Chapter Twenty-Two: Flashbang
15,000 meters above Tengu City
Unseen by human eyes,
even through supernatural means of observation due to its perfect camouflaging abilities.
This is due to its ability to wrap light around itself, or perhaps due to another means.
Regardless, it remains a fact that it exists right above there:
A ship belonging to an organization called Ratatoskr.
...however, right now, inside its cockpit.
Crunch~
Seated on a chair, on a slightly elevated deck,
Around the seat, several holographic interfaces spread, more so in the front.
There were about five centers in total that acted as desks, and on them were high-tech monitors.
Perhaps what's more impressive is its massive pane that surrounded the deck in a semicircular manner,
which displayed a panoramic display of the outside world.
Nevermind that however,
... on that panoramic display was an image that displayed the image down below.
"Kannazuki, what's the situation?"
Wearing a uniform and a crimson military uniform hanging from her shoulders like a cloak, a young girl asked the question.
Naturally,
For a girl that size and height, no matter how much one looked at it, she seemed out of place.
Given how highly advanced the deck and its exterior looked.
After all, she was seated at the commander's seat.
However, the way she sat on the chair seemed to suggest otherwise.
In a way, one could tell she belonged there.
Not to mention…
"Comander."
A blonde-haired male waiting beside the captain's seat gave a perfect salute.
But the girl that had been called commander only gave him a quick glance, and instantly came to a conclusion.
She kicked the guy's toes.
"—Oww!"
Even though he screamed while holding his leg, a pleasant expression crossed his face.
Upon closer look—
Yes.
It was unmistakably… pleasure and ecstasy.
Of course, the young girl only shot him a disgusted glare before turning her attention back to the panoramic monitor ahead.
Her brows knitted as she studied the visuals.
Seeing an [Unknown] suddenly appearing onto the battlefield like this.
"And? Do you think they're a 'spirit'?"
The young female commander asked this, sinking into her chair, crossing one leg above the other.
Her finger tapped the armrest slowly, yet rhythmically.
"Negative. Their readings are closer to that of a wizard, if anything. No, that person is a genuine wizard."
One of the staff members sitting behind one of those five stations replied that.
She had a dazed look on her face.
If one were to describe it, it is like she hadn't slept in days.
Regardless of that, the woman was quite beautiful in her own right.
Possessing pale blue hair, tied into a right-side ponytail, and body proportions of the right size.
Of course, if she really acted the part, it would make her stand out more.
Reine Murasame
She was the Head Analyst of this particular team, or rather, an organization called Ratatoskr.
"A wizard...? With that get-up? They don't look like AST personnel, however. A fall-out?"
Once more, the young commander frowned.
The more she looked at the nonchalant figure through the feeds, the more questions she had.
Never mind that...
"How about the package?"
Inquiring that, she glanced to the left.
Where the blonde-haired man stood. He straightened with a perfect smile, clearing his throat for a bit.
"Safely secured, Commander."
Hearing that,
For a brief moment, relief crossed over her features. But it was brief.
Following that expression she concealed immediately,
… her eyes hardened again as she turned her focus back to the glowing screen.
"Going by that pattern on their clothes and their mysterious identity. Yes..."
[Mysterious Person X]
• [Codenamed: Ogre]
That seemed far more fitting.
While that designation spread through Fraxinus,
Below ground, they had begun moving once more.
What a pain this has come to become.
They were still around that destroyed street where 'Princess' had wrecked ruin upon her arrival into this world.
Destroyed buildings, broken roads, caved-in grounds.
Such scenery spread out.
It was like apocalypse had descended right in broad daylight while the skies were still blue.
Further destruction could even be seen on the ground.
Other than the caved-in ground, some also spread out like waves.
Yet, amidst such ruins, people could still be found lingering around.
Obviously, just from a glance, anyone could tell. These were not normal people.
A spirit and six wizards.
Wizards who were capable of rewriting reality in their personal domain.
Despite it being a wizard's job to end spirits, however, one was currently going against that.
An unknown wizard.
Sure enough, despite already crippling four AST members,
Two people there, specifically… Princess and Origami looked oddly raring to go.
After all, right now, both's attention was solely on the sole wizard who had invaded their fight.
Which… 'Isn't that bad?'
…the individual behind his recognition filter blinked once.
Deflecting a strike from Sandalphon alone had strained his Operation Time to its limits.
[Master. Operation Time significantly reduced]
[Status: Healthy]
[Recalibrating Realizer's impact on Master's Status within a limited time frame]
[Accessing records on targeted leywords]
[Keyword: AST, DEM, Ratatoskr]
[Intercepting radio signals…]
[Tracing signals]
Nngh. 'Well, I know that much already!'
Like his personal assistant had said. He could only go on for about a minute or two.
As expected, those [Wiring Suits] were necessary.
Well, its parts.
[ Beta ]'s calculations were getting more accurate and more flawless.
While that was a good thing on its own.
All that was missing was...
"Haaaaa!"
Just when the figure couldn't help but lose himself into his thoughts, a war cry came from the left.
Quickly, he spun his gaze over.
It was Princess charging with an overhead swing, with pink light trailing behind her.
Twisss-
A sound was made from the clash between them.
Rather, he didn't even make a move as the sword landed on the edge of his territory.
What's more, upon closer look.
One would see invisible waves coursing around the three-meter barrier around him.
It was only when she had struck his territory that he raised his left hand towards her.
[Divine Oscillation Effect is in effect]
[Negation of attack by generating an opposing force.]
[Confimed.]
Just like he thought.
Other than its reality-altering powers within that barrier, it also granted him passive protection against outside forces.
[Mana signals detected]
[Incoming...]
'But now's not the time to daze around is it.'
"Got you."
Origami was already moving from the left side, closing in very fast by the passing second.
"...What is this? Cooperation between an AST member and a Spirit?"
Whilst still holding back Princess, now using one hand to create a vibration effect around the edge of his territory—
He turned his gaze towards Origami.
With his free right hand,
Snap~!
He snapped his finger.
'It's the same attack as before!'
Both women flinched instinctively, pulling back.
'Princess' withdrew first, backing away into the air, almost immediately.
As she did, a frown creased her face, gripping tightly against Sandalphon.
What was it?
That motion right now, even when she attacked them, was like they completely had no intent to attack.
When she thought about it.
Even the first strike was her own strike being deflected at her.
'...'
That was it, huh?
Her eyes slowly widened.
She more or less came to that conclusion. But by the time she did, it was already late.
Her stay in this world, for now, that is.
Glancing around her, particles of light were beginning to release from her body.
She lifted her right hand, enough for it to be within her view as she slowly disappeared.
As Princess 'seemingly' retreated.
Origami, who was hovering relatively close to Unknown, felt her territory being shaken.
Rather than shaken, it was more of a shockwave that spread across.
"Kuh! What… is this!?"
She staggered mid-air.
While it didn't penetrate through her barrier, thanks to its passive defensive capabilities,
But,
"...How?"
Several small twinkles of light spread out in front of the mysterious unidentified figure.
More aggravating was that Unknown hadn't left their position.
But those were the least of her concerns.
"Master Sergeant Origami! Quick! Get clear of that area right now! The readings are abnormal!"
Due to their Team Commander not being present, that was why she had rushed in.
However, even despite that, the AST base of Tengu City was monitoring what was happening.
Orders came from the command, but it was,
"̵̣͌T̷̳̑o̴̝̓o̵͍̍ ̴͍̉l̶̬̇ạ̸̓ṯ̴̑ȅ̶̳.̷̘͠"̴̧͑
Snap!
«Flash Cast»
With that sound, the greenish-yellow twinkle of light suddenly began expanding, filling the area.
It was likened to that of an explosion, coupled with the readings which the base had considered abnormal.
… with all this in mind.
"Dammit—!"
Origami gritted her teeth, pulling back immediately.
She threw herself in front of her fallen squad mates, reinforcing her defenses in as many layers as she could deploy.
… in addition to her passive territory defense, she also stacked several barriers, then an emergency one.
"Hold on…"
She muttered under her breath, squinting her eyes at the light, which was nearing its peak brilliance.
However, it was still growing—
Tshhhinnnn~
Just as she braced herself for impact,
"Princess's spirit wave has dissappeared. Origami, disengage with Codename: Ogre and return to base immediately."
The comms came just right in time.
Naturally, she would swiftly execute the order, as much as it grates her.
But right now.
She couldn't do that.
It was too late for that.
"—Kyaaa!"
Clatter—clank!
Just when the light had already reached its peak, such sounds like that came from behind.
Immediately, she flipped her head to the back, still squinting her eyes.
Through the brightness, she could see the figure, though not as well due to the light.
And that was when she connected the dots.
"…What!? That was a smokescreen!? You—!"
"̷͖́Ì̷̹t̸̪́'̴̥̃s̸̡͛ ̷̳̌c̶̥͝ă̶̺ĺ̸͖ḽ̴̆ẻ̷̻ḓ̴̅ ̶͇̿a̴͚͝ ̵̛̯«̸̼̓f̵̣̈́l̷͙͗ą̶̑s̸̜͛h̸̛̠b̷̥̎a̵̧͂n̷̻͘g̸̝͠»̴̝͗.̸̦̀"̴̱̄
The horse's voice came from where she was glaring at.
It was undoubtedly theirs.
But by the time she would begin to adjust her vision, she immediately felt it.
Unidentified was no longer there.
Kwinnnn—
The brilliance peaked once more before finally fading.
Origami slowly adjusted her line of sight, before taking a quick turn around.
"Dammit. That's what they were here for."
Her mates… her fellow AST mates were completely stripped of their gear, except for their bodysuits.
"Comms to Base. Both the Spirit and the intruder have fled."
And then—
"…Understood."
Since the current world revolves around Spirit, their existence and their removal.
Anywhere they appear is a center of observation for two very important factions.
Deus Ex Machina industries and Asgard Electronics.
The top two organizations leading the world with equipment to battle the forces known as 'Spirits'.
Not only that, they also served as some sort of head figure for subsequent organizations under them.
From the Anti-Spirit Team to Ratatoskr.
Two major forces on the forefront of the war with clashing ideals.
While the Anti-Spirits Team's goal is to defeat Spirits when they appear and kill them,
However, Ratatoskr's goal is to save these poor girls from that.
Now, however, a third party who stood on neither side has caught the gaze of these two factions.
One whose actions may tilt the scale of balance.
"Fuu~"
Appearing atop a building further away from their original point was the person they identified:
Codenamed: Ogre.
[Optical illusion deactivating]
Light wrapped around him, tearing away from him as he stretched.
"Any more than that would have really been dangerous for me."
He thought, taking a glance at the CR Units behind him before letting out a sigh of relief.
As expected, taking a strategic outlook rather than brawling with them was the only answer.
Not to mention, [Beta] really helped.
Right now, the Artificial Intelligence was already updating itself with analysis it made on AST and their radio signals.
It was only a matter of time now.
Turning his gaze toward the sky.
While it was invisible to the naked eye and most, with [Beta] constantly updating,
And him getting more used to weilding the World's Mana, which was what he used for «Flashbang», he could now feel it.
Fraxinus.
Morgan adjusted his hood.
"Now then… time to move on."
With that, his silhouette blurred once more and vanished into the city haze.
«Techniques»
[Divine Oscillation]
• A technique that uses special vibrations, which can be used to negate an attack with a corresponding frequency.
• It can also be used as an attack.
• The frequency of the vibration is calculated, and the user creates the vibration based on the calculation.
[Flash Cast: Flashbang]
• By manipulating the world's mana, the user can induce a variety of effects. Including negative statuses and nerfs.
• Since the world's mana is universal, it is more effective against those that use a derivative of it, including Reiryoku.
• Of course, it's still very hard, as Morgan is using a form of making the World's Mana unstable to carry out this effect.
World's mana > gave birth to Spirit of Origin > born with Reiryoku.
Explanation in Razor language:
Mana exist before Mio born, magicians exists, can use magic. World's mana too strong. Wizard, small pps, can only use little.
Same, Morgan struggles. World's mana very hard and complex.
Has 'will'.
That's why, "create Mio," Westocotto thought. Jajan! Mio come with Reiryoku.
Capiche? No?
Good!