"That does seem to be the case, as expected of Uiharu-san."
Suddenly, things became much clearer, and the incident itself felt simpler.
Magic and all that didn't matter. Even if you didn't believe in it, it was fine. Right now, all they needed to know was Academy City's stance regarding the space elevator and the Orbit Portal Company.
On top of that, protecting Meigo-senpai was also essential work.
"If possible, could you pull up the surveillance feeds near the space elevator?"
Prompted by Uiharu's words, Misaka-senpai snapped to attention and hurriedly asked.
"That shouldn't be a problem."
Speaking of her area of expertise, Uiharu replied easily.
However, since the computers at the Branch office were all having issues to some degree, she had to use the handheld computer she carried with her.
The handheld device was equipped with a flat-state holographic projector. With a slight flicker, a clear image of District 23 materialized in the air.
She kept switching between camera positions until the viewpoint finally settled on the area near the space elevator.
Because this camera was positioned very far from the space elevator, the projected image was somewhat blurry.
"Aren't there any cameras closer than this?"
Leaning in, Natsume squinted her eyes, thinking the image quality was far too poor.
"Because the space elevator is a classified facility, the security in its immediate vicinity is also very high."
After thinking for a moment, Uiharu explained quietly.
Even through these blurry images, they could still make out something unusual.
The main entrance gate of the space elevator was shut tight, the high-strength alloy door reflecting a pale, cold light.
Even though it was the day before the opening ceremony, the entire space elevator venue seemed to radiate an aloofness that kept people at a distance, as if it were guarding against something.
"What are those things?"
Meigo-senpai also gathered around, pointing at several faint, fleeting black dots on the screen.
These dots moved like agile cheetahs. In just an instant, they exceeded the camera's resolution, transforming into dark streaks of light, heading unmistakably towards the space elevator.
Just as these black dots tried to approach the space elevator, they seemed to encounter some form of interception. Instantly, flashes of fire erupted across the screen.
A high-intensity network of firepower instantly formed, attempting to suppress these 'cheetahs.' However, a stray shot instead hit the camera, causing the screen to go black.
"There's a situation there! We must alert the Anti-Skill immediately!"
Shirai-san was the first to react to the suddenly blacked-out screen.
The others also snapped out of their daze; it seemed like a fight had broken out near the space elevator.
Natsume, however, seemed overly calm. 'This is nothing,' she thought. 'Tomorrow, the entire northern hemisphere might get blown away.'
"Uiharu, notify Anti-Skill right away. I'm heading to the scene immediately."
A certain Judgment member's sense of justice instantly flared up. Ignoring her own injured body, she gripped her wheelchair with both hands, ready to spring into action immediately.
District 23 was clearly not within Shirai-san's jurisdiction, but for her, it made no difference.
"Shirai-san, you've been ordered to refrain from participating in such high-risk public safety actions. The consequences for disobeying seem pretty serious, you know?"
Natsume offered a somewhat well-meaning reminder.
Even without directly participating in the combat, just being responsible for evacuating civilians was still very dangerous.
In a battlefield riddled with bullets like that, even Natsume would have to be extremely cautious, not daring to operate without activating her high-energy-cost Thermal Conversion.
That Shirai-san... she couldn't rely on luck every time. One careless move, and it could be game over.
Even if you could track the bullets' trajectories, the activation speed of Teleportation simply couldn't outpace bullets, especially against such dense firepower. If it were Natsume, that would be one thing...
This was the confidence of an esper. After all, a Level 5 was Academy City's highest combat asset, capable of single-handedly defeating an army.
Hmm? According to Natsume's thinking, that 'highest combat asset' title needed to be taken with a grain of salt.
"That's right, Kuroko. You can't go this time."
Misaka-senpai also voiced clear opposition.
It was rare for Misaka-senpai to block Shirai-san's actions, but this time was an exception.
"Kuroko, you're injured, and your ability... Besides, Meigo-senpai needs your protection here. Only if you stay behind can I feel at ease."
Compared to their abilities, Shirai-san was actually the most suitable for a protective role.
It didn't require fighting, but constant relocation. Shirai-san didn't have that peculiar limitation of being unable to move herself freely.
And only if Shirai-san stayed behind to look after Meigo-senpai could the Railgun's mind be at ease.
Somehow, this senpai had already made up her mind to get involved in this matter.
"Onee-sama!"
Shirai-san stood frozen for a few seconds, a touch of emotion flickering in her pupils, before she nodded firmly.
So Onee-sama cared about and trusted her this much.
'Those attackers... they're Academy City's secret troops, right?'
Natsume, standing to the side, was lost in thought. She'd actually seen many units of this type before.
Anti-Skill was never the only security force in Academy City. They were like icebergs submerged beneath the water's surface; people could only see the tip.
The more of these icebergs she saw, the less tension or fear Natsume felt.
Instead, she thought it was a good thing, feeling a peculiar sense of security.
She liked being inside a massive fortress. It was like burrowing into the middle of the sofa when sleeping, and her ability development also leaned towards defense.
As long as these icebergs didn't suddenly turn their guns on her or those around her.
But the situation always proved regrettable. Each incident managed to prick at Natsume's sensitive nerves.
--+--
In front of the Judgment Branch 177 building.
The Anti-Skill squad stationed here hadn't even finished dealing with the aftermath of the recent incident when they received another report from two public-spirited citizens, Shirai Kuroko and Uiharu Kazari.
However, Shirai-san seemed to have reported to the wrong place. For an incident occurring in District 23, the responsible party should be the Anti-Skill unit stationed there.
"Squad Leader, headquarters is issuing an emergency mobilization order for Anti-Skill units across all districts. We're to move out immediately."
But just then, Tessou Tsuzuri came jogging over. The right lens of her glasses, knocked at some point, now had a noticeable crack.
This somewhat clumsy Anti-Skill teacher looked a bit disheveled, but no one could say she wasn't dedicated.
To protect students, she could shoulder a shield and stand on the front line.
Natsume really liked these teachers. They always gave a certain bun-girl a sense of security.
It had nothing to do with strength, just a simple feeling of recognition. They were also a crucial barrier for Natsume's peaceful life.
"Where's the location?"
Frowning, Yomikawa Aiho asked instinctively.
"District 23. The objectives are to secure the space elevator venue and the Orbit Portal Company building."
"And right now, besides Anti-Skill from various districts, it seems an unidentified support unit with a codename has been dispatched. Additionally, the security forces of several nearby companies, including Kongou Aviation and Orbit Portal, have been urgently mobilized."
This information was already shared within the Anti-Skill network. Tessou Tsuzuri swiped her phone a few times and quickly found all the details.
"Understood."
Yomikawa-sensei nodded, then looked somewhat curiously at Shirai-san and the other.
'These Judgment members are really well-informed. Students these days are something else.'
With no time to ponder further, Yomikawa Aiho only had time to send a quick text to Komoe-sensei, asking her to continue looking after Meigo Arisa and the other students, before hurriedly boarding an armored vehicle.
Even though the perpetrator who attacked Meigo Arisa had been found, Yomikawa felt she still had a responsibility to care for them now.
"So it's true after all... the space elevator will trigger a disaster."
Shirai-san muttered, watching the fading dust trail of the armored vehicles.
She still had some doubts about this incident before, but with Academy City's backing, the emergency mobilization of Anti-Skill, the issues surrounding the space elevator were finally coming into focus.
Even if it wasn't a major crisis capable of destroying the entire northern hemisphere, it would certainly cause a significant impact.
Just the collapse of the space elevator alone would destroy most of Academy City's District 23 and affect many nearby districts, even the entire Tokyo area.
Thinking of this, Shirai-san suddenly felt a burning anxiety.
But reason told her that if there was a force capable of changing the situation, then Meigo-senpai, whom both sides were contesting, was absolutely the core of this incident.
She, instead, needed to protect this senpai even more closely, without leaving her side for a moment.
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.