Unlimited Fafnir:Volume 12 Chapter 4

Chapter 5 - Pitch-Black Disaster

Part 1

The instant I opened the hatch, I almost lost balance due to a gust of strong wind. I steadied myself with a hand against the wall.

Currently, Marduk had decreased its altitude and its speed was dropping rapidly too. Hence, I decided it was possible to go outside even without an air barrier. However, this wind pressure was capable of blowing an entire person away if one were careless.

Arriving on Marduk's deck, I gripped the railing while moving towards the prow. Someone was already there.

Her shoulder-length hair and skirt swaying in the wind, she was looking down from the edge of the deck.

"—Can you see it, Firill?"

I approached her—Firill Crest—while asking in a voice loud enough to overcome the wind.

Only then did she notice and turn towards me with slight surprise. She smiled.

"Yes, I can see it. Thank you, Mononobe-kun, for making a detour to fulfill my selfish request."

"No problem, there's plenty of time before the operation starts. Furthermore, this isn't really a detour. The Principality of Erlia borders our charted course anyway."

I shook my head and asked the grateful Firill not to worry.

Indeed, Marduk was currently flying over Firill's homeland, the Principality of Erlia. Looking down from the deck, the view of a country rich with natural beauty, ringed by mountains, entered my sight.

"...It's such a tiny nation when I look down from the sky like this. But to me, it is an extremely place that I don't want to lose. That's why I wanted to confirm. What I must protect at all costs."

Firill looked out to her homeland while gripping the railing.

"Yeah—It must be extremely important to you."

Expressing determination to protect her homeland, the side of Firill's face overlapped with my memory of Mitsuki, who had defended the town where we lived in the past.

"Oh, Mononobe-kun! Look at that castle! And over there, a lake and a waterfall! Do you still remember?"

Firill pointed at the royal castle and the lake beside it.

"I didn't forget. We even danced together at the castle, and the waterfall was so loud."

My memories surfaced. This was the country where my first encounter with Hraesvelgr took place. The memories of the battle were especially vivid.

"So nostalgic... It feels like it just happened in front of me. However, this messes up the promise a little."

"Promise?"

Seeing Firill murmur in disappointment, I asked, and she smiled mischievously.

"My intention was to bring you back as my prince, Mononobe-kun, the next time I returned here."

"What—"

Firill admitted this with a blush, causing my heart to pound nonstop.

"Well, I suppose I've achieved the goal, sort of... Mononobe-kun, you said you'd take responsibility... Hmm, but you haven't fulfilled your promise properly yet. Oh, why don't we—"

After contemplating for a moment, resting the side of her face against her hand, Firill puffed out her chest as though she had thought of something.

"Mononobe-kun, this airspace belongs to the Principality of Erlia, doesn't it?"

"Yeah, that's right."

Shaken by her earlier words, I nodded stiffly.

"As such, I am the princess right now. Within this country, I am a super VIP."

"VIP—But isn't the Principality a democracy even though they have royalty?"

"Even so, I'm still a VIP, you know? I have clout and authority. Any objections...?"

"None at all."

"Excellent. So, the VIP—this princess—hereby commands. Mononobe-kun, kneel down before me."

With royal dignity in her countenance, Firill declared solemnly.

"Why?"

"Stop talking and just do it now."

"...Fine, I got it."

I gave up and sighed, then knelt down on one knee in front of Firill. I hastily bowed my head because kneeling down had provided me a view of the underside of the skirt billowing in the wind.

Next, in front of me while I was crouched down, Firill extended her hand.

"Kiss the back of my hand."

"K-Kiss!?"

I could not help but exclaim in hesitation. Then Firill spoke with some displeasure.

"I heard you did this with Lisa. Don't tell me... you won't do it with me? This is very important."

Her voice sounded extremely serious with mild insecurity in her expression.

Indeed, at Midgard's underground hot spring, after the comedic "transformation into my kind," I had kissed the disappointed Lisa on the back of her hand.

Being close friends with Lisa, Firill must have heard about what happened.

"—Understood."

I mustered my determination and took Firill's hand.

Since this was what she hoped, I had to grant her wish. This was out of my own volition, not responsibility for selecting her.

Her pale and slender hand was trembling lightly. Even though she was the one who had requested it, she seemed to be nervous.

This was one of Firill's traits. Hence, if anything happened, I must protect her and guide her.

"Please excuse me, Princess Firill."

I had to afford her the proper respect since she was carrying herself as royalty here. I brought my lips to make contact with her hand.

In that instant, Firll's entire body shook. Just as I withdrew my lips, she started going limp starting from her hand.

I looked up slowly and made eye contact with the blushing Firill.

However, she deliberately came up with an ostentatious speech in order to prevent her dignity as princess from crumbling.

"—I, Firill Crest, Princess of the Principality of Erlia, hereby swear upon the souls of my great ancestors, to accept this contract and take Mononobe Yuu as my lawfully wedded husband."

"Huh...?"

I stared at Firill in shock, then she repeated it again, blushing even more intensely.

"With this, Mononobe-kun, you're now my husband. My prince."

"Prince—J-Just wait a sec!"

"Of course I'm not going to wait. Even though it was simplified ceremony, what just took place was indeed a wedding. Within the Principality, it is legally binding so long as it is witnessed by a member of royalty. On this occasion, since I myself am royalty, there's no problem at all."

Firill made a thumbs-up. I hastily stood up and asked:

"What, that's a huge problem! I was totally kept in the dark, so—"

"Objection overruled. This marriage was conducted and sworn in the name of royalty. Mononobe-kun, we are now husband and wife. This is a princess' decision, so no complaining."

Firill pressed her finger to my lips to stop me from speaking, then a smile appeared on her blushing face and she hugged me from the front.

"Fufu, mission accomplished!"

"F-Firill..."

My brain's processing power could not keep up with the sudden development and the sensation of her bust.

I did not know what to do—However, Firill released the railing that she had been holding onto for support and wrapped her arms around my back, hugging me tightly, making my heart pound nonstop.

This had nothing to do with marriage or whatever. I became aware that the option of letting go of Firill never existed in my heart.

Feeling Firill's body warmth, I was thinking perhaps it really was time to take responsibility, but she left my embrace as though she had noticed something.

"—Oh, looks like my time as a princess has ended."

Looking at the ground, she said in disappointment.

"Uh, what do you mean?"

Unable to comprehend the situation, I asked.

"Now that we have crossed the mountain range, this isn't the Principality's airspace anymore. Since there isn't any contract of matrimony in writing, this marriage is only effective within the borders of the Principality. We are no longer husband and wife this moment, just classmates who are very close—Mononobe-kun. Sorry for scaring you."

Firill explained with a faint smile.

"Oh I see... You really scared me to death."

I relaxed my shoulders and exhaled deeply. Was this actually relief or dashed hopes? Even I myself could not tell.

"I wanted to make my dream come true before the next battle against Bahamut. Having a wedding after the battle felt like it'd be a dangerous flag to raise."

Firill spoke with a wry smile, but at that moment, she switched to a solemn expression and held my hand.

"However, what I said earlier was no joke. The fact that we are married in the Principality of Erlia, Mononobe-kun, is the truth, okay?"

Saying that, she raised my hand and slowly brought it close to her face.

She pressed her cherry lips against the back of my hand. Surprising me with the soft and slightly moist sensation, Firill looked up at me and smiled mischievously.

"Until the next time we visit the Principality, this secret is between only me and you, Mononobe-kun."

Then she left me and walked to the hatch.

Frozen, I watched her walking away, but just before entering the ship, she turned around and pointed at me strictly with her finger.

"Divorce or similar words are forbidden—My prince."

Part 2

NIFL's second defense line deployed across the waters of Norway was greater in scale than I imagined.

Around Marduk, which had landed on the sea, the fleet formed a line stretching from one end of the horizon to the other.

From the sky earlier, I had spotted aircraft carriers in the back too. It was probably from there that recon planes had been launched across the sky.

It would be no exaggeration to say that all of NIFL's remaining forces had gathered here. If the enemy broke past here, there would be no way to "protect humanity," hence this arrangement was only natural. My currently location was in fact the final defense line.

And right now, Marduk and the battleship Naglfar moored close by were in a discussion about the key points of this operation.

"—2nd Lieutenant Mononobe, can I trust in you?"

Standing on the deck of the Naglfar, Major Loki asked me in a deep voice. Side by side, the two battleships were separated by a distance of roughly ten meters. On the edge of each battleship's deck, it was possible to convey our voices to the other side.

"Yes. Just as mentioned in the previous report, Iris has figured out the location of her authority. This time, she should be able to unleash Catastrophe on a scale required to vanquish Bahamut in one go."

"Fine, but that is not the point I am doubting. What worries me is another matter. The third eye's range is ten thousand meters—Comparable to Bahamut's body length. In other words, it is necessary to launch the attack at point blank range. Delivering her to that position would be your responsibility. What I am asking is whether you have the resolve for that."

Major Loki shook his head and stared intently at me.

The strategy meeting had concluded already. Back when we were gathered at the bridge, Iris and Vritra had said the following through the monitor.

'—I've located my authority. If I close my eyes and focus my mind on my eyes, I can feel a red light in the eye on the right. Basilisk's power is in my right eye.'

'I too have confirmed that her right eye hath exhibited a faint red glow. Currently, she ought to be capable of drawing out the power consciously. Nevertheless, firing Catastrophe directly implieth she must approach the target. The trick of generating dark matter next to the enemy and transmuting it into Catastrophe is no longer an option, understood?'

What Major Loki brought up was the issue that Vritra had raised.

In any case, we had devised the operation in spite of the risks because "there was no other way," but after the meeting, Major Loki had called me out to the deck.

It seemed like he wanted to confirm my resolve prior to the operation.

"Of course I'll be able to do it for sure. With Catastrophe, Marduk's weaponry and the Ds' powers—Getting close to Bahamut is very feasible."

"—Thanks."

I saluted Major Loki with military etiquette.

The operation that was about to start was very simple. Charge Bahamut head on and fire Catastrophe once we got close. Bahamut should have already deemed Iris and Marduk as high-priority enemies, so feints were pointless. Consequently, the approach with the highest chance of success was breaking through from the front with maximum force while conducting a saturation attack. The machine intellect Atla had also reached the same conclusion.

"I am counting on your side. In the previous engagement, our gravity cannon Babel was effective against Bahamut. The special ICBM Cocytus—Gáe Bolg with its payload replaced by cryogenic agents—has also demonstrated effectiveness to some extent. We should be able to slow down Bahamut's movements."

Smiling confidently, Major Loki nodded and looked towards the prow—Bahamut was approaching from the northern sky.

"Probability of victory is definitely not low. No, considering the opponent is a dragon, this probability of victory might be too high. During this batttle, a means of victory was in our hands all along. This is very worth celebrating, but to me, it is a little offputting."

"...Major Loki, do you think this might be a trap?"

When I frowned and asked, he shrugged lightly.

"I didn't say that. Judging from Bahamut's actions, it doesn't have high intelligence. However, I am more wary of its actions and accompanying phenomena more than Bahamut itself. Why is it connecting the unknown territories? And why does its shadow turn into additional unknown territory? Right now, we still have no idea."

"Yeah... It bothers me a lot too."

Defeating Bahamut would not be the end of it, I told myself.

"Indeed, take care not to be caught unprepared. That being said, you have no cause to worry, 2nd Lieutenant Mononobe. All this time, you have been overturning the impossible. For us to be like this, or standing face to face, would've been impossible originally."

Turning his gaze back to me, Major Loki stared intently. I could not tell what he was thinking from his expression. Which side would die, or a case of mutual annihilation—The outcome of that battle was virtually preordained. It was definitely a miracle that we both survived. However...

"...It was not my own power. Kili was the one who healed you, Major Loki, and perhaps it was due to Atla that we both survived."

"Due to Atla?"

Showing complete surprise on his face, Major Loki repeated my words.

It was my first time seeing such a look on him, so I continued somewhat delightedly.

"Back then, when your plan failed, Major Loki, the Naglfar on the sea fired its main cannon at the break of dawn. However, now that I think about it, judging from the firepower, the intention was not to destroy Midgard."

While Ariella was using a gigantic shield to defend against the Naglfar's main cannon, Tia had hacked the ship to stop its attack.

The cannon was powerful, but I had doubts whether it could have destroy Midgard completely.

"From what I saw today, Atla seems to regard you with much affection, Major Loki. So back then, she might have hesitated in fear of getting you caught in the blast in case you were still alive."

At that moment, a muffled voice snarled from Major Loki's chest pocket.

"Wh__ nonsense ___ you ________!?"

"Atla denies it. Wishful thinking on your part, 2nd Lieutenant Mononobe."

Major Loki tapped his pocket which probably contained his portable terminal while replying in a surprised tone of voice.

"True, I don't have concrete evidence so I could be wrong. But don't you think the impossible might've been overturned by something so ordinary?"

While nodding, I looked back into his eyes forcefully.

"—Well, I cannot deny this possibility. The impossible for you and me could be something very simple for someone else, somewhere. It is true that Atla saved me. In that case, I should thank her."

Major Loki smiled with amusement and turned away. The noisy voice coming from his pocket suddenly stopped as though in shock.

"In any case, I now know the reason I lost last time. Sure enough, talking to you is very interesting."

"Interesting... huh?"

I muttered with mixed feelings. On my end, chills were running down my spine and I was breaking out in cold sweat.

"Yes, though of course, us trying to kill each other fills me with greater elation."

Leaving behind a gaze and words that felt like they could freeze my back, Major Loki returned inside the Naglfar.

"I really... don't want another go at that."

Left alone, I grumbled with a sigh, but my voice was lost in the wind. Amid the noise of waves and airplanes, my words did not reach anyone.

Part 3

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