Hundred
/ Hundred Volume 15 Chapter 2
– What really is this, is this a town…?
Immediately after the Slayers of the capture team controlled the propulsion devices and floating devices and descended to the surface of《Planet X》.
Latia muttered while looking around.
– Either way, this looks like a ruined town, isn't it…?
Aila spoke in an undertone, looking around like her.
Hayato was also surveying the surroundings.
He thought the same as Aila when he saw something like a building during their descent, and as expected, that thought seemed to not be in the wrong.
The place the Slayers of the capture team spotted in the air and descended like being attracted to it.
It was the center of the town on the surface of《Planet X》——although missiles exploded on it. Did the Savages attack it? Did a major earthquake occur as well?
In any case, it was a totally dead town.
– No way, the Buster Cannon of the prez did something like…
– Emilia Hermit! Don't you dare to say such a thing as a joke masenwayo!
– Ahaha, my bad, my bad.
Emilia showed a mischievous smile to Claire whose face was dyed deep red in anger.
That was, of course, no more than a joke.
In the first place, the beam of Claire didn't reach the ground surface, and if that was the case, then a sufficient cloud of dust and debris still should be whirling in the air.
However, and judging from the situation, the town collapsed long ago——.
It looked like historic ruins, so to speak.
– Even so, the fact that there was a town like this here means that someone was living in this place, correct?
The one who said so was Ryuuto.
Aila gave a different opinion.
– But there's no oxygen here now, no?
With a prior explanation that not only Aila, but Hayato and everyone heard from Charlotte, the surface of《Planet X》had a small amount of oxygen, but it wasn`t to a level where the earthlings and the Notre Damians could use to consume.
Since they were taking oxygen capsules, they were able to remain calm like the were doing now, but properly speaking, it was an impossible thing.
A normal life was impossible in such a place.
– But, maybe someone used to be here a long time ago, don't you think? Besides, it's not that oxygen is the only thing necessary to sustain the life of intelligent life of this planet.
– That view is also reasonable desuwane.
Claire sais so, in any case, and with just this scenario, it was unknown to them whether there was intelligent life living in this planet or not.
Speaking of what they knew, it was about the possibility that it existed.
It was within their estimations since there were attacks against them when they drew near《Planet X》. Was that going to be a problem or not now? Yes, it was going to be a problem.
– It does not seem that there is danger around us for now desuwane. Let's report to Charlotte for now.
After Claire cancelled the armament, she decided to send a call request to《Charlotte No. 1》——the spaceship they could no longer confirm as it was in a high place over their heads.
– This is Claire Harvey. Do you hear me, Charlotte Dimandius?
『Yeah, I hear you』
A reply from Charlotte returned immediately.
– We have just arrived at the surface of《Planet X》.
In that manner, and while Claire began to report to Charlotte.
Emilia, Latia, Aila, Ryuuto and Hayato also canceled the armaments like Claire did. Hayato decided to detach the Space Ride too because it was difficult to walk around carrying that on his back.
After a while, it seemed that the conversation between Claire and Charlotte ended just when Hayato finished detaching the Space Ride.
Hayato and the others immediately decided to listen to the contents of the conversation of Charlotte from Claire.
When the Savages on top of the barrier and the Olfred brothers started fighting and when Charlotte confirmed the surface of the planet, they couldn't detect something like historic ruins——.
This meant that the exploration satellite of New Planet Notre Dame Government couldn't find the "historic ruins" where they were now.
In other words, it appeared as if this place, as if these historic ruins were truly what they meant.
– Since that is the case, then we just have to be careful deshitawa.
At any rate, that didn't change the exploration of《Planet X》 .
The capture team started exploring while observing their surroundings thoroughly.
With the Space Ride as the landmark, they started moving towards the center of the town and when two, three minutes passed——and by discovering some things, the whole capture team decided to stop their feet all together.
– Hayato-san, this is…
– It looks like a robot to me.
It was as Hayato had said.
What was in front of his gaze was something that looked like a humanoid robot.
Nonetheless, it wasn't completely shaped like a human being.
It had a sort of pair of legs, but its size was around 1.5 times bigger than of an adult male, and it had a trace of being completely round.
It had one eye, like a manipulator that could only grab.
Judging from its appearance, it looked like the type of robot that was the partner of the good mankind, but it was missing some parts of its body, and there was no sign of movement at all.
It was evident that it was broken.
The voice of Emilia that reached Hayato who was fixedly staring at such robot.
– Look, Hayato! There are here too!
– Here as well.
When Hayato confirmed those following the calls of Emilia and Latia, it turned out that there were 5 robots just within their visible range.
(Were these robots the inhabitants of this town?)
Or, were they the robots that were with the residents who lived in this town?
They couldn't get to a conclusion yet.
– Let's stroll around a bit more. If we do so, we may find something else masenwa.
Saying so, and following Claire who started walking, Hayato and the others started advancing to the center of the town while surveying the surroundings.
By walking again, and after three minutes and a little.
Nothing in particular had been found so far, the exception was that they saw several similar robots.
The only way they had to refer to it is that it was just a simple and old historic ruin.
And by strolling for around a minute after that, they finally reached the center of the town.
Then, from the outskirts of the town, *cry* *cry*, they heard a crying voice.
– … whose voice is, that desuno?
Claire, who stopped her feet, began to investigate the situation of the surroundings while inclining her head to the left and right.
Likewise, Hayato and the others also let their eyes crept the environs, looking for the owner of that crying voice.
– Ah, it's over there!
It was Latia who raised her voice.
Not only Claire, but Hayato and the rest also turned their eyes to where her finger was pointing at.
– That's…
Claire stared in wonder.
There was a girl squatting on the ground, she was covering her face with both hands.
Apart from her little long ears, her looks weren't much different from the earthlings and the Notre Damians, but her skin and hair were pure white, she also had hair ornaments and things like black horns on her head.
Moreover, what she was wearing was similar to the Variable Suits, but it had a faint fluorescent color that was shining throughout it.
– Is that girl an intelligent life form of this planet?
The one who muttered was Aila while everyone just kept staring at the mysterious girl without moving.
Claire raised her voice after her.
– I'll go masuwa.
Claire slowly approached the girl with cautious steps.
The distance shortened till she was three, two meters from her.
The girl raised her face abruptly.
For a moment, she was a girl who showed a frightened expression on her face, but now she continued staring at the figure of Claire with those red eyes.
It appeared that she was examining the situation.
Claire asked to that girl.
– Do you understand my words?
Naturally, that was the language of the Earth.
She knew that there shouldn't be a possibility of replying.
As a matter of course, there was no reply.
By blinking, the girl——.
– Wha…
In an instant, the girl disappeared from the field of vision of Claire.
What reached her ears next was the voice of the girl.
– You'll die——with this!
It was the language of the Earth.
By lowering her body, the girl kicked the ground and generated a small knife in her right hand.
Then by stretching her body like a spring, she pushed out its pointed end towards Claire.
– Kuh…!
Although her cheek was wounded, Claire avoided the fatal wound at the last moment.
Claire, who was giving her back to the girl, tried to make her body roll, took out the Hundred from her neck case and shouted.
– HUNDRED ON!
Turning around, the girl attempted to push out the blade towards Claire again.
However, the girl was unable to do so, as she was restrained by the continuous beams that were fired from the six floating batteries of Alisterion——her deployed Dragoon type Hundred.
With that, Claire succeeded in taking distance from the girl.
Hayato and the others rushed to Claire's position.
– … are you okay, president? Ah, your cheek is…
– This much is nothing arimasenwa. It's in a level that will heal quickly desu.
Claire said, wiping with the blood rising from the cut of the cheek with the back of her hand.
The ones who came out first to protect Claire were Latia, Aila and Ryuuto, those three people.
They deployed their armaments all together.
And took an offensive stance towards the girl.
– Hey, why the hell did you do that!? Who are you!? Why do you understand our words!?
Latia asked while yelling.
Thereupon, the girl smiled meaningfully and,
– That's a secret——but speaking of why I did something like that it's because I intended to do something like this ☆.
By saying so, *snap*, the girl made a sound with her fingers.
What was going to happen now?
Among all of them who watched attentively the situation of the surroundings as they held their breaths, the first one who noticed something unusual was Emilia.
– Over there!
Emilia raised her voice.
Turning their eyes towards the direction of the pointed finger, they could confirm that the body of the robot was faintly emitting a yellow light.
Ryuuto, who saw that, asked Aila that was next to him while being confused.
– What is the meaning of this, what are…?
– That, even if you ask me, there's no way that I would know!
Aila shouted.
– Hey, the ones over there are shining in the same way!
Following the brief comment that Latia fired, Hayato and co. realized that it wasn't only one, but that all the robots in that place were emitting lights from everywhere. Moreover, the robots were beginning to stand up, one by one.
– It appears that they didn't look broken, huh.
Emilia muttered, looking at their appearances that got completely restored as they radiated light.
That voice seemed to have reached the ears of the mysterious girl.
– Exactly! The reason is that they pretended to be broken. You were being deceived by me, you see? By the time you realized that, you would be surrounded by enemies!
Certainly, the situation was as her words were saying.
The robots started to move, surrounding Hayato and the others.
By jumping on the shoulder of an almost 2-meter robot soldier which was the biggest of them, the girl declared, looking happy.
– Well then, game start ☆.
Together with those words, the robot soldiers started attacking everyone simultaneously.
– Let's go, Hayato!
– Okay!
Unlike the other four Slayers, Hayato and Emilia weren't armed yet, so they deployed their Hundred all together.
Together with their comrades who have already deployed their armaments, they started fighting against the robots.
Just how much strength did those robots have? Since it was completely unknown to him, he just had to feel and test it, then when he was fighting against them, it wasn't more than what he thought.
That was the honest impression of Hayato.
Although their numbers were many, their movements were monotonous——.
The unleashed attacks were centered around the two manipulators that they used, stretching them and punching with them, they also struck by jumping high using their two legs and if they could grab, they would just do so.
Other attacks were to the degree of occasionally firing beams from the eye and to throw rocks that were rolling on the surface and the remains of the town.
If they were ordinary human beings, that alone would be a threat, but for the Slayers who had experienced many battles, they weren't great opponents.
– One down!
A robot exploded with the blow done by the fist of Latia where energy was loaded into.
At the same time, something fell to the ground.
(This is…!)
What was reflected in the eyes of Latia was an ore similar to the Hundred.
Claire and Emilia followed her——.
Hayato also defeated a robot and the ore fell to the ground in the same way.
(Would this be the motive power of the robots?)
As everyone thought the same, Hayato also thought so.
At any rate, the first priority was to defeat those robots.
One, then another one, Hayato and the others defeated the robots, then just one remained——.
It was no other than that big robot whose girl was on its shoulder.
Claire confronted her.
– Only that child remains now masenwayo.
Claire said, standing in front of the little girl sitting on the shoulder of the big robot.
– Umm, what are you doing?
– We want you to let us hear your intentions immediately desu.
– But I said game start, didn't I? This is a game, you know? If you want to talk, then I'll let you do so only after you finish the game first, okay?
– if it's a thing like that, then we will show you that we will end this in no time!
Claire fired a beam from the shotgun created on her right arm.
That robot used both legs like springs and dodged it with a jump.
However, there were 6 floating batteries lying in wait that poured on beams the robot one after another.
In that gap and while the robot withstood them, Claire approached.
And by instantly transforming the 6 floating batteries into Buster Cannon,
– This is the end desuwayo!
The fired beam of Claire went through the abdomen of the robot.
And after a few seconds, the robot exploded.
She thought that it was game end with that, but it wasn't.
Together with the ore which was the source of power of the robot that fell to the ground, the little girl that fell on her backside immediately stood up——.
She displayed a charge with a knife pointing towards Claire from inside the fumes of the explosion.
Claire, who dodged it at the very limit, grabbed the arm of the girl that had the knife and restrained her right there. With that, the movements of the girl were stopped.
– Isn't it fine to say that the game ends here?
– …!
The girl, who receives the words of Claire, showed a frustrated-like expression.
But, that was only for a moment——.
Showing a smile with a grin, the little girl replied.
– Unfortunately, the end of the game is still ahead.
– Wha——
Claire doubted her eyes.
Immediately after the arm of the girl shone with those words, she escaped from the restraint of Claire and did a back step. The distance between the girl and Claire ended up widening to 5 meters.
(What was that just now…?)
Claire was perplexed.
Hayato and the others were perplexed too.
Her arm seemed to have transformed into particles for an instant.
The girl continued speaking as she showed the same smile on her face.
– Ahaha, that's because you still haven't defeated the boss of this stage!
– Aren't you the boss?
– Nope.
Immediately after the girl answered what Emilia asked.
*Rumble*, *Rumble*, the ground began to tremble.
– … wh-what's happening desuno?
Claire squinted.
– That's…!
When seeing that the feet of the girl started to rise slowly, Latia raised a loud voice.
What appeared from there was, a head.
Despite the size being almost like the normal robots they were fighting until a while ago, the next were its arms, then the body, and so on until its whole body was visible.
– Is this…
Ryuuto murmured while trying to look up.
A huge robot appeared from the ground.
Its size seemed to be around 30 meters in length.
Its size was almost the same as a super-dreadnaught Savage.
Moreover, unlike the robots they were fighting minutes ago, it had two eyes, it closely resembled a human——
Rather than that, it was a small but quite wide round giant gorilla made completely of rocks——it had an appearance of a figure of clay.
The girl that was standing on the head of the gigantic robot moved to the shoulder just like that then showed a complacent smile.
– Come now, this is the last boss of this stage! If you can defeat it, show me you'll defeat it!
– We'll do so, even if you don't tell us!
Saying so, Emilia created a floating battery with Arms Shroud. It was Claire who gave an order as the leader next.
And turned the muzzle of the floating batteries towards the giant robot——.
– Let's go masuwayo!
The Slayers started moving with those words.
The first ones that attacked the giant robot were the floating batteries of Claire, Emilia and Aila.
However——.
– Kuh! The attacks of my familiars have no effect!
Aila raised her voice, looking how the beams fired from the bat-based floating batteries ended up being erased the moment they touched the body of the giant robot.
That not only applied to the beams of Aila.
The beams of Emilia and Claire were all neutralized and erased.
– It appeared that something like an N barrier was deployed on the body of that robot desuwane….
Claire seemed to judge that maybe the girl on its shoulder deployed that barrier.
– If so, then I'll go!
It was Ryuuto who shouted.
If the beam attacks ended up being neutralized, then there was no choice but to attack it directly.
——Be that as it may, if the slash was accompanied by ordinary energy, then it could be prevented just like the beams.
That's why this was a direct physical attack of Ryuuga.
He considered that he should attack using Zaneizan.
– Hayato-san, if I can't defeat it, I'll leave the rest to you!
Leaving those words with him, Ryuuto started to move.
Even if he couldn't do it, there was Hayato, the teacher of Touka, and Touka was his teacher.
Considering that it would be of use as a reference for the moment of the attack, Ryuuto slashed the huge robot.
– Haaaa——!
– This time is a close combat? But the body of this child is hard, you know?
The girl didn't break her complacent attitude.
Putting out his arms in front of his body, the giant robot tried to stop the attack of Ryuuto.
Ryuuto swung Hien downward there.
– Kenzaki Style Secret Technique——Zaneizan!
The slash was prevented by the arm of the huge robot.
However, Zaneizan succeed superbly.
Although it didn't knock it down with that blow, the whole body of the enormous robot trembled, and its movement stopped for a moment.
– … if that's the case, then another hit will do!
With the returning blade, Ryuuto released Zaneizan again.
It was Zaneizan Second Style.
This time, it hit the body.
However, it wasn't enough to throw down the gigantic robot.
(If it's another hit…!)
Thinking so, he attempted to release a third Zaneizan, but his arms became numb, they didn't move.
– I'm sorry, this is my limit!
Nonetheless, the huge robot was rigid due to the two consecutive hits of Ryuuto.
If they were going after it, it had to be now.
– If so, this will do!
Latia struck the ground at her feet with all her strength.
Thereupon, the ground cracked and its cracks extended to the feet of the huge robot.
With that, the posture of the giant robot collapsed——.
– Finish him, Hayato!
– Got it!
If it has come to this, there was no choice but to do what he could do.
– Haaaaaaaaaaaaa!
Simultaneously with the shout, Hayato expelled an intense energy from his whole body and switched over to a whole-body armed state.
(The Zaneizan of Ryuuto wasn't enough, so I'll have to go with all my strength…!)
With Hien accompanied by energy, he slashed at the giant robot full of gaps.
Naturally, it wasn't a regular slash.
Like Ryuuto was doing before, it was based on the Secret Technique of Kenzaki Style, Zaneizan.
The plan of Hayato was that if he broke through the barrier with Zaneizan, then he would cut off the giant body by forcing his way with the strength of his energy.
– This is it!!
The brandish of Hayato attacked the huge robot.
(… did that do it….?)
Unfortunately, it didn't go in accordance with the plan of Hayato, but the giant robot that suffered the attack of Hien fell to the ground, lying on its back.
– Uwaaah!
The next they heard was the scream of the girl.
As a matter of course, the body of the girl fell from the huge robot and struck hard the ground.
– … we, did it?
There was a reaction.
Regarding the eyes of Hayato who was breathing heavily, they could see the figure of the giant robot that fell to the ground that was looking upward.
However——.
– … we can still do it, you know? Because it will get up.
The girl got up abruptly and said so, and in the same way, the giant robot got up.
– I felt that we were easily defeated for a moment, but it seems that I managed to endure it somehow.
The girl got on to the shoulder of the giant robot once again and,
– 'kay then, counterattack time starts now♪.
The giant robot raised its foot overhead and attempted to trample Hayato.
Hayato blocked it with Hien then turned back.
It was Emilia and Latia who rushed to get there.
– We'll help you, Hayato!
Saying so, a big sword was made by Arms Shroud and struck the enormous robot.
Following her there, Latia had started to punch it.
Their momentum was considerable, the body of the gigantic robot flew backwards.
– What do you think now!?
Grasping her fist tightly, Latia showed a smile elated with success.
However, and like Hayato just now, it didn't mean that they could defeat it completely.
It probably just fell to the ground.
(At this rate, this will become a loop, isn't it…?)
What could they do to completely stop the movement of that huge robot?
When everyone thought so, Emilia spoke to Hayato.
– Hey, Hayato. Let's do that.
– … that?
– I'm going to strengthen the Hien of Hayato using my Arms Shroud.
With those words, Hayato remembered.
The Variant Virus of Hayato and Emilia were almost identical.
Therefore, the proposal of Emilia that she thought about was that Hayato should be able to use the energy of the reduced-to-particles Arms Shroud as this was tried once during practice.
And in that opportunity, it was a success.
– Do we try it?
If it was a share of the energies of the two, then he could able to defeat and destroy that gigantic robot.
Desiring so, Hayato had Hien at the ready.
The giant robot stood up abruptly.
The girl was already on its shoulder.
– Seriously? You still doing that? You did that already, you know?
Noticing that Hayato had Hien at the ready and imbued with energy, the small girl laughed him down.
Still, Hayato didn't stop pouring energy into Hien.
A red, fierce, flame-like aura got strongly little by little, but the girl never lost her composed attitude.
– No matter how much energy you pour into that sword, it's futile. You won't get to defeat——ah ——
Looking at the transformation that happened there, the little girl stared in wonder.
As a way to protect the body of Emilia who stood behind Hayato, a mass of particles of Arms Shroud that should be rotating around move to the surroundings of the body of Hayato who had Hien at the ready and started to rotate.
– No way…
It was that no way.
Together with the mass of particles that burst open in an instant, the Hien of Hayato got bigger.
The aura that he was cladded in also expanded more violently——.
– This is our aim! Do it, Hayatoooo————!
Showing a triumphant smile, Emilia shouted with all her heart.
– Yeah!
Replying, Hayato kicked the ground going in a straight line towards the giant robot.
By jumping high, the energy of Hayato and the energy of Emilia.
Red and white.
He struck the giant robot with Hien that was gushing out two colors of energy.
With Zaneizan, of course.
It was their victory with that.
The gigantic robot exploded in two perfect equal parts from the parietal.
The ore, which had become the energy source just like any other robot, fell to the ground with a plop.
– Hahaha, you did it. I may be a bit surprised though.
The girl said as she fell on her backside from the giant robot to the surface of《Planet X》.
Emilia asked while getting near her.
– Now, will you let us hear what you have to say?
– Well, I promised you, right…? So——
In that instant, the girl kicked the ground.
And then, she created a knife on both hands and attempted to attack Emilia.
– We thought you would do that, after all.
It was what happened to Claire.
She was naturally wary that she would attack when she had the chance.
Using Arms Shroud, Emilia immediately created two floating batteries and aimed at the girl with them.
She was not an ordinary opponent.
She knew she won't hit her.
She intended to stop her.
Emilia thought that the girl would dodge or repel the beams anyway, but it was neither of them——.
– Eh…?
Emilia was amazed as she saw that the two beams she fired pierced the body of the little girl.
Just like that, the body of the girl was sent flying to the back and ended up falling, lying on her back.
– Umm…
Naturally, Emilia was confused.
She obviously didn't intend to kill her.
Rather, they'll be troubled if she were to die.
Because they had to listen to her.
– Wh-what do I do?
Emilia was confused.
What reached their ears was the voice of Ryuuto.
– Everyone, there!
With that voice, Emilia noticed that a light sphere was approaching her.
It was about the size of a soccer ball.
And not only Emilia.
A light sphere was launched to all the Slayers.
After each one of the Slayers dodged the light sphere with a jump.
Latia immediately gave a voice of commendation.
– As expected of Ryuuto, you have a quick awareness.
– It's an honor to receive such words from Latisan. But, now what's more important is——
The direction in which the line of sight of Ryuuto was directed at was the direction the light spheres came flying in——.
It was around 5 meters from the surface of《Planet X》.
The girl that should be collapsed after receiving the attack of Emilia was floating there, a pair of wings of fluorescent color were on her back.
Her figure that was in the place where she fell until a while ago was no longer there.
Only the ore that fell was there.
– What the hell?
Latia showed doubt with an expression full of surprise.
Laughing with a *ahaha*, the girl replied.
– Didn't you notice when I escaped from the restraints of the blonde, drill-haired girl?
– To put it simply, that was no more than a terminal made from my body and I'm its ore. That said, the me who was fighting you earlier, is now a different terminal of the current me.
– Now that you mention it, it transformed into particles…
So that's the reason, Emilia was convinced.
While she showed an "I tricked you!" smile, the little girl continued speaking.
– And since I decided to let you know this as a bonus, this whole planet is the domain of my real body. My real body is the ruler of this planet, so to speak. In other words, you lost the moment you came to this planet. It means you have no chance of winning. I'll make you a favor and show you the e-vi-den-ce ❤.
– Evidence…?
Aila glared at the girl, squinting.
-Yeah, an evidence ❤,
Showing a smile that looked like she was enjoying it from the bottom of her heart, the little girl continued.
– I suppose I'll let you hang around with my games a bit more. And for that——
The girl took out a device that had just one button placed in it in her palm, and by loosening her mouth with a meaningful smile,
– It'll be me ☆.
She pressed that button with a finger.
– …!
Hayato and the others put themselves on guard as if something were to happen.
– ——wha!
It was Aila who raised her voice first.
Then, Ryuuto also raised his voice.
– What is this…!
Immediately afterwards, the figures of the two disappeared from that place.
It was not only them.
Latia, Claire and Hayato, each one of them disappeared from that place while raising surprised voices.
– Ehh!?
Likewise, Emilia also gave a voice of surprise.
– What's this, it's a pitfaaaaaall!?
In accordance with those words, the ground below their feet suddenly disappeared as if becoming particles.
And like with the rest of the Slayers, Emilia also fell to the completed hole.
– Ahaha, that was funny. Since everyone was caught.
Saying so, the girl threw the button she had in her hand.
It wasn't really necessary, but it seemed to be more interesting, so she made it with energy and tried to use it.
That was also a game itself for the girl.
– And now, I think I should go and play with everyone without delay. But before that——
The girl looked up high in the sky and *hihihi*, showed an ominous smile.
– Since I'll be troubled if I let that spaceship bother me, I'll mess around with it a liiittle ☆.
※※※– It's all over here now. How did it go to the president and the others?
After Hayato and the others were about to descend to《Planet X》and after they defeated all the Savages that came as reinforcements.
Nakri descended on top of the barrier that was deployed to protect《Planet X》, she had sent a communication to the control room of《Charlotte No. 1》.
『It seems that Claire and co. have already reached the surface of《Planet X》and started to explore it. But, I don't really understand the current situation』
It was Charlotte who replied.
Continuing, Nakri asked.
– You don't understand? What thing would that be?
『I'm suddenly not able to get in touch with them. It appears that with the barrier regenerating itself, the communications ended up getting obstructed』
– Now that you mention it, that's very true.
Nakri turned her eyes to the place where the Slayers of the capture team had descended.
She couldn't see anymore the hole that Claire had opened.
The barrier had finished repairing completely.
– If so, then there's only one thing to do.
The one who said so was Krovahn, he was next to Nakri.
And by turning his eyes to Nesat that was on the barrier like them,
– Nee-chan.
– … yeah.
Nesat nodded and generated Buster Cannon using Truth Eye of her left eye*. Then turned the muzzle to the ground.
– I will destroy it with this.
– Wait, Nesat!
Nesat was about to load energy into Buster Cannon.
When Nakri suddenly shouted.
With a surprised face, Nesat looked at the face of Nakri.
– … what is it, Nakri?
– Look, over there!
As she pointed her line of sight towards the place where Nakri turned a finger, she saw the figure of Savages approaching, going towards them like they did before.
But this time, it wasn't only them walking on the barrier.
They could also grasp that there were praying mantis Savages heading towards the spaceship.
– Hey, doc. Reinforcements!
Krovahn shouted by opening a communication.
『I've confirmed that here as well』
Charlotte replied right away.
– What should we do?
『Like were you doing just now, give maximum priority to protect《Charlotte No. 1》』
That was the order of Charlotte.
Fritz continued.
『Due to the nature of your Hundred, the ones dealing with the Savages heading towards the spaceship are Nakri and Nesat——we'll entrust Krovahn to deal with the Savages above the barrier. There shouldn't be problems with that, right?』
– No, not a problem at all!
Energy was beginning to rise up from the whole body of Krovahn who replied.
– Okay then, Nee-chan, Nakri, you take care of the side of the spaceship. I'll go!
Making his eyes shine, Krovahn accelerated.
He immediately got closer to the position of the approaching Savages, having Orthros Liberio at the ready.
– We should go to, Nesat.
– … yeah.
They flew out in the opposite direction than Krovahn——they were heading towards the position of the praying mantis Savages that were flying and getting closer to the spaceship.
At that time, Krovahn had already approached the Savages, he was about to swing downward Orthros Liberio, aiming at the core that was in the head.
The one that aimed towards《Charlotte No. 1》was a normal type, it was about to bombard it.
– ——ORAAA!
If it was a usual normal type, then he could definitely destroy its core with that blow.
Krovahn was going to do so, he intended to put only that much of strength on it.
However, and speaking of reality, it wasn't possible for him to destroy the barrier that protected the core. Just a little brilliance broke into it, it was barely able to stop the bombardment.
– … even if it looks exactly like a normal type, why is it so hard…?
Krovahn landed on the barrier, then muttered while looking at the Savage with a surprised look on his face.
As that Savage was doing until seconds ago, and by just opening its head, it fired a bombardment towards《Charlotte No. 1》,
It was neutralized by the barrier of Liza and Maria, but for Krovahn the situation was like the defeat itself.
– Damn…
Overwhelmed by the frustration, the moment when Krovahn spat out so.
Nesat and Nakri also started fighting the Savages.
– Ei!
Nakri threw Duo Varga towards the praying mantis Savages heading towards《Charlotte No. 1》.
Following her, Nesat fired a beam from the Long Rifle she created with Truth Eye.
Both of them thought that the Savages would be defeated with that, but unfortunately, that didn't happen.
The chakrams of Nesat were repelled and the beam of Nesat ended up vanishing.
– Huh? Did they get stronger than before?
That was the honest impression of Nakri.
– If they were making adjustments on them, then this might be bad…
After Nakri muttered.
Krovahn looked at their figures, he was thinking that this wasn't a problem happening to him only, so he decided to contact Charlotte.
– Hey, doc! What the hell is happening?
『Well, this is no more than an inference of mine, but it appears that the Savages you are fighting were strengthened in response to the previous fight』
– That is to say that compared to the Savages so far, these have gotten stronger? Then I'll have to go with all my strength!!
『Ah, wait a minute! I haven't told you eve——』
If he displayed all his strength, the Savages may evolve even more.
Even though she was about to tell him how important was to make a tactic, Krovahn headed towards the Savages and ended up starting an attack.
– Good grief, this trouble child is…
Even though when speaking of everyday life he had settled down a lot, he gets worked up on the battlefield and may end up becoming aggressive like in the old days.
That was a characteristic of the Variants.
It was like a side effect caused by the activation of the Variant Virus that flew throughout his body.
– UOOOOOOOOOO———!
Krovahn slashed at the Savage while releasing a powerful energy.
As a result, the Savage was silenced by that blow.
On the contrary, the barrier of the ground was destroyed, and the dead Savages fell to the surface of《Planet X》.
However, and together with that, Krovahn didn't fall.
Using the floating device while doing a somersault with the momentum of the attack, he landed on the side of the hole opened in the barrier.
Thereupon, Krovahn sent a communication to Charlotte with a prideful look on his face.
– How is it, doc? I opened a hole too!
『Good grief, you sure are…』
After she sighed as if she was amazed due to his reprehensive, violent manner of doing things.
Charlotte continued her words immediately.
『Be that as it may, I thank you for opening a hole in the barrier. And, for continuing battling——exterminating the Savages like you've done so far. However, I'd like to ask you to use 70% of your strength, without using all of it』
– Wait, what? Why would I do that?
『I was just trying to tell you that a little while ago, you know』
Prefacing so, Charlotte didn't know how the enemy could strengthen the Savages, but if they used all their strength, there was a possibility that there would be further improvements.
She told Krovahn that that was the reason why it would be impossible for him to do so when that moment came.
Krovahn seemed to be convinced about that.
– ——agh…! It's troublesome, but I understood. Then, I guess I'll do so!
Shouting, he speeded up by releasing energy from his feet——.
Since he was approaching the rest of the remaining Savages on the barrier, Krovahn launched an attack.
Naturally, and as he was told, he couldn't go all out.
Just 70% of his strength.
Still, Krovahn was able to defeat the Savages one after another.
Since Nakri and Nesat also heard the communication between Charlotte and Krovahn, they adjusted the degree of their strength in the same way while dealing with the Savages drawing near《Charlotte No. 1》.
During that.
Charlotte and the others continued trying to contact Claire, Hayato, Emilia and the rest——.
※※※– Claire, Hayato-kun! Emilia! Do you hear me!? If you hear this, please reply! Claire! Hayato-kun! Emilia!
Charlotte kept calling for Claire, Hayato, Emilia and the others many times by now, but there was no response at all.
No matter how many times she called for them, she couldn't establish communication with them.
– It's strange…. Even though the regeneration of the hole that Krovahn opened has just begun. Irina, what about the connection log?
– I have just begun to confirm it.
Right after Irina replied.
The characters of『DANGER』were displayed on the monitor in front of her and the emergency alarm sounded. The monitor in front of Charlotte displayed the same.
The interior was also similarly dyed red.
– Looks like we have an intruder in the network.
Charlotte muttered with a worried expression.
While confirming that the controls of the spaceship were being hijacked in succession, she continued speaking.
– Apparently, it seems that it intruded from the line that was open for communication. This seems to be reason why we didn't get any communication.
– This is no good…! I can't stop the intrusion!
Irina shouted while typing on the keyboard with a desperate look.
Charlotte was working desperately to stop its progress as well, but the speed of the enemy was better than theirs.
The greens on the monitor before her eyes——the parts that Little Garden side had the leadership were changing to red one after another——to a state where the enemy side had the leadership.
That was saying that the control of the spaceship was being hijacked.
And when they thought that this was bad enough.
– Eh!?
Irina gave a surprised voice when seeing that the majority of the parts that turned red turned into green all at once.
– What, what ha…?
Irina turned her eyes to Charlotte.
Charlotte shook her head, like saying it wasn't me.
A voice sounded there.
『I have dealt with the intruder』
It was Liza's voice
When Irina turns her gaze, the capsule was shining with a light of energy, and inside there was Liza who opened her eyes.
Liza continued her words.
『As I will continue dealing with the intruder, will Irina and Charlotte take back the system in the meantime and reconstruct a new wall—— a security wall?』
– Of course, we will do it.
Responding, Charlotte continued.
– If so, let me take back the system. Irina, please prepare the reconstruction of the wall. Can you do it?
– Absolutely. Let's cooperate to deal with this.
After they decided what to do, Charlotte and Irina faced the monitors with a serious expression without saying anything.
In the midst of the tension and silence in the control room, only the sound of the fingers of the two moving around on the keyboard was echoing.
The eyes on the other side of the glasses also moved around quickly.
Sakura and Karen could only watch by turns the state of the Slayers fighting the Savages——the state of Krovahn and the others that was continuously displayed on the monitor, notwithstanding the noise that was repeatedly entering, and the figures of such Charlotte and Irina that were displayed then disappeared.
What was arising in them was a feeling saying "we want to help too in order to escape from this situation".
While thinking that it was bad to disturb them, they looked at each other as if to check each other's intention. Sakura and Karen nodded to one another, stared at the monitor with an earnest expression and resolutely spoke to Charlotte who continued fighting the unknown enemy that was beyond that.
– Charlotte, is there anything that we can do?
– Is there anything that can be done by Karen and Sakursan!?
Charlotte received those swords and ended up showing a troubled look.
– It's unfortunate, but there's nothing for now.
That was her answer.
– I see…
– … how unfortunate.
Sakura and Karen showed a sad expression on their faces.
As if comforting those two, Charlotte continued speaking.
– Don't feel sad. Your turn will definitely come one day. Since we'll be working hard until then, please wish for us that all will turn out well.
However, she regretted that they couldn't do anything in this crisis.
It was Irina and not Charlotte that noticed that Sakura and Karen continued showing such expressions.
While moving her hand, she turned her eyes towards the two of them and talked to them.
– Sakursan, Karen-san, if it is fine with you, could you make a sweet coffee with four cubes of sugar in it? My throat got dry and my brain is completely tired as well.
In fact, that wasn't a lie.
Her throat was getting dry from the tension so she wanted to drink something and since her brain was getting tired, she also wanted a sweet thing.
However, the one who requested that to the two of them came from the kindness of Irina.
Both Sakura and Karen understood that.
Still, they were very happy that they got a job.
– Yes!
– With pleasure!
The two of them gathered their voices and headed to the kitchen in the public space and were there for around 5 minutes.
Sakura and Karen prepared a coffee with 4 sugar cubes in it as it was requested, then returned to Irina.
– Thank you, both of you.
Irina received the coffee, smiled at them then tasted the coffee.
– Yeah, it is very sweet and tasty. The feeling that my head was dazed has been cleared. I will do my best in this last part.
Turning towards the monitor, Irina started typing on the keyboard again.
Karen asked on her back.
– Excuse me, what is the current situation…?
– In this last part, as I said.
While typing on the keyboard, Irina replied.
– In this last part, all the repairs will be about to end.
Those words immediately became real.
In less than a minute, Irina stopped typing on the keyboard.
Charlotte also stopped her hands.
– We were able to manage somehow, for now.
Charlotte rotated the chair, turning her body towards Sakura and Karen who were watching attentively, looking worried, and reported them.
Then, the facial expressions of Sakura and Karen became bright in a flash.
– Nevertheless, we only exterminated the virus that intruded inside the spaceship and just blocked that intrusion route. There are still lots of things to do yet to get in touch with the Slayers on the surface of《Planet X》. That's why——
Charlotte prefaced so, and by smiling at Sakura and Karen,
– Will you make me a cup of sweet coffee like the one you made to Irina a few moments ago? Although I was licking a candy like always, my throat ended up getting parched.
– Of course!
– Please leave it to us!
Sakura and Karen replied cheerfully accepting the request of Charlotte and headed once again to the public space where the kitchen was.
※※※While Sakura and Karen were making the coffee in the kitchen for Charlotte, something was inside《Planet X》.
A little girl was floating in a pure-white space.
It was the girl that confronted Hayato and the others.
While typing on the keyboard floating in the same way as her with all her fingers, she projected in mid-air the images of Krovahn, Nesat and Nakri that were fighting with the Savages that she had sent out, then continued the analysis.
In this connection, a lot of other images were projected in the air.
She analyzed the spaceship《Charlotte No. 1》and its numeric data.
The data of its crew members: Sakura, Karen, Charlotte, Liza and Maria.
And the data of Hayato, Claire, Emilia, Latia, Aila and Ryuuto that was collected directly by herself.
– Mm-hmm, a lot of data was gathered. However, since the intrusion to the main computer of the spaceship was completely prevented, and that the《V》new guys suffered quite the damage, there are still things that are half way through, but for now, the analysis of this much is over, so…. By leaving the spaceship side to the《V》new, I'll amuse myself with theeem ♪.
Saying so and looking happy, the girl showed a wicked smile.
*TN: By the way, 《V》new = Savages. ※※※– Hey, doc. I've completely disposed of all the Savages. How about you? Were you able to get in touch with them?
In accordance with those words, and after the Savages that appeared as reinforcements were entirely defeated.
From above the barrier deployed to protect《Planet X》, Krovahn sent out a communication to Charlotte who was inside《Charlotte No. 1》.
Both Nakri and Nesat who were fighting in outer space have already silenced all the Savages they were in charge of and were returning to the top of the deck of《Charlotte No. 1》.
『Unfortunately, I haven't got in touch with them yet. It seems that the possibility of being jammed by some sort of barrier signal is high』
That was the answer of Charlotte.
– If so, shouldn't we go and check it directly?
『In other words, we're also joining the capture team!?』
Listening to the words of Krovahn, Nakri interrupted the communication with an almost happy voice.
Although they battled quite a lot, she looked like saying that she hadn't fought enough yet.
『Hey hey, hold your horses. If I end up losing contact with you guys with that, there's nothing that we can do, you know? Since we'll try to organize the situation a bit more from here, Krovahn, return to the deck once again』
『Tsk』
Following the voice of Charlotte, what reached the ear of Krovahn was the uninterested voice of Nakri.
She most likely pouted her lips there.
That figure crossed his mind, and after he smiled with a puff.
– 'kay then, I'm going back.
Krovahn responded to the words of Charlotte and started returning to the deck of the spaceship.
While that image was displayed on the monitor, Irina mumbled.
– Even so, it is truly distressing that we aren't able to make contact with them…
– That's certainly true.
Fritz showed the same opinion.
– As things are, since we'll just end up waiting in vain and in case that we weren't able to get in touch with them, should we get someone to go and investigate——
Then, while he was continuing his words.
『Help me』
A voice suddenly resounded in the control room.
It was the voice of Maria in the capsule.
Help me.
Those words were calling for help, but the voice of Maria didn't look like it was in pain.
There was no emotion put into it.
Maria said 『Help me』,with a mechanical-like voice.
– … what's wrong, Maria?
Sakura asked Maria with a look that mixed curiosity and uneasiness.
Turning her neck towards Sakura, Maria replied.
– I heard a voice. It says 『Help me』
– … a, voice…?
Karen was standing next to her, turned her gaze to Maria in the same way and tilted her head. It was because she couldn't hear anything other than the voice of Maria.
And that, for Charlotte and Irina——.
And for Liza in the capsule next to her, it was the same.
Nobody other than Maria could hear the voice.
Because of that, Liza asked.
– How's that voice?
– Be sure to hear it now.
Immediately after Maria answered so.
『… me… 』
– Ah…
Hearing a voice mixed with noise from the speakers of the spaceship, Sakura raised her voice involuntarily.
And there again, the voice was heard.
『… help, me…』
This time, it was a solid one.
– Is this…
Being overwhelmingly surprised, Irina stared in wonder.
The voice they heard was not the voice of Maria.
The voice she heard was the voice of a woman.
The capsules containing Liza and Maria were connected with the control system of the spaceship.
So it seemed that Maria used its features and reproduced that voice.
– Where does this voice we are hearing coming from?
Sakura asked.
– The source is 《Planet X》——it looks like the voice was delivered and sent out by energy.
Liza replied.
– Because it was a mere, small wave, I didn't notice it. You perceived it nicely, Maria.
– While I was watching the fight of Krovahn and the others, I felt by chance the energy that was there, but not from who. And that is worrying me.
– That is very meritorious deed. You did a great job.
After she smiled sweetly at Maria.
And returning her eyes to Sakura and the others that haven't moved, Liza continued speaking.
– When I noticed that there was a voice here, I could hear it directly too. That's why, Sakura and Karen——you, the Slayers, should also be able to hear it like I do. Charlotte, can you lower the volume of the speakers for a moment, please?
– Sure.
As requested by Liza, Charlotte lowered the volume of the speakers.
– Alright then, I'll give it a try.
Inside the spaceship that fell completely silent, Sakura and Karen who got the words of Liza closed their eyes and carefully focused on the noise of their field of vision. They tried to sense the waves of energy with their whole bodies.
And when 10 seconds have passed in that state.
. Ah…
Sakura opened her eyes in a big way and looked at Karen who was showing a similar reaction, then raised her voice to ask.
– I heard it. The "help me" voice.
– Yes! Karen also heard it!
– You did?
Lisa smiled with satisfaction.
– But, what is this voice, I wonder?
It was as Sakura said.
It didn't make sense to just being able to hear it.
– We are already starting to analyze it, but I'm pretty sure that what we're hearing comes from《Planet X》. What do you think about this, Irina?
While typing on the keyboard and standing in front of it, Charlotte asked Irina who was watching attentively the monitor in front of her.
– Well, hmm…
After she thought for a few seconds.
And with a serios look, Irina replied.
– I don't know at all what is this, but it is possible that it is a trap.
– I agree with that. The 『help me 』is indeed, very suspicious.
– But it may become the key to explain the mystery of《Planet X》. I must get to grips with it, but it is what I believe.
– Even so, I also agree with that again, but it's a drawback at this moment that we can't get in touch with Claire and company. If we could get in touch, then being able to find the owner of the voice would be just…
If they still couldn't get in touch with them, then they will have to ask one of the three people of the interceptor unit——Krovahn, Nakri or Nesat to do an investigation.
– So, who will be…?
Charlotte turned her eyes to the Slayers of the interceptor unit displayed on the monitor.
It was right there when Krovahn returned to the deck.
Certainly, even if they let them go to investigate, there was no way all the members could go together as they were also the guards of《Charlotte No. 1》.
Even though, they had to let one person go.
If so, the one that they should choose was——.
The moment when Charlotte started to ponder.
– Since we have come to this, I'll go to investigate.
Liza in the capsule voiced so.
– Err, you serious?
– I'm always serious.
Replying, Liza closed her eyes.
Thereupon, the body of Liza began to shine faintly.
At the same time with that, a liquid that also emitted a radiance filled the interior of the capsule.
Eventually and immediately after all the brilliance disappeared.
The body of Liza in the capsule became a mere vessel that floated in the liquid.
Simultaneously with that, another person——Liza, who became an energy body, appeared on the deck.
– Whwhat is she doing so suddenly!? She surprised me!
Looking at Liza that appeared abruptly, Nakri raised a surprised voice.
Krovahn and Nesat who were on the deck like her also had a surprised look on their faces.
– I'm sorry for surprising you.
Liza apologized right away.
– … so, what are you going to use this for?
– Ask Charlotte about that later please.
Replying as if dodging the question of Krovahn, Liza continued.
– Alright then, I'm off. Maria, if the time comes, please protect the spaceship together with Krovahn and the others. I will leave everything to you.
『——understood』
Liza smiled sweetly when listening to the reply of Maria, then floated gently in the space and flew out from the deck towards《Planet X》——to the destination of the audible voice.
Chapter end
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