Hidan no Aria - Volume 14

Afterwards…

Hearing Kou’s plan, as expected Riko said:

「I’ll leave it to you, Ki-kun. Think it over carefully.」

–and left the decision in my hands.

From noon until evening, Aria and the rest did nothing but eat and sleep, idling away the day while I thought…

I couldn’t come up with any other plan besides Kou’s plan to fix the fight.

It wasn’t something I wanted to do.

But would I rather surrender and become Rampan’s general…?

I seriously considered it for a while. But I had to reject the idea.

Next, I considered the internal strife within Rampan, and if I could safely wade into that line of fire.

Shanghai has 3 times the number of personnel that Hong Kong does. They can also send a lot of superhumans to attack. That makes things difficult.

Even Son Goku in the old legends didn’t dare anger the Imperial Dragon. It would coil itself around me like an anaconda, binding and restraining with all its strength. Then it would crush every bone in my body.

I can just picture the final scene in that battle…

Night fell.

As the dumpling bun maids led us to the first floor grand dining hall–

「Kinji? Where’s the tree?」

Among the members of Baskerville, Aria anticipated the decorations that would surround the circular dinner table the most.

「What am I going to do with you…?」

You’re so depressed and worried about a Christmas tree.

「I specifically asked for one! Ungh…You can’t have Christmas without a tree!」

Her upper half slumped across the table, Aria flailed her arms and legs like a spoiled brat.

I tightened my grip on my Beretta and thought about letting off a shot, but if I did, there would be a 10 quadrillion-fold retribution. So instead, I’ll have to put up with it. The key to managing Aria’s crises is patience.

「Why don’t you ask Rampan? I’m sure they could have one in 5 minutes.」

「I know that, but asking for something before negotiations is the worst! If you ask for all kinds of things, you show weakness and dependency.」

Huh…

Although she calls it ‘the worst’, it seems that she understands what is going on.

From all outward appearances, it looked as if her guard relaxed when she changed out of her bulletproof Butei High uniform into her Chinese clothes… but not every weapon carried is so obvious. In this regards, her deep sense of wariness has not lapsed.

But when it comes to delicious Chinese cuisine, her role as a simple house-guest is nothing more than it seems.

「Sit next to me, Shirayuki!」

「A-alright!」

In accordance with my personal motto: Peace and Safety, I sat between the two comparatively good girls (Shirayuki and Reki).

「Uh-Uhm, Kin-chan? I’m sorry about last night. I heard about it from Reki-chan, and she told me that I did something rude… but I don’t remember it at all… 」

「Oh…! Uh… Well…」

That’s horrible…!

Are you the kind that gets drunk, goes berserk, then forgets all about it? That’s the worst kind of drunk!

That can turn out very badly for you as an adult.

…Anyway…

Irokaneayame. It’s needed for Kou’s strategy.

I still haven’t been able to say anything to Shirayuki about it.

But now would be a bad time to bring up the topic of Aria’s hidan. Once we are not longer under Rampan’s nose, I should talk to Tamamo and get some advice.

As for this plan, however… time is running out. I have to decide what to do…

「–Hey, Ki-kun, have you decided yet?」

Riko half leaned across the table to whisper in my ear. Suddenly, Peace and Safety deserted me as her cleavage suddenly stood out prominently.

「Wh-what are you doing?」

「What are you going to do about the plan? Did you come up with another one?」

She’s… talking about Kou’s idea.

I answered her question frankly.

「It’s getting late. You’re going to have to decide soon. Riko believes in you.」

With an awful amount of swaying, Riko retracted her upper body. While sitting back, Riko touched Aria’s thighs, just to cause trouble, making her yelp. It was movement to distract from the fact that she had leaned across to whisper something in my ear.

Why was that? Is Riko impatient?

Wondering that, I looked around the room… and noticed something a little strange.

Shokatsu was not here.

Every other meal he had been here to expound upon the culinary merits of each dish like a chef would.

His condition must be bad…

If that’s the case, then should we visit and wish him better health?

No, that would be odd–and make things worse.

Until now, we have been supplied with delicious food, and tonight is no exception.

I am not the only one who has this strange feeling. Aria and Shirayuki have picked up on it as well.

That means Riko… was the first of all of us to notice. Touching Aria was meant to confirm that she had her gun holsters.

Put on our guard, from the door in front of us–

*Boom!*

Pushing the door open with both hands, an uninvited guest appeared.

「-Kihihi!」

Meimei.

No longer wearing the wig she had worn yesterday, I could see her twin tails.

Then, I saw that she had a maid by the back of the neck, and she dragged her in behind.

Her mouth was gagged, but it was…

Yuan…!

Yuan Meishi.

Did they find out that she had helped Riko and me?

Slowly, she continued to drag Yuan across the floor.

Wearing colourful, high fashion silk shoes, Meimei–

*Whoosh!*

Unfurled a vertical scroll in front of us, with a smug grin.

Something was written on the scroll and stamped with a large square seal, but…

I can’t read it. It’s full of uncommon Chinese characters. So…

「…」

I stood in front of Baskerville, saying nothing.

「…I’ll expwain it to you. It’s a personell weassignment from Shanghai Rampan.」

Her smirk fading, the Koko sister started explaining from the top of the scroll.

「It says:『Kinji Tohyama is hereby bestowed the rank of Chief Soldier by Shanghai Rampan with a lifetime salary of 30 million yuan, payable in advance. All of the Cao Cao sisters are also guaranteed to serve as his main wives and concubines. He will also have a female tutor until such a time as he has learned Chinese.』」

Hearing the last half of the orders, Aria and Shirayuki’s gaze grew murderous–

Trying to figure out how much 30 million yuan was in yen, all other thoughts were subsumed.

「It continues:『Aria H. Kanzaki will be Senior-Leader, with Shirayuki Hotogi, Riko Mine, and Reki as Junior Officers working under Kinji Tohyama. As a precondition of the preceding statement, Baskerville will surrender to Rampan.』Your position would be about equwivalent to a bwigadier general. In all of Rampan, there awen’t 20 such people. Wising to the 20th highest position in such a short pewiod of time is something that has never happens before. You’d hawve to be the biggest idiot in the universe to refewse, but if you do– then a duel will be allowed under the wules of FEW.」

In other words…

『We are offering you status, money, and women to become our soldier. Refuse, and you will die.』is the simple message.

Mainlanders are so easy to understand.

「–Yuan. Did they do anything to you? Hurt you?」

From beside Meimei, she shook her head.

「Do you have feelings for this girl? Kinchi, you hawve qwite the eye. Even at gunpoint, this girl would tell us nowthing. She’s very good at pwaying the innocent. What if we make her your slave? Will that make it easier for you to join Rampan?」

Turning a grinning face toward Yuan, Meimei laughed..

「We didn’t even need her to confwess. We only had to pwessure Kou a bit to learn about your and Riko Mine’s meeting with her. We know all about Riko Mine’s warped charawcter. At any rate, we knew something stwange was going on. Shokatsu was dwagging his feet and Riko was stirring. We knew Riko well at one point in time, so we huwied to obtain this weassignment from Shanghai.」

Meimei stared at Riko, and she scowled back.

Meimei stuck out her tongue and winked back at Riko like Fujiya’s mascot Peko-chan. They had friendly relations during her time at IU.

Each side knows the other very well, so once Riko started acting, it was only a matter of time before they noticed.

Regardless, I feel strangely relaxed–

Because of that meeting I had.

I believe in my trump card.

And by『believe in』I mean…

In short, don’t I mean leave the entire matter up to someone else?

Leaving the life and freedom of the『Man who makes the impossible, possible』, Enable, up to someone else. That’s terrible,

「…What’s happened to Shokatsu?」

I brought up the name of the man who had been left out…

「–He is alweady gone. Shokatsu is all bwains. Shanghai still allows him to manage Hong Kong Rampan, but that will soon end.」

「Is that how you talk about your superior?」

「He has been until now. If you accept the position of Chief Soldier, then as your main wives, our rank will rise according to the rules. Then Shokatsu will be our subordinate. It may have been slightly premature, but Shokatsu has already been seized. Kihihi!」

At what was no doubt the most enjoyable point of all, Meimei squinted and raised her voice in pleasure.

「–Kinchi, this reassignment is our final-offer-cum-marriage proposal. With this political marriage, Rampan and Baskerville will be united. After this, we can keep on working together and aim for the top of Rampan!」

She declared this boldy, and was very excited by the prospect, but…

At the mention of the unacceptable word『proposal』, Aria and Shirayuki glared at me with a demonic expressions, while Reki and Riko’s eyes were absolutely frigid.

If I accepted the Koko’s proposal, these four would definitely kill me. So I must refuse this offer of four Chinese brides.

I must refuse decisively… it is abundantly clear that much has been decided.

Ever since coming to Hong Kong, getting lost, and storming out my support of the team has been lacking. Right now, I have to improve my standing in their eyes, or it will be totally lost.

「Shanghai has made a mistake. They’ve chosen the wrong person for the job.」

I straightened my posture and sharpened my gaze.

「Shokatsu was alright, but you are no good.」

I told them plainly that they had failed as negotiators.

I thought I did it well and with flair, but…

What’s this…?

For some reason, they paled slightly and took a step back.

「…Y-you… would like a man for a bride instead then…?」

Wait a second!

That’s not what I meant!

I looked up to protest, but…

*Lean!*

All the Baskerville girls had leaned away from me…!

「K-Kinji, you… I got the feeling that you were close with Watson… and I don’t really know much about your brother, but… I guess blood tells? Oh, not that I discriminate…!」

「K-Kin-chan… I know you care a lot for me…B-but is it like that…? if so, that’s a huge obstacle to having progeny…」

「Uwah…! This is a must-have for my report… And so the plot thickens… Now that I think back on you past action, I can see which way you swing… That’s Ki-kun for you…」

「………」

Even Reki remained silent for a long space….!

「Th-that’s not what I meant! At negotiations! That’s what I said! Shokatsu is good at them! That’s all! 」

Eyes bloodshot, I drew my Beretta, but all their faces said:『We understand. There’s no need to be upset.』

Their pitying gazes looked like the indulgence granted to a minority.

Oh, come on…!

After all my plans to present a better image, all the girls are drawing further away from me…!

I-it’s fine. We can sort this out later.

Taking a deep breath like Vlad,

「–Keep alert!」

Snapping out an order like I had learned to do from Ranbyou, I refocused Baskerville on the task at hand, and everyone straightened.

「This is an order from your Leader. You’ve had enough to eat and drink. Now it’s time to get to work.『No work, no play.』」

Saying that, I straightened my collar and did not holster my Beretta.

–It’s time to fight.

Everyone drew their guns.

「Koko. What I’m saying is that I have a bigger perspective. In Japan we have a saying that:『It’s not about the money.』All the people around the world who care for nothing but money or position are mistaken. Even in your country you have:『Flattery is seldom a virtue.』don’t you? 」

Koko looked bewildered by my argument.

It appears that she still doesn’t understand.

They think if they offer money and position to an enemy general, he should be willing to betray his organisation. It is strange to them when this doesn’t happen.

These must be… what are called ‘Global Standards’.

From one perspective, I can understand the internal logic.

However–

As we spoke of last night, in Japan, there are values that do not always follow reason.

This idea is hard to encapsulate in the word『culture』.

Rather, the idea of money or material good holding control over human nature is disgusting and offensive. At least it is to me.

This is what they do not understand. Not at all.

Even here, I will not compromise on those values.

It might serve me better if I were more cosmopolitan, but it would be wrong on my first time abroad.

But…

I got so worked up over a fake Aria.

Even if the making of imitations is the national specialty, it was disrespectful of her. That’s why she was so angry.

Coupled with the embarrassment at the fact that I fell for it….

The decision to fight pounded inside me alongside the irritation.

I ran away from the fact that I had insulted Aria.

But she is still my partner.

「Well that’s that, then. Can’t be helped. We understand you, Kinchi. In short, you’re taking us and Rampan lightly.」

With that, all trace of conciliation vanished from her face–

An expression of pure ruthlessness was all the remained.

「We will take our revenge for this slight.」

Koko. For one thing, you have my thanks. Because of you, I took my first step out into the world and came to realise something here in Hong Kong.

It’s an unjustified prejudice to say as is occasionally said in Japan:『People in some countries are bad, and people in other countries are good』…

There are good and bad people in every country.

Here in China there’s Yuan and the people in North Point and Shokatsu–good people you can communicate with. Then there are people like the Koko who you can’t talk with.

That’s just how it is.

It’s the same in Japan.

There are a lot of good people, and I apologise for the bad.

「We will give you half a minute to reconsider. If you do not surrender and come over to our side…Then the duel will proceed…!」

–*Riiip!*

She ripped the scroll in half.

For better or worse, things have accelerated.

「I fully expected a duel. But Koko… The rules of FEW do not allow the weak to intervene. Those rules must be followed.」

「What do you mean?」

「If you lose, you must do as I say. Of course, it is the same for me, and if I lose I will join Rampan.」

I spoke these high-handed words to keep the rest of Baskerville in check–

None of them looked particularly surprised.

Their expressions seem to indicate that they believe that we will win all at once and cannot lose to the Koko.

My girls have nothing but the utmost confidence in their abilities.

「—Agreed. We do not wish to damage Rampan Castle, and from Shokatsu’s report, we are aware that the number of our soldiers has decreased. If there are too many of us, it will get cramped anyway. So from Rampan will be Juu Juu, Paonyan, Meimei, and Jinyang…」

Saying that, Meimei cast her gaze around the many battleaxes and dragon head guandao decorating the walls.

From the beginning, I knew that some of them were not decorative, but properly made combat weapons. Now she is choosing which one she wants to use.

「….Even counting the maids. The number of defenders is low, but this castle is protected by an elite special force. That is, Kihihi! –The Peer of Heaven, Son Goku–!」

Convinced of the surety of Son’s power, Meimei laughed and revealed their plan–

*Grasp!* *Grasp!*

She took down two snake blades that were hung in an X-shape on the wall.

Snake blades are swords with undulating shape to the blade, a wicked design. They are intended to inflict deep wounds and allow bacteria to enter so that the wounds do not heal quickly. They are not meant to kill… but to inflict pain on the victim. They are blades meant to express resentment for you enemy. It appears she can dual wield them.

Intending to intimidate us, Meimei skillfully whipped the swords through the air, describing a figure 8.

「Alright, Baskerville. Let’s start this『Game of Death』. Rampan Castle has 3 storeys. One of of us will guard the first floor, and so on until the top floor where one of us and Son will be with Shokatsu as a witness. It will be fun to see how far even one of you can get!」

… I see.

Each of the four Koko sisters have already taken up their own position, so only Meimei came to see us.

『Game of Death』–that’s the name of a Bruce Lee film.

At the climax, Lee climbs a tower and faces various enemies waiting for him on each floor as he ascends.

The Koko seems to be copying this narrative, and have stationed themselves on each floor. How sporting.

This is the elite special force that she spoke of… but they are hidden throughout the castle. We don’t know where they will come from…

「Kin-chan, what she says is true. Son is on the roof. I can feel it.」

Behind the back of her sailor suit–

–Shirayuki drew Irokaneayame and kept it hidden.

「Shirayuki Hotogi, I am your opponent. Everyone else may go up. We have divided up the prey, and my sisters are waiting for you above. This is Communism!」

With her own unique brand of Communism, Meimei called out Shirayuki.

Was she called on because they know about Kou’s plan…?

As I wondered that…

「Last September you sliced our plans on the Shinkasen into ribbons.」

From what Meimei said, though, that does not seem to be the case.

It seems that she is weilding a jian herself to match her opponent who carries a Japanese sword.

「This time my Hotogi Sacred Arts– will cut through this castle.」

Without asking me for a strategy, Shirayuki played her War Card eagerly.

「Kihi!」

Baring her fangs, Meimei took a bottle of Magnum brandy with an『XO』on the side and– *Shing!*–sliced the top off the bottle and started taking mouthfuls….

*Glug!* *Glug!*

With it turned upside down in her mouth, she drank it all in one go.

Witnessing such a scene shocked Shirayuki.

An intense smell of alcohol filled the room. Yesterday we found out that Shirayuki could hold her liquor, but Meimei can’t compare to that, can she? Even full grown men would succumb to the effects of alcohol poisoning if they chugged that much at once.

「–Be careful, Shirayuki. She’s got to be drunk. This is Zui Quan1— it’s got to be her sword style! I may be wrong, but if she’s drunk, she may get stronger…!」

「–I’ve only seen it twice before and not for long. Her movements will become more erratic and harder to predict. Don’t underestimate her.」

Aria and I gave her advice, and Shirayuki, answered:「Got it.」and nodded–

「Kinji-san. There are a lot of boats gathering outside.」

Sharp-eyed Reki announced after spotting them outside the window.

If I had to describe it, I would have said that there were many watch fires on the night sea.

They were getting closer. As Reki had said, there were ships, but there weren’t just a few– there weren’t even 10 or 20. There were at least 100, and they were flooding around the castle.

Rampan’s organisational structure is able to coordinate its members’ logistics better than the police.

「Hmph! You noticed later then expected!」

With a *Crash!*, Meimei threw the bottle down and smashed it.

「That’s a relief! Those are civilians. You can’t swim away and escape Rampan Castle because they’ll act as a barrier. Kihihi!」

The first time I saw Rampan Castle, I thought that it was full of escape routes via the sea…

Now that thought seems childish. They are using human wave tactics, and have closed off all escape routes from Rampan Castle. They’ve covered the sea with people.

But none of us have any intention of running from this duel. I wonder how Riko feels about it though? Whether a wall or fence, however, there has to be a foundation.

「Alright, let’s get started…*Hic!* Tonight we fight! It’s a fighting festival…!」

*Stagger!* *Stagger!* With unsteady steps like some monster from a horror film, Meimei…

Lurched forward, dragging the tips of her sword on the ground, without taking up any kind of stance.

In a single instant, she disregarded all the standard forms of fencing, and grinned at her opponent.

Then–

「–Let the battle begin!」

Meimei suddenly shouted and leapt into action, and,

*Do——n———–g!*

From outside the front door of Rampan Castle, the ear splitting noise of a copper bell reverberated.

In response, *Uoooohhhh…….!*, from the sea all around us a cry went up and was answered by the call of horns. It was a cheer of encouragement for the Koko sisters. These are Rampan’s waters.

Hearing it, Shirayuki was slightly perplexed. At first, their cheering doesn’t seem like much–

But it actually had an almost hypnotic effect. In the world of sports, the effect is well known at away games where the other side’s supporters cheer their team on and try to disrupt your concentration and morale. Realising that you are quite literally surrounded by people friendly to your enemy, anyone would be intimidated, if only on a subconscious level.

Sounding like the roar of the sea itself, even I lost a bit of my nerve.

–But I can ignore it.

「Alright! Let’s take her at her word and leave this level to Shirayuki. Everyone else, lets go up, I’m slightly shaken standing here.」

Aria stepped forward, and *Whipsh!*

From who knows where, she had taken out and was manipulating an anime-style controller I knew had been made by Hiraga-san.

Then– *Pa!* *Pa!* *Pa!* From the jars all around the dining room and where I had slept last night, small surfboard like objects appeared.

That’s…

Aria’s YHS-01– Hover Skirt. It’s individual parts, at least.

Koko stared at it wide-eyed alongside the rest of us as jet noise filled the large dining hall–

Coupling mid-air, it flew to the large, open space behind Aria, and with a series of *Clicks!*, fastened itself to her midsection.

Th-that’s too cool! It’s just like a mecha-anime transformation!

But wait… There are some parts leftover that rattled loosely.

Behind the YHS, only half a propeller had formed, and it fell to the floor behind her.

That doesn’t look like it’s supposed to happen.

「…H-huh!」

Aria furrowed her pink eyebrows and started mashing buttons on the controller wildly.

Then the leftover parts of the front of the hover skirt… *Pop!* let out a comical sound from the jet nozzles and tried to make an emergency landing on the table, but ended up crashing to the floor, and rolling out the window.

I-is this…… c-catastrophic failure…..?

It was also smoking oddly during it’s emergency landing.

What the hell! It broke at the most critical moment. Hiraga-san, I’m sure Aria will have a few choice words to share with you.

「Huh…? W-wait! S-stop! Stop, I said!」

Legs flailing wildly, Aria shouted,

「H-hey…!」

She continued to rise slowly from the floor, not under her own control…

And was headed straight toward me!

「H-huh! Wh-whaa! Stay away from me, Stupid-Kinji!」

「Aaah!」

Although it is compact and designed for only one person, the propulsive power of the YHS is tremendous–

–*Splat!*

Unluckily, in the course of trying to avoid her like she told me, Aria ended up knocking me over, and I fell flat on my back.

And that squishy sound on impact was…

As Aria flailed her legs, they ended up wrapped around my face.

From the impact of the crash, the YHS was rendered inoperable, and Aria ended up sitting on my face after the emergency landing was completed.

「……」

As she was not also destined to disappear through the window into the night sky, Aria… ended up squatting on top of my face.

「Ooooooh! Ooooooh! That’s am~A~zing!!!!」

「… Kin-chan really seems to enjoy it…」

「……」

While my field of vision was obscured, each of their 3 reactions reached my ears (except Reki’s).

「Uh… I need another drink. Another bottle.」

I heard Koko explain in a disgusted tone.

I’m sure it’s fresh in Shirayuki’s mind–

The outcome of Son and my grappling in the lingerie shop, but now the positions are inverted.

「Huh… Th… def… Chi… …off.」

Is what I managed to mutter from between Aria’s legs.

Coincidentally, what I wanted to say was:『Huh…! This is definitely the real thing. Not a Chinese knock-off』, but Koko could not hear my line… Well that’s how it goes.

This is not good—

My bloodflow increased.

It flowed to the core of my body… and a pleasant sensation washed over me–

Hysteria Mo…

「……」

*Plap!*

Two small hands came up to check the pulse in my head.

Then, *Drag!* *Drag!*

I dragged myself out past Aria’s knees. Heh heh! What power!

My field of view expanded, and I could see the deep red fabric lining of her Butei High skirt–and through the gap between her knees I saw the ceiling.

「Yo!」

I greeted her again, but her lovable doll-like face…

It was as blank as Reki’s. What’s more, her camellia eyes lacked all light.

As if I were being birthed, I slid out from under Aria smoothly across the floor, face-up–

And righted myself lightly.

Landing on one knee, I peered into Aria’s face.

「–I remember. The first time we met, you looked at me this way.」

When Riko bicycle-jacked me, and she came from the sky to save me. When Aria caught me.

「Tonight, I will catch you. As a small expression of my gratitude.」

Still slightly stunned. Aria mewled softly.

To fulfill my promise, I swept gathered her up and held her in my arms.

Then with a *Clank!*, the YHS clattered to the floor.

Then seeing the same darkness in Shirayuki’s eyes,

「I entrust this place to your care, Shirayuki. This form of mine that you have seen twice before, you may yet see a third. You must prevail against Meimei, if we are to meet again.」

For some reason, saying something so incomprehensible caused a fresh smile to break out upon her face.

The Shirayuki who had been frozen in place until then, under my blessing turned her smiling face toward me…

「–Got it!」

Then she removed her Hotogi cloth seal.

Meimei. You don’t know how stubborn Shirayuki can be, do you? Even you should exercise due caution.

Then…

Drawing her sword up into a hasso stance, and wreathing her sword in flames, I left things here to Shirayuki– and the rest of us left the grand dining hall, and headed up to the second level via the stairs.

—Kou!

She had made it painfully clear that Irokaneayame was necessary in her plan to kill Son…

At it’s very inception, it was an impossible idea.

Because I cannot kill you.

But that is alright.

I dismissed that plan at the very beginning.

No matter how it’s structured, I cannot hurt a woman.

That includes Kou. I care for you the same as Son. She even remarked happily:『You’re my type.』Jokingly, I accepted that remark with:『Are you serious?』

I accepted those feelings, so you must accept me as well. All of me.

If you’re going to shoot me, then shoot.

Shoot me with your true feelings.

I will accept it– your laser of love.

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

Myself, Riko, Reki, –and Aria still in my arms– raced through the first floor’s main hall, keeping an eye out on our way to the stairs to the second floor.

「The second level of Rampan Castle has an open layout and is well prepared in case of a siege– there being only one staircase to the third level. I believe that the enemy is already in position.」

Riko reported, and I remembered the second floor balcony from my earlier scouting.

The third floor stuck out over the balcony, so we wouldn’t be able to get up to it from there.

This is what they call a ninja-guard–a kind of rat-guard but for people. It was a simple, but effective measure to stymie attacking forces, and we wouldn’t be climbing up from there.

Passing the stone lion handrails guarding the stairs, we reached the second floor main hall.

「–!」

Aria, who I had been carrying princess-style beat on my chest, and I let her down to the floor.

Then she stopped us all, and gestured with a serious look on her face… her flat chest was just barely even with the corner of the stairway.

Behind the corner of the stairs where we could see into the next hall, Aria removed the bow from her uniform and tossed it into the open.

Then– *Pa!**Pa!**Pa!**Pa!**Pa!**Pa!*

Her bulletproof bow was hit with no less than ten bullets out of an uncountable number that sprayed out from the dragon relief on the wall, creating a rash of bullet holes.

「They are 12 QBZ-95B’s and 4 QBZ-03’s. Their position is high. They’ve got to be arranged across the stairs.」

Aria was able to tell all that just from the gunshots, and she drew her silver and black Governments from her leg holsters.

The rifles Aria mentioned are Norinco2assault rifles.

As a Japanese Butei, I’m familiar with the 95B and the 03, the B must indicate that it is a shortened carbine form of the regular 95.

From the speed and the hail of bullets just now–I can tell that these are trained soldiers. At least two squads.

We have Aria’s Governments, my Beretta and DE, Riko’s Walther, and Reki’s Dragunov. We have a lack of firepower and less than a third of the numbers.

From inside my Butei handbook, I took out a tool like a dentist’s mirror, and Aria carefully peered around the corner into the hall first…

…This is awkward.

The large golden stairs are the same as yesterday, and there is a huge tortoise camped out there.

To be more precise, there’s a hexagon and pentagon pattern of transparent bulletproof shields arranged like a tortoise without any gap and manned by the dumpling bun maids.

There are sixteen of them side by side… and to prevent ricochets, there are shields above them as well as behind. It looked like a soccer ball cut in half.3

Moreover, to protect against Flash Bullets, they are wearing dark sunglasses. Their defense plan is flawless.

Standing in the centre of the shell with arms folded and striking a daunting pose–

That is to say the only one who looks to be not working, Paonyan Koko. Stuffed into the sash at her waist was the Israeli masterpiece sub-machine gun, an extended magazine UZI.

Noticing our surveillance… several 03’s popped out from the neck of the tortoise, and firing, shattered my mirror.

Ah! It’s broken.

「…」

Goodness, I shrugged my shoulders as a joke to my companions, but…

How are we going to handle this?

This is like the entwined tortoise and snake depicted as a sacred beast, The Black Tortoise.

Perfect offense and defense that is hard to deal with.

–Even in Hysteria Mode, it’s a bit of a problem.

Supposing we lit off some kind of smoke screen, then from inside the shell a barrage of bullets would blanket the stairs…

If they’ve taken precautions against Reki’s Flash Bullets, they’ve probably prepared for her Bang Bullets4 as well.

Aria’s Bomb Bullets could probably drive them off, but probably not without casualties.

Butei Regulation 9– It’s an ironclad Japanese law, and a huge handicap in a fight.

「…Who’s going? If no one else is, I will!」

Even after seeing the Black Tortoise formation, Aria calmly raised her dual Government.

But I gripped her hand gently, and plucked her index finger away from the trigger.

Aria would definitely mount a violent frontal assault, but against that formation there’s no question that she wouldn’t be able to break it,

I understand that Aria wants to make up for her slip-up on the first floor and redeem herself…

「…Umph!….Umph!…」

「Aria, wait.」

「…Umph!….」

I felt her warmth through the palm of my hand as I held her back from attacking the Black Tortoise.

If Aria went out there, I would have to go with her.

Mine and Aria’s guns are modified to shoot in full auto or 3 shot bursts, but if we got in a firefight against 16 fully automatic rifles, we would soon run out of bullets. That’s what the enemy probably wants.

From experience– as the enemy probably knows all too well– Aria and I will have trouble if we run out of bullets.

So we shouldn’t give up the advantage of our gun master Aria so soon.

But…

If that’s the case, who can I leave this problem to? …Riko? …Reki?

I can never make personnel decisions.

「Advance in 3 minutes! Aim for Riko Mine! You have permission to kill!」

Some woman shouted in Chinese shrilly but clearly, and Riko sarcastically exclaimed:『Wonderful!』 and turned to look at me…

「That was the Head Maid’s voice just now. Riko disguised herself as her when she went with Ki-kun to visit Kou-san. Heh!『Aim for Riko Mine. You have permission to kill.』she says. By the way she also said『Advance in 3 minutes.』」

Riko scratched the back of her head as she stressed each verb and grinned wryly.

…Will the other side really make the first move?

This tortoise has legs, but that doesn’t mean that will hinder them in anyway.

All things considered, I don’t want to rush things.

Well… there’s no other way. I’ll have to ask for help, won’t I?

After hearing that they want to kill Riko, from the floor came the voice:「I will go.」and the movement of a shadow.

「Hilda. I’ll ask you now.」

I said, and as Riko stood confused…

–*Whoosh!*–…!

Riko’s shadow grew beneath her feet, separated, then flew into the second floor hall.

Riko quickly retrieved the broken mirror that had fallen earlier and we both peered around the corner–

A shadow slithered it’s way up the golden staircase beneath them, disturbing all the maids. Since there was a shadow moving around, they all looked up but saw nothing above them.

But no one has done anything effective.

That’s the situation. How do you fight a shadow? I know from experience that you can’t use your hands or feet.

As they watched, the shadow stretched out wings like a large bat…

–*Whoosh!*– *Bzzzt!* *Bzzzzzzt!**Bzzzzt!**Bzzt!*

The entire stairway was covered in an intense light and the violent crackle of electricity was heard.

…!

This attack is Hilda’s specialty. 600,000 – 900,000 volts of electricity are flowing beneath them, inflicting much the same effect as a stun gun. I was hit with it once outside of the Skytree.

With a clatter, all the maids instantly collapsed and tumbled down the stairs.

Looking down on the spectacle… *Shiver!*…*Shiver!*…

…She was there. Standing atop the golden staircase.

With blond ringlets and twintails, wax white pale skin, and black themed Gothic Lolita clothing–

「…Fii Bucuros!」5

–The Dragon Princess, Dracula Hilda

It’s been a while since I’ve seen her.

That’s because she dislikes sunlight, she is nocturnal and the daylight hours are when she gets most of her sleep.

It works well with Riko, but mine and Aria’s daily routine don’t really match up.

Now that I think about it, it’s a lucky thing that Rampan chose to fight in the evening.

「I do so love looking down upon the crumpled forms of my utterly defeated enemies!」

She smiled sadistically, as her high heels clicked on the ground–

Because of the electric shock, the maids are unable to use their shields or guns and after a short while, they staggered away, escaping into the VIP room on that floor.

As expected of Paonyan, she managed to anticipate Hilda’s electrical discharge and managed a partial dodge, though not to the extent that she avoided all damage… The maids collapsed and fell on top of each other as they tumbled down the stairs. With how many times they hit their heads, they all have to withdraw.

–As we cleared the VIP room, it was a good chance for us to make a break for the stairs.

「As good as ever, Hilda! Thanks for lending a hand. In China we were bound to be defeated by numbers, at any rate.」

To keep Hilda in a good mood, I had to praise her first–

「Ho! Ho! Ho!」

Hilda’s almond shaped eyes narrowed as she brought up a red nail polished manicured hand to her mouth as she laughed.

Then on her back… small bat-like wings sprouted as she took up position behind Riko once more with a *Flap!* *Flap!* as she spread her wings.

She seems happy to have been praised.

「I am a captive of DEEN as well. I can well guard this staircase.」

She volunteered to stay here and stop any other enemies.

In the past, Watson told me the secret to defeating Hilda…『Praise』. It looks like it really works.

This staircase is also well suited to Hilda’s skills, as it is made of gold.

Gold is one of the most electrically conductive metals in the world.

This is the ideal place to halt an enemy advance with the flow of electricity. I haven’t heard any such thing from Riko about the third floor staircase.

「She is a famous celebrity in the world of demi-humans… I would truly like to meet with Son, however, I would most definitely prefer not to be turned into a corpse after the pleasure of that experience.」

Hilda opened and hoisted her parasol above her and

「… I have no intentions of dying, At the very least, not until after arranging and carrying out our date.」

With that irresponsible parting shot, we headed up the stairs to the third floor.

The landing beneath our feet changed to marble, and as Aria, Reki, and Riko stretched out into a line–

「Hiya–!」

*Tap!* *Tap!* *Tap!*

Carrying a large Celadon porcelain jar, Paonyan rushed out from the second floor hall.

At the end of the line, Riko raised the Walther P99 in her left hand–

「…!?」

But she couldn’t shoot at Paonyan.

The pot was porcelain and may be stuffed full of explosive like some kind of primitive bomb.

The Mongol Invasions– the 13th century Chinese used them in their invasion of Japan. They were called『Tetsuhau』and were like grenades with sharp processional fragments inside. Dispersed by the explosion at high speed, they attained sufficient lethality.

Not knowing what was inside, I could not shoot, but in the corner of my eye–

The VIP room door cracked open and something was thrown out.

A large pillow was tossed like a Frisbee and landed halfway up the golden stairs in front of Hilda.

As we stood at a loss due to the inexplicable action of the enemy,

「Haa!」

Paonyan, still clutching the jar, made a dive for the stairs.

I thought it must be some kind of kamikaze attack, but… *Plop!*

Paonynan successfully placed the herself and the pot atop the pillow and laid on her stomach.

「…Just what are you attempting?」

Hilda scowled at Koko, but she merely laughed as she squatted inside the pot.

Immediately, I knew it was not a suicidal attack, but Hilda–*Bzzzt!*

Instantly, the golden stairs were charged with high voltage current, but the jar did not explode. Porcelain is a dead insulator–

「–Everyone, run!」

I understood Paonyan’s strategy and rushed Aria and Reki toward the third floor.

That jar was not a weapon–it was an insulated foothold, resistant to high voltage current.

Hilda’s eyebrows narrowed, and I saw Riko turn her back toward the third floor stairs.

「Ki-kun, Son-chan is up there. I’ll stay here with her.」

She turned back half around, and with a *Click!* drew her other Walther with her right hand.

She plans to stop the enemy here with Hilda.

So that I can move ahead.

Paonyan popped up from inside the jar and sprayed a barrage with her UZI as the rest of us retreated behind the corner of the hall across the marble landing.

「Ri-Riko…!」

Aria cried out in worry,

「A Quadra’s no pushover. Isn’t that right, Aria?」

Riko pulled knives out from her twin pigtails and her face’s expression was like that when she was『The Butei Killer』.

I could discern a difference in physical ability between Paonyan and the rest of the maids who lacked her superhuman jumping power. Only Paonyan would be able to advance this way.

However, Hilda’s electrical power was not infinite. I got the feeling that she was holding back on that last shock.

I don’t know how many times she can use that electric landmine.

–We have to hurry.

Paonyan is creeping closer and closer to the corner of the staircase that Riko is defending…

「Riko, I’ll leave this to you.」

I pushed Aria and Reki onward.

「You’ll owe me for this, Kinji. Hilda and I will buy you time.」

Riko watched Paonyan’s movements by sticking out the mirror I used earlier around the corner…

At Riko’s words『Hilda and I』, I think I saw Hilda’s wings flap more violently.

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

We went up to the third floor cafeteria where Shokatsu, Riko, and I had our morning coffee…

「…」

It was empty.

The second floor was full of people, but this floor was eerily the opposite.

Without making a sound, we all sidled along until we were behind the bar counter.

Moving along in a squatting posture, the girls’ skirts presented a small issue… but I was in the lead. As long as I don’t look back, I shouldn’t end up seeing anything I shouldn’t.

As I brushed away these idle thoughts–*Bang!* A gunshot resounded through the cafeteria.

Hearing a *Crash!*, *Thud!*, and the impact of a bullet above and behind me, I couldn’t help but turn to make sure my friends were safe.

Looking back, I saw that a cocktail glass has been shattered, and a few shards had rained down and fallen on top of Reki’s bob-style haircut.

「–Kinji-san.」

Ah… she looks…

A little mad, and I get the feeling I shouldn’t have done that.

Behind her, Aria clamped her knees together, and looked wide-eyed with anger.

I really am sorry.

I truly had no ulterior motives in doing that.

「That was a challenge.」

Strange as it may be, I get the feeling that Aria is angry with someone else…

Reki reported quietly:

「That was a warning from a sniper. No matter where we go, she will anticipate us and fire.」

Without brushing away the glass shards from her hair, Reki raised her rifle slightly.

「…Juujuu?」

I spoke the name of the Koko sister sniper abruptly, and Reki nodded.

「She is concealed somewhere within this level, and she had already missed us once. I was able to determine her position from the gunshot. When we entered this level and hid ourselves behind the counter– she should have been able to pick off anyone of us. She must have deliberately missed.」

「She’s toying with us!」

Aria frowned.

「I do not believe that is the case. I think she must have thought that it was unfair for her alone to have a concealed position. Therefore, she waited until we were in a covered position before calling me out.」

Reki declared dispassionately.

To tell the truth… the sniper is the only gun-user in the world that I do not understand.

Unlike us who engage the enemy directly, the sniper can strike down their enemies in one shot before they are noticed–as if they wielded some transcendental power.

Because of that, many people have all kinds of superstitions about them.

In such cases, these people have deep seated beliefs, put faith in signs, and can be almost religious in their observances of such omens. They will observe these sets of『Personal Rules』scrupulously when having anything to do with snipers.

「I will accept Juujuu’s challenge. Kinji-san and Aria-san should continue up to the roof.」

Reki said–

And hefted her partner the Dragunov sniper rifle.

「I will defeat or pin her down here. I believe that she wants a rematch of our sniper battle on Mt. Hiei–I also desire to face her in a duel.」

A duel?

Reki and Juujuu– if I had to provide a metaphor, I’d say they were modern day female knights.

They will compete from several hundred metres away, each charging their opponent with a huge lance like knights of old.

This is a fair duel.

Thinking about it that way… we can’t interfere in this contest.

–Therefore, I will respect Reki’s decision.

「Whether she shoots us or not, you must hold your cover…alright? From what you’ve said, I think she’s making light of you. Show that overconfident Juujuu how wrong she is. Show her who the best sniper in the world is.」

I brushed the glass shards off the headphones on her head…

「That night, in that forest, you helped me. Tonight, let me do something for you.」

I took out the CalorieMate fruit bar I had put in my pocket yesterday and slipped it into the lovely curve of Reki’s breast pocket.

「…」

「You can do this, Reki.」

She remained silent, but I’d wager that was the pride of a female knight.

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

Headed up toward the third floor roof were a set of dark, narrow stairs–

「Kinji, wait a second… Sorry.」

Turning around toward the voice, I saw Aria slightly behind me on the steps, holding her chest and gasping.

How far up these stairs have we gone? Didn’t you practically sprint up the stairs to the observation deck of Tokyo Tower?

Going back down to where Aria was,

「Is it a slow acting poison?」

Her pupil dilation and breathing– were normal.

But I’m not a MEDICA student, so I can’t say for sure.

「No… Wait a second… my chest… it’s not something new. It’s something that happens every once and a while.」

Aria clenched the left side of her chest, and took a long, deep breath and let it out again.

I’ve seen this a few times before… Aria would sometimes have a sudden attack. I knew that if we rested for a minute though, she would recover. Not taking a small break would be a bad idea.

The faint bittersweet scent of Gardenia wafted from Aria… I started wondering if I should rub her back.

But there’s really no way to tell her back apart from her chest.

As I had this rude thought, as we stood on the dark stairs–

I noticed something inside my pocket was glowing.

Taking my butterfly knife out…drawing it from its sheath, I saw that it was glowing red.

I’ve seen this happen before when rescuing Aria from Patra and during the car chase with Son.

The exact reason eludes me, but what do all these cases have in common…

–What is it?

「…!」

「That’s it…!」

Aria and I both met each other’s eyes at the same moment.

–We both had the same idea.

I didn’t have to be a psychic, but I felt an impending sense of fate like a dinosaur.

She was up there.

Son Goku– a dominating presence immortalised in Chinese legend.

She was really here, in all of her raw power–right now on the rooftop of Rampan Castle.

I was going to fight her for the third time.

The first time I was unprepared, and the second Son was just playing, so we are currently at an unbearable state of draw.

This time, Baskerville has interfered to alter Rampan’s internal politics…

This time, neither Son nor I can withdraw.

Son and I must come to this final showdown. There will be no next time.

Until now we have been dancing all around the subject, but this unresolved relationship ends now.

I will make our exact relationship clear, right here, Son.

[END TEXT]

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

Notes:

1. Drunken Fist/Boxing is a general name for all styles of Chinese martial arts that imitate the movements of a drunk person. It is an ancient style and its origins are mainly traced back to the famous Buddhist and Daoist sects. -WIKIPEDIA

2. Short for ‘Northern Industrial Corporation’, the National Chinese Defense company.

3. Katakana say ‘soccer’, so I kept it. To the majority of the world, this is football.

4. ‘Cannon’ in Katakana.

5. ‘Wonderful/Splendid’ in Romanian.