Hundred

Chapter 23

Do-or-die Resistance / Return of Hayato / Master"s Special Move

Members of the Selection team including Claire, Liddy, Erika, Emilia and others were gathering in the city of Sangria in preparation for the imminent ma.s.sive invasion. All of them have already been deployed their Hundred, and are preparing for interception.

[Slayers deployed in Sangria, from now on Little Garden is entering in an interception stance!]

– Understood desuwa. We will also start to continuously shoot.

Claire answers the contact from Chris. Following those words, each Slayer turned their gun at the sky. Unlike the Savage so far, the next invasion is predicted to be simultaneous. Three dreadnaught, and three Trenta.

Six anti-aircraft missiles released from Little Garden rose to the sky and drew six flowers in the sky. Matching to that sign, Claire and the others also begins to shoot.

[Confirming the annihilation of all Savages" defensive membranes! Now, commence to move, extermination unit!]

– Well then Liddy, Erika, let"s go masuwayo!

Talking to them, Claire kept on.

– Range team, please keep shooting to the Savages to divert them. In addition, the Slayers of the extermination team, together with us, will aim at the core of the Savage. Got it? I will not give detailed instructions. I will leave it to your judgment based on your experience already masuwa.

All the members present answered with a "Yes".

– A good cheerful reply desuwa. This is predicted to be the last invasion around Sangria. Nevertheless, fight until the end without losing your focus, let"s all be soaked in rejoice with the victory of mankind!

Screaming, the first one that jumped out is Claire. She returns the Buster Cannon that she had at hand to the six floating batteries, and use them as a thruster, to approach it, being one hundred meters of the dreadnaught type. Therefore, detaching the thruster as six floating batteries which is its original function― she deployed them surrounding the Savage and commenced to attack. It is an attack with a beam following the shock of the fall. The dreadnaught type cannot take movement.

It is Emilia that attacks there.

She reduces the guns in the hand to particles, release energy from the thruster of the Air Ride, and quickly gets closer to the dreadnaught type―then creates a huge sickle with Arms Shroud and swings it downwards to the defensive barrier of the head.

– Deeih!

The tip of the sickle destroys the defensive barrier, and reaches the core. While spurting out a large amount of liquid of fluorescent color, one of the dreadnaught type sinks to the ground. Two dreadnaught types and three Trenta remain.

– I"ll kill that Trenta! So Prez, take care of another Trenta!

Emilia reduces the sickle into particles while shouting and changes it to a bow. The other Slayers are launching an attack on the Trenta that is beyond the line of sight. To support that, Emilia fired an arrow of energy that explodes at the same time it comes in contact with. An explosion occurs at the head of the Savage. It couldn"t do much damage to the defensive barrier, and as it raised the scissors overhead, the huge Savage trembles, its attack is suspended. Looking for that gap, the other Slayers set off an attack on the defensive barrier. Emilia also goes full throttle with the thruster, returns the bow to a sickle to attack the defensive barrier as well.

She flies towards the position of the Trenta.

– I cannot lose either.

Erika and Liddy battle the dreadnaught. Claire, as Emilia told her, sets one of the remaining three Trenta as her target, and gets closer with the six floating batteries as a thruster at once.

***

[Hayato-kun. Kisaragi Hayato-kun…]

Hayato woke up with a resounding voice inside the transport plane. The figure of Charlotte is reflected on a monitor that is grounded in front of him.

– Aah, good morning, Charlotte-san. What, what"s the matter?

While rubbing his eyes, Hayato asks.

[I have to ask you something, it"s just a minute. First of all, morning, Hayato-kun. The transport on which you are now is cruising smoothly over the Pacific Ocean. It will arrive in Little Garden in about one hour]

– Is that so…?

[Now, to the main topic. Little Garden is now in the middle of a Savage"s attack in the city of Sangria. Moreover, the situation is not too good]

– "Not too good", what do you mean with that situation?

[At any rate, their numbers are too many. Even though we were able to beat most of the Savages, thanks to the excellent Slayers, including Liddy and the gang of three people, three more Trenta and three dreadnaught type invaded Little Garden. Claire and Emilia are also in a state of sortie. We almost exhausted all of our pieces. Thereupon, I earnestly request a favor to you]

– As soon as I arrive, am I going to sortie too?

[It depends on the circ.u.mstances from now on, can you?]

– Well, I think I"m okay.

He"s been sleeping for a while, so there seems to be no particular problem with his physical condition.

[Then, be prepared. Even you are exhausted due to the combat on Yamato. However the best thing would be for you to not come out. If I don"t have prepare a trump card, my nature will not settle down]

– Understood. I will prepare properly so that I can fulfill the expectations if I must go out.

Charlotte smiled happily listening to that reply of Hayato.

[In this little more than half a year, you are a considerable splendid Slayer that I"ve met so far. I am very happy that you are a member of Little Garden]

– Is that so?

[Indeed― Well then, make sure to come in contact as soon as you approach Little Garden. Until then, please take care of the preparations, as I requested]

***

In the collapsed city of Sangria, the war with the Savages continued.

Erika and Liddy against one of the dreadnaught.

Emilia with a Trenta, and a dreadnaught type.

A total of four Savages have already been exterminated. The one remaining is another Trenta. Then abruptly, there was a communication from Chris.

[Everyone, please be careful! A huge UNKNOWN is approaching from the sky. It is a spherical ma.s.s of about thirty meters in length. I can"t make the distinction if it is a Savage!]

– Eh? Then this is not the end of the attack!?

Emilia cried unexpectedly and looked up at the sky. Claire looks up at the sky in the same way. Then, they were able to see a huge object falling from the sky.

– Oh, that"s the UNKNOWN desuno…? Erika, can you grasp it?

– Umm…

Erika expanded the flying object with a monitor embedded in the gla.s.ses and answered while checking.

– I can"t confirm it, but it seems like a meteorite. It doesn"t look like a Savage…

– In case the meteorite is a Variable Stone, I don"t want to destroy it.

Claire put her hand on her mouth, in a troubled appearance.

[But, if it falls to the ground, a huge crater can be made on the ground]

That"s what Chris said.

[Of course, the impact may result in a huge earthquake, and depending on the scale, not only the city, but including the surroundings, there"s a possibility that all will be annihilated in an instant]

– That means that there is no choice but to destroy it.

[Claire-sama, the decision is―]

– No, there is no need to destroy it.

Who affirmed that was Liddy, fighting with the remaining Trenta.

– That "there is no need to", what in the world do you intend to do desuno?

– I will stop the UNKNOWN!

Liddy pulled her arm and sent flying to the back the ma.s.sive Savage in front of her with Midgard Schrange.

– To stop it, you say, a total length of thirty meters, are you sure desuwayo?

– If I deploy an E barrier with all my energy, it should not be impossible. Erika, tell me the falling point.

– That place is three hundred and fifty two meters west, and two hundred and twenty meters south… are you really going to stop it?

– Uh huh, it should be worth a try.

Liddy heads to the falling point using the thruster. And reduces Midgard Shcrange to particles―. Then she put her free hands in the sky and deploys an E barrier. Claire and the others held their mouths from gulping watching attentively, as the gigantic meteorite contacted Liddy"s deployed E barrier.

– Guh, uuh….!!

The impact of UNKNOWN which has fallen from s.p.a.ce, is considerable. Liddy has an expression of anguish. Still, she did not give up.

– Uuoooooooooh!

When Liddy gave a loud voice, a large amount of energy was released from the thruster of the Air Ride so as to raise the E barrier throughout the body.

However, the E barrier cracked. It collapses in an instant, the E barrier breaks apart and the UNKNOWN falls to the earth.

– Liddy!

Claire gave a sorrowful voice.

Fortunately, there is little damage to the earth"s surface, since the E barrier developed by Liddy almost absorbed the falling energy of the meteorite. Following the slight earthquake, a cloud of dust raised.

– Claire-sama, she is okay. Liddy was able to avoid it at the last moment.

Claire took a breath feeling relieved, after hearing the calm voice of Liddy. Then, she asks a question through the wireless.

– Liddy, can you hear me? Please answer if you are safe and sound.

[I can hear you, Claire-sama. I"m fine]

Almost at the same time as the reply came, Liddy appeared from the cloud of dust. It looks like she is pretty tired.

– …I"m sorry, Claire-sama. I almost exhausted my energy now, I can"t bring back my weapon.

– Liddy, you don"t have to apologize. You did it well. Nevertheless, what is that desuno…?

Claire gazed at the mysterious object that could clearly see as the cloud of dust has become thin. It looks like a huge meteorite, but it has a lot of holes.

– What on earth are those holes desuno?

Claire approaches to the mysterious meteorite to confirm what"s inside the holes. Suddenly, all the holes began to overflow with golden light.

– Eh? What on earth, that"s…!

Emilia, who was trying to put an attack on the Savage which Liddy sent flying on the vicinity, also shouted instinctively, soshe stopped her movements, looking at the huge meteorite that looks like the pattern of a speckles in golden light.

Moreover, that huge ore rose up from the earth"s surface.

– Everyone prepare to defend! I have a bad feeling about this.

The presentiment of Erika was right. The ore stopped at about one meter from ground surface, and while spinning and floating lightly, fired beams intermittently. Naturally it damaged not only Claire, Erika and Liddy, but also Emilia and the other Slayers.

– Kuh, really, what in the world is that desunoyo!

Claire uses the thruster to fly upward. Then she talked to Liddy, who is avoiding the beam from the mysterious object that lies on the ground.

– Liddy, you are an injured Slayer, please leave this place together with the Slayers whose energy have run out just like you!

– But, Claire-sama…. That, my responsibility…

– That might be true, but you won"t be able to defeat it now. It is part of the duties as Vice-President to safely protect the allies.

– …I see, understood.

Liddy obediently withdraws, and called out to the allies on the wireless.

She says something that the objective to the people is to retreat together.

– When it becomes like this, it can"t be helped.

Despite being damaged, Claire descends to the rooftop of a building that is somehow still in shape and converts the six floating batteries into particles―once again, she made Buster Cannon. Of course, the target is the mysterious object.

– With this, I will destroy it―

Claire poured energy into Buster Cannon"s muzzle towards the mysterious object, and tried to release a bombardment. In that moment, from the mysterious object something came out one after another from its direction.

– Are those, bees?

Seeing that she remembered it, that Vitaly made Hornet type Savage.

(Are these things also artificial? No, they are different masuwa…!)

Their length is about fifty centimeters, the steel sh.e.l.l covering the body is the same black as the Savage. Speaking of different things, it can be seen that the golden shining core is in the abdomen, and that the color of the pattern is a systematic color. In other words, it actually means than that Savage of the Hornet type existed. Moreover, Claire is attacked by four dozens of them all at once.

– …kuh!

The mysterious object loses its light, and fell to the ground. It doesn"t emit beams anymore. That means that the light and beams would have been due to the Hornet type Savage that was hanging inside. Then, there"s no point in shooting to that thing anymore. Claire returns Buster Cannon to the six floating batteries, and attempts to shoot the Hornet type.

But the movement of the Hornet type is light and fast.

– Kuh…n! Kuah, aaaah!

The beam emitted from the head can be prevented with E barrier, but the problem is the needle attack. It can be done if it were one, but if they are gathered it is impossible to defend against it. Claire"s Variable Suit suddenly was torn down by the cuts.

She is also bleeding from the skin.

(Furthermore this, the Variant Virus can flow in masuwane…)

Seeing that, the areas around the wounds were dyed blue.  Those are just grazes. But it can turn into something serious if she gets stabbed.

[Prez, you need help?]

It"s a communication from Emilia who"s in a battle with a Trenta.

– That"s not necessary! Because I ordered to Liddy that I will to stop it, then I will deal with it. You and the rest, go away!

Cried Claire, using the six floating batteries as a thruster, to separate once again from the Hornet type.

(It can"t be helped if it have become to this…)

In order to protect herself, there"s no choice than to be in full armament.

– Here I go masuwayo, full armament!

Fierce energy was radiated from the body of Claire. The thick armor covers the body in no time.

(This seems like if it was a match desuwane)

The Hornet types were hesitant to attack on the glow of intense energy during transformation, so rushed to attack Claire again. Looking at that figure, Claire relaxed her mouth as planned. There"s no choice but to counter numbers with numbers.

If that"s the case―

Petals!

When Claire shouted, > Petals were fired from each of the six floating batteries. Six floating batteries, and twelve small floating batteries.

It"s an attack with a total of sixteen floating batteries*. Claire shoots down the Hornet type Savages one after another.

*TN: Maybe there are two that won"t attack as are being used as a thruster?

– Fuu… I have managed it somehow desuwane…

After shooting down all the Hornet type Savages, Claire breathed feeling relieved at the center of the dead bodies.

[Claire-sama, are you all right?]

It"s a communication from Erika.

– I got a little injured, but it"s no more than this degree. Apart from that, I must do something about that Savage―

Claire, who reduced the floating batteries to particles, puts energy on the Buster Cannon that she created. However, the target is the Trenta that is in battle with Emilia. If she releases a bombardment at full power in this situation, she will also get involved in that.

– Emilia, step aside!

Claire jumped high, shouting as the energy filling was over.

Emilia was timing the moment to attack with the axe created by Arms Shroud while dodging the swung down scissors, but in response to that voice, she confirms the figure of Claire with a fleeting glance. Thereupon, she seems to understand what Claire is about to do.

Immediately after reducing the axe to particles and creating two gun barrels, Emilia released energy all at once and quickly emerged to the sky in a blink of an eye. There is no obstacle between Claire and the Trenta.

– Here I go, full power bombardment!

Claire shot a bunch of concentrated lights from Buster Cannon.

It is brilliant, it goes through the bodies and cores of each Savage respectively.

– Seems like everything is done with this desuwane.

At the same time Claire lands, she dropped her shoulders and sighed. What suddenly entered there was a communication from Chris.

[It"s terrible, Claire-sama!]

– …what is it, so suddenly desuno?

There was no introduction. In addition, as his voice was quite impatient, Claire"s facial expression became meek in an instant.

[The threat of new Savage is coming after Sangria]

– What are you saying desuno? Just a short time ago, it was the last one…

[Is just as you say, but it seems that it suddenly appeared in the void of s.p.a.ce. That reaction was caught by >. The enemies are three Trenta, and the measures estimates that it will fall in the vicinity of Claire-sama]

– Three Trenta, you say…

Claire"s facial expression is dyed in despair. There"s no doubt that they have to deal with three more Trenta in a state close to their limits―.

[We are currently investigating in cooperation with the Liberian s.p.a.ce Station whether other similar phenomena and new Savages are appearing]

– …kuh.

Claire bites her lips with a severe expression and asks Chris.

– What"s the level of energy left of Erika and Emilia Hermit?

[It is a little more than of Claire-sama]

– Thank you very much. I grasped the situation.

Honestly harsh. That is the real intention.

– Three more of them, we will manage it somehow. Maybe I"ll have to absolutely make my best effort too.

Emilia, who lands on the side of Claire, made a gun with Arms Shroud, the shape of her mouth was broadly grinning, showing composure. Words of "don"t you agree?" were looking at the expression of Claire.

– Perhaps we will have to rely on your seriousness, as Kisaragi Hayato is not here now. In that case, please take care of them masuwa.

Claire smiles with a puff to Emilia"s consideration and starts to put energy on Buster Cannon that she is holding.

– I think Prez will be surprised too. But, it would have been better to not want to use it if possible. Besides the Prez still has a method to use the power of Variant.

– …about that, I want to avoid it if possible, though.

The power of Variant received from Kisaragi Hayato has never been used since >. She doesn"t know if she can control it skillfully to that extent.

[You should be able to see the Savages soon. Everyone, good luck on the battlefield!]

– Well then, let"s go!

– Yeah, as you say.

Emilia and Claire, who had become in a posture similar to back to back, looked at each other"s faces and smiled in unison, and pointed the muzzles to the sky together.

***

After finishing his meal, a bread that he got when he left Yamato, Hayato, who changed his clothes to Variable Suit, was stretching on the sheet laid on the floor on the rear part of the transport.

[Kisaragi-san, a transmission from Dr. Charlotte]

It is a transmission from the pilot who"s planning on arriving at Little Garden in a bit more.

– Understood. Please transfer it.

When Hayato said so, the figure of Charlotte appeared on the monitor in front of him.

[Hayato-kun, I"m afraid to say you"ll have to sortie]

– That means that, the situation is bad?

[The battle took over a long period of time, all the energy of the Slayers deployed in the city of Sangria, including Claire, Emilia Erika and Liddy are running out. Moreover, the opponents they are fighting are three Trenta. There are three invading, after the six of before.

– In other words, I have no choice but to manage this situation.

[That"s how it is. However there is no plan to withdraw temporarily until the reinforcements are ready, the Savages for the time being are aiming at Little Garden. Thanks to the shield generated by > we have prevented the attacks so far, but I would like to avoid getting any more damage, if possible]

She did not say it clearly, but what she means is that she doesn"t want to consume Liza"s energy anymore.

[We do have other trump cards so you don"t need to get worked up. But, I think that I want you to decide it by yourself if possible. Those trump cards, are too harmful]

– …okay. Then, I"ll adhere to your instructions.

[We will be saved if you accept to do so. The invasion on the outskirts of Sangria of the three should be over. Therefore, I request you to do your best]

Hayato walks towards the hatch in the frontal part of the transport plane. On the way, he pa.s.sed to the side of Touka. She was sleeping profoundly on a chair that was brought down like a bed. She looks very pleasant.

– I"ll leave her like that. Could you please open the hatch?

When Hayato said so, the co-pilot came out and opened the hatch.

– Take care of Touka.

– Of course, I will deliver her firmly to Dr. Charlotte. Other than that, are you really leaving from here? Is it okay if it"s not landing?

– I already experienced to fall in this way, so.

Hayato leans out of the hatch and checks the situation on the battlefield. There was a height of about fifty meters, but he could see the president and Emilia who were fighting the Trenta.

(Such a way to fight that she has, huh…)

Hayato is dumbfounded. Emilia injected energy fiercely to the thruster instead of shooting from all of the missile pods towards the Trenta who was about to bombard towards Little Garden. > Purge the Outer from the attacked body and shoots to the Savage.

Splendidly, it hits the Trenta. The Savage tumbles, and temporarily stops moving. However, the external armament is worn out, and it"s unlikely to be able to attach it again.

[Hayato-kun, I forgot to mention one thing]

Charlotte"s voice echoes in the transport machine.

[Right now, your energy is only about half of usual. Therefore, I want you to avoid fighting for too long. Got it?]

– Got it.

The opponents are three Trenta.

That was why Hayato was going to go with all his power. He has no choice but to decide the victory in an instant.

– Ok then, I"m going!

Hayato took out two Hundred from the neck case, and grasped tightly both of them in each hand, and jumped.

It looks like he got accustomed to the sky due to Air Ride. There is also certainty that he is able and that he can deploy the armament. Because of that, there was not much to fear.

– HUNDRED ON!

Hayato shouted while falling to the ground. His body is instantly wrapped in red particles which is the color of his energy.

Suddenly full armament― and > Dual Act. Hayato has a black sword and a white sword, and falls down to the Trenta that is battling with Claire and a.s.saults it with his swords.

– Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

Hayato"s eyes shone in golden color. It is the release of the power of Variant.

– That"s….!

– Hayato, it is Hayato!

Claire and Emilia gave their voices one after another. At the same time, the two swords of Hayato were swung down to the head of the Trenta.

The attack of the slash combining it with the speed of the fall, it can be guessed that it was pretty powerful. The large build of the Trenta sinks in the earth, its defensive barriers and its core are destroyed as a matter of course.

– Hayato, why are you here!?

Emilia rushed to Hayato whose shoulders are up and down, with a *Haa* *Haa*, and with the swords in a swung downward posture. Hayato"s eyes color have already returned to their original black.

– I dropped off from the transport plane on the way back from Yamato. I heard from Charlotte that you and the president"s energy are near the limit.

– It was just like that.

The president also came closer to Hayato when he noticed.

– President, leave it to me from here on. I will manage the two that remain.

– What are you getting on with that tone masuno? Even we can still fight masuwa. Isn"t it, Emilia?

– Of course.

Emilia responded gladly to Claire"s appeal. Erica"s voice echoes there.

– Claire-sama, one of the Savages has decided to aim for us!

Hayato crawled and looked around because of that voice. It is the figure of a Trenta that jumped in his field of vision and which just opened its head.

– Kuh!

Hastily, Emilia made a gun with Arms Shroud, aimed and shot out. However, there seems to be no effect on the Trenta.

– If that"s the case, then I"ll do it!

Claire also tries to shoot at the Trenta with Buster Cannon. But Hayato stopped her.

– It"s okay, president. I will stop the bombardment of that Savage.

– Wha―!

And then, in a moment. Hayato who kicked the ground was approaching the bosom of Trenta. And in addition to that, he releases the power of the Variant.

– Take thiiiiiiiiiiis!

Hayato, who has dyed his eyes in golden color, slashed with his two swords on the abdomen of the Trenta, which is about to release a bombardment.

Not only stopped the bombardment, but Hayato sent flying away the large sized Trenta about two hundred meters to the back. Hayato tries to pursue it, but the Trenta immediately recovers its stance and swings up its right-handed scissors in order to knock down Hayato who"s aiming at the defensive barrier.

– Guh…!

Hayato tried to block the swept-off scissors with his two swords, but their weight and momentum threw him to the ground. The length of the Trenta"s scissors are more than five meters, so their weight will not be less than one hundred kilos.

– Kisaragi Hayato!

Claire raises her voice with a grim expression on her face. On the other hand, Emilia was not perturbed at all.

– He is fine, Prez. If it"s Hayato in an unleashed state, there should be nothing to worry.

Immediately after Emilia said that, reflected in Claire"s eyes is the big body of the Trenta that is launched to the skies from within the cloud of dust. Like a small spinning object, it falls while rotating in the air many times, and slams on the ground from the back.

As soon as the Trenta reverses its body and tries to get up, there already, Hayato who jumped high was swinging up the two swords at the same time, approaching.

– This guy too!

Hayato swiftly swung downward the two blades with enormous energy, destroying the defensive barrier and the core.

– …one, guy left, huh.

At the same time that he lands, he turned his eyes to the remaining Trenta. However, his body is staggering. To control the state of Variant, it consumes considerable physical strength and force of will.

The limit was already approaching.

(Even so, I have to do it!)

Hayato kicked the ground and tried to attack the remaining Trenta.

To shorten the distance, he jumps targeting the core. But, in the middle of that, a shook came before his eyes, and Hayato collapsed on the ground. At the same time the pupils return to black, the white sword and the black sword―. Not only the two swords extinguished, Hayato"s armed state was cancelled.

– Hayato, are you okaay!?

In a panic Emilia rushed to Hayato, and holds up his body in her arms.

– I guess so. But, it looks like I can"t fight anymore…

– Along with the power of Variant, the energy has also run out. Apart from that, Hayato. Is that, you used the power of Variant in Yamato too?

– …yeah, a lot of things happened.

– As I thought. If it"s the usual Hayato, he should be able to continue the state of Variant while controlling if for a long time properly. If that"s the case―.

Emilia put her hands on the cheeks of Hayato. And, she kissed him.

– Chuu… nnh… chuu…

It"s a long kiss that extended for several seconds.

– Yo- you, what are you doing in a place like this so suddenly…!

At the same time Emilia released her mouth, Hayato screamed with his face turned red.

– That"s right desuwayo, what are you doing desuu!

Claire who was petrified by looking at the two kissing, also screams with her face bright red.

– It can"t be helped. Because it"s the best to do it like this. How about you, Hayato? Are you feeling a little better now?

– Oh…!

Certainly it is as Emilia says. The heaviness of his body is disappearing.

– Thanks, Emilia.

– Ehehe, my pleasure.

– … umm, Emilia.

– What?

– Behind you.

– …eh?

The facial expression of Emilia who looked over her shoulder, became stiff. The Trenta was right behind her and it was raising its scissors.

– Good grief, you guys!

Claire released energy shots consecutively from Buster Cannon that she had in her arms.

*DON* *DON*, explosions occurred on the head of the Trenta. For a moment, the movement of the scissors ceased and Trenta turned its face to Claire. But immediately turns to Hayato and Emilia, and swings downward the scissors once again.

– Please leave this to me― > Everlasting!

Erika who created a pink chain in her hands shoots it and wraps it around the arms of the Trenta.

– Claire-sama, shoot it as I am containing it now! Emilia and Hayato, please escape immediately!

– I know masuwa! With all my strength, this is end!

Claire pours energy into Buster Cannon. An alert sounds and shows that energy is almost already depleted, it"s an opportunity for Erika to do it even if it takes a lot of effort. This is not the place to care about that. If they defeat this Trenta, everything will be over. Even if her energy is zero, she must hold it there.

– …h, kuh!

Erika"s expression is distorted by pain. Due to the Trenta showing resistance, her arms with chains were approaching their limits. But Claire"s Buster Cannon"s energy filling rate is still seventy percent. It"s no way enough to destroy the core of the Trenta with its defensive barriers.

– Kyaah!?

At seventy five percent, the limit finally arrived for Erika.  She, who lost before the power of Trenta"s arm, her body was lifted together with her chain, and immediately was knocked down hard to the ground.

– Kuah!

Cracks enter to the lens of the gla.s.ses, they hang to further being crushed. But she is still keeping her state of armament, her body moves twitchingly, it can be said that she was spared. It seems that she is trying to contain that body. The Trenta extends the scissors to the body of Erika.

– Stop it!

Claire aims at the large build of her enemy and released the beam. To that extent, she couldn"t pull apart Erika from the Trenta. It was possible to break through the barrier developed on the surface of the steel sh.e.l.l, but it did a mere scratch on it.

– Kuh…!

Claire shows a regrettable facial expression. The scissors of the Trenta touch Erika and lift her body.

– Erika-san!

– Erika!

Hayato and Claire. One can wonder if she regained her mind with the sorrowful screams of the two of them.

Erica"s eyelids opened. It seems she finally grasped the situation.

– Kisaragi Hayato and… Claire-sama…? I am… kuh…!

Erika develops an E barrier around her body so that the scissors won"t crush her. On the contrary, she tries to open the scissors with the power of the energy as it is, but she couldn"t do that. Her body is lifted in a position higher than the head of the Trenta. And the head of that just opened. What can be seen inside is a muzzle.

(Don"t tell me, its intention is to shoot to Erika-san?)

However, it was not that. The muzzle starts to morph and changes its shape. Sharp teeth appear, and something like a tongue is shown.

– That thing, no way…

Claire is in a state of bewilderment. The scissors in its arms transformed into gun-like things, and she knew that it was rare for a Savage to change from a turret inside the mouth to a gatling gun.

And so she heard that among them there were those that turned something into a tongue inside their mouths. So that means that those are individuals who eat people. In this situation, one of them have appeared―.

At that time, Hayato remembered something.

(That"s right, at that time too…)

It was in Gudenburg, ten years ago. The Savage which captured Emilia at that time, he remembered that there was something like teeth, a mouth and a tongue instead of a muzzle on the head.

– Ah, aaah….!

Emilia was trembling next to Hayato. The Trenta keeps approaching its head, in order to eat Erika.

– Ua, ah…aaah…

The voice continues to leak bit by bit from the mouth of Emilia. Becoming aware of that, she crumbles down to the ground from her knees.

– Hey, Emilia, be strong! If you aren"t, we will not be able to save Erika-san!

– …tsu, sorry, Hayato… if you move from here, I may not be able to stay as me…. So, Hayato…

– Ah…!

Hayato noticed that Emilia"s eyes are dying in golden color.

(Maybe, the ability of the Variant is running wildly?)

*DOKUN*, the heart of Hayato throbbed.

Even himself, if he awakes the Variant now that is in an exhausted state, it may run out of control. But still, they need to save the Vice-president―.

– Kisaragi Hayato, Emilia Hermit. In the case that you want to use the power of the Variant, then I will do it masuwa.

With that voice, Hayato is taken aback.

Last summer, >. When Hayato shared the Variant"s power with a kiss.

– With the power of the Variant, even though the strength goes beyond the limit and the energy is temporary, you will be able to withdraw, don"t you agree? And thereupon, I will punch the body of the Savage, and save Erika masuwa!

– No, what are you saying, President!? It is dangerous to do such a thing. To begin with, the power of the Variant is dangerous…

– Erika, I promised something a long time ago. As long as I stay by your side, no matter what happens, I will absolutely save you. For that reason, I will do whatever it takes masuwa. This, you will not die. That is my promise to Erika. So, kiss me to―

– Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

Hayato was surprised to that voice, which suddenly jumped into his ear. The same is true for Claire who was talking, and for Emilia who was running out of control.

– That voice of now…

Hayato turns his line of sight towards the voice approaching from afar.

Hem with a black sword in her hand, he was able to see a little girl who dashes through the ground while shaking her ponytails like a flame.

– Why is she, here in this place…?

– Hayato, do you know that girl?

– Ah, uh huh…

Touka jumped high with the huge Trenta"s corpse as a foothold, and slashed from above to the arm of the Trenta that seizes Erika.

If it is an ordinary sword it will definitely be broken, and if it is an ordinary slash, the hand will be numb or it will be bounced back. But what Touka is holding is the sword that Hokuto, the father of the girl made, and a slash practiced and worked out by Ryūsei that she released. So even though she couldn"t cut the arm, it seems that she managed to loosen its strength. In that gap, Erika puts effort on both arms and opens the scissors of the Trenta.

Erika"s body falls to the ground. And almost at the same time. Touka, who landed first, stood in front of the Trenta and held the sword high in the sky.

– Take thiis!

The sword once again swung down swiftly, and knocks down the large body of the Trenta backwards.

– Kisaragi Hayato, don"t tell me that girl"s…

It seems like Claire, who had already been told about Touka, have felt something.

Hayato shook vertically his head as if it were that.

– Hayato, that!

– Huh?

As a result of Emilia screaming loudly, Hayato suddenly notices that Touka, who was trying to pursue the Trenta, is holding her shoulder, and falls to her knees.

The wounds of the wild dog that attacked on that occasion seemed to throb.

– Hey, are you okay!?

– Shinshishō! Don"t worry about me. Leaving that aside, use this―.

Touka threw the sword that she had in her hand to Hayato.

– This is…

Hayato received the sword that the father of Touka made, a sword that he forged.

– I"m afraid to say that I"m not able to fight any further. However, Shinshishō can still move. So, I leave the rest to you.

– That"s, is it possible for me to do the Zaneizan with this sword?

– Of course!

The blood begins to blot on the bandage and while pressing the right shoulder with her hand, Touka continues.

– If it is Shinshishō, he will definitely be able to do it. At any rate, Shinshishō is, my Shinshishō!

Hayato unexpectedly smiles to those things that she said, and he doesn"t know whether if she has persuasive power or not.

– Fine. I"m gonna try. About why are you here, you will tell me later, okay?

Hayato readies his sword, and glares at the Trenta.

(This feeling, it"s been a long time ago)

Although he is wearing a Variable Jacket*, and his energy is nearly exhausted, in the end Hayato is not a normal human being. He can neither accelerate nor jump by using energy.

(But, there is no other way!)

Hayato kicked the ground. He jumped with the corpse of the Savage as a foothold, just as it was done by Touka.

In response to the attack of Touka, he swung the sword towards the shelter of the Trenta which is currently in a forward-bent posture.

– Eat this, from my master! A sword technique created by Kenzaki Ryūsei― Secret Style Sword Technique, Zaneizan!!

Starts with a one long sword―.

At the moment when the slash collided with the resistance of the shelter, he once again released a second long sword.

– You did it!

Touka shouted at the sight of the shelter crumbling like sand. However, the core has not been destroyed yet.

Of course Hayato also noticed that.

– Then, I will do it one more time!

The ability of Variant of Hayato was coming back due to the kiss with Emilia. Those eyes shine in a golden color. At the same time the world changed into slow motion.

(I"ll do it! I can do it!)

Believing so, he draw the sword a second time, and thrust the tip towards the core. A sensation of destruction is transmitted to the hand.

(It looks like I managed to do it, I suppose)

It was a fleeting moment of feeling relieved. The color of the eyes returns to normal, and the movement of the world also goes back. Along with the collapse of the large build, Hayato"s body also fell to the ground.

– This really hurts…

Naturally, he couldn"t land properly. Claire and Emilia come closer to Hayato who destroyed the balance of his body with all his strength and falls on his backside to the ground.

– You did it, Hayato.

– Well, in a way or another, it was thanks to… this…

Hayato got shocked by looking at the sword that he had in his hand. The blade of that was broken. Then exactly at that, Touka come along while holding her shoulder.

– That is…

Looking at the sword broken in half, her eyes are rounded.

– It"s bad, because of me, has ended up like this.

Maybe the sword technique was not perfect? Or, was it because the power of the Variant was too much? He doesn"t know.

– Shinshishō, the sword―.

To the hand that was presented, he handed over the sword. Touka looked at the broken sword in her hand, and stared to the broken sword with a sorrow look on her face.

– Surely, Chichi-ue is pleased. This sword too, it"s satisfied to be broken in battle, while protecting the earth from the Savage….

Touka crouches down completely, and picks up the broken blade.

While touching it and brushing it gently, she continues her words.

– Besides, originally, it is also my fault because I appeared in this place. So, you don"t have to worry, Shinshishō.

– Oh, you are right. You, why are you here…?

[That, I can explain it]

It is a forced communication from Charlotte.

[She awoke right after Hayato-kun jumped off the transport plane. She begged me to drop off as well. Otherwise she would have jumped off forcibly from here]

– You, why do you have you have to do such unreasonable things…

– Shinshishō have helped me, right? Then, if something happened to Shinshishō, I thought that I had to help him.

– So, Charlotte-san told the pilot to drop Touka?

[I told him that it was good only if she can see from the top of the cliff a bit away. I never thought that it would end up like this, you know?]

That said, Charlotte laughed.

– You must be kidding, Charlotte Dimandius. That"s the thing about you. Anyway, you antic.i.p.ated this, am I correct?

[Well, rather than using you or Emilia that could run wild, and therefore use the power of the songs of Karen and Sakura, I thought that it would be nice to have the Savage defeated with her power. As a result, it was Hayato-kun, and his power who broke the sword. Finally, Kenzaki Touka―]

– Ah, yes!

[That sword, show it to me later. Perhaps repairs are possible. Only if you wish for that]

– Ah, yes!

Touka nods happily. Following that, Hayato said.

– At any rate, I"m glad everyone are safe. Because as this was called the Third Attack, I thought that this would be more of a serious matter.

It is ten years since the Second Attack. During that time, is it possible that the mankind have gotten stronger because of the Hundred?

Although it was too much of a hard fight, the battle of this time progressed steadily, but Hayato still has an uncomfortable feeling for some reason. ― And,

– From such a thing, I have something that I want to ask to Hayato.

Suddenly Emilia pinches his cheek, and Hayato raised his voice.

– Ouch, what are you doing!?

– Who on earth is that girl? Why in the world is she calling you "Shinshishō"? There are a lot of things that I want to ask so, won"t you begin to explain them to me?