Chapter 33: Echoes Beneath the Ashes

“Here, a gift for you, Kaoru.”

“Oh my, Master. Isn’t this the toy that’s all the rage in Capilla these days? Fufu, it’s adorable.”

“You know it well, huh?”

“Yes, I saw Kohane with a pamphlet for it recently. She scurried off like a dew drop, though.”

“Haha, Kohane’s still intimidated by you… Anyway, I’m glad you like it, Kaoru.”

“But Master, why give this to me?”

“For the sake of the things around you!”

“Huh…?”

“You keep breaking stuff every time you draw your sword. So, from now on, fire a warning shot with this first.”

“…Fufu, Master, if it’s alright, how about a quick spar?”

“K-Kaoru, I was kidding! Don’t give me that scary look! Don’t actually draw your sword! I’ll die if you cut me! Eek—!”

“Kaoru! Kaoru!”

…Huh.

The urgent voice calling my name snapped me awake, my eyes fluttering open.

“Kaoru… are you okay?” Sensei asked, her face etched with worry as she looked down at me.

“Master…? Where…” I murmured, realizing I was lying on her lap. Slowly, I lifted my head to take in our surroundings.

Is this… underground? What happened?

And why do I feel like I just had a vivid dream?

As I struggled to piece things together, Sensei let out a relieved sigh and explained.

“Phew… thank goodness. Someone launched three missile strikes on the summit. We tumbled into the catacombs beneath the cathedral. It seems Nagisa’s convoy was hit similarly.”

Three missiles…? Before Nagisa even arrived?

Stunned by the attack’s escalated intensity compared to the original story, I blinked, speechless. Sensei, still concerned, asked again, “Kaoru, are you really okay?”

“Fufu, I’m fine, Master. Didn’t you shield me, though?” I said, recalling the moment and quickly checking her for injuries.

She looked unscathed, but her expression turned bittersweet.

“…No, when I came to, you were the one shielding me,” she said.

“Oh my.” Me? When did I…?

“But… I’m unharmed too, right?” I noted.

Neither of us had a scratch, and my uniform was pristine, suggesting more than just physical resilience.

Noticing my sword and old pistol neatly placed beside me—likely by Sensei—I reached for them.

She spoke in a somber tone.

“It was sheer luck, Kaoru. Please don’t do anything that reckless again. I don’t want to see my student hurt protecting me.”

“Fufu, I’ll keep that in mind, Master,” I replied, though I doubt I’ll follow through if it means keeping you safe.

Did Arona protect both of us from the blast? Judging by Sensei’s reaction, she must’ve detected the missiles early.

I silently thanked the AI girl in the tablet, wishing I could buy her strawberry milk.

The dimly lit catacombs, as Sensei said, were likely beneath the cathedral, collapsed by the immense firepower that shattered the ground above.

In the original story, these catacombs connect to the Arius Branch School… We need to get to the surface before they come for us.

Frowning slightly, I strapped my unreliable weapons to my back.

On the surface, I could’ve grabbed Sensei and fled, but underground, surrounded by debris and uncertain paths, that wasn’t an option.

What now? Should I just start digging upward?

As I pondered how to get Sensei out safely, a rustling sound came from behind.

Rustle.

“Who’s there?” Sensei snapped, whipping her head toward the noise, her voice sharp with caution.

“Hmm,” I murmured, sliding my hand to my sword’s hilt, ready to act as I turned.

Step.

But, thankfully, the figure emerging from the shadows was an ally.

“Hina!” Sensei exclaimed.

“Sensei…?” Hina replied, her voice a mix of surprise and relief.

Gehenna’s Prefect Team leader, battered and limping, with blood trickling down her forehead, stumbled into our small space. “Thank goodness… you’re safe… ugh.”

“Hina, you’re hurt…!” Sensei cried.

“Are you okay?” I asked, reaching out, but Hina brushed my arm away gently.

“I’m fine… I can still fight,” she said softly.

“What about the others with you?” I asked.

“Ako was outside, leading the main force when it hit. She’s likely rallying the remaining Prefect Team now… We need to get to the surface and join them before more trouble comes,” Hina replied, scanning the area as if searching for a path.

“Fufu, same thought. But I’m not sure which way to go,” I said.

“I can tell the general direction. The airflow suggests an open space beyond that debris pile. The problem is clearing it…” Hina trailed off, noticing my movement. “What are you—”

Alright.

“Hyah!”

BOOM!

Without hesitation, I kicked the debris pile Hina pointed to with all my strength.

Crash!

The rubble collapsed like it had been hit by a cannon, revealing a wide hall beyond, just as Hina predicted.

“Fufu, looks like you were right. Thanks for the tip,” I said.

“…” Hina stared, speechless.

“…” So did Sensei.

Despite my enthusiasm at finding a path, both of them just gaped at me for a moment.

“Ahem… well done, Kaoru. Let’s move,” Sensei finally said, snapping out of it.

“Yes, Master. Hina, keep guiding us, fufu,” I said, smiling as I took the lead.

After the trio, led by the sword-wielding student, exited the catacomb’s hall, two other girls emerged from behind a wall in the opposite direction, having watched from a safe distance.

“They’re gone, Misaki-san? Looks like they didn’t notice us… hehe…” said Tsuchinaga Hiyori, her mint-green hair and timid demeanor unmistakable.

“Wait, Hiyori. I’m contacting the leader,” replied Imashino Misaki, her gloomy aura accentuated by the mask hanging at her chin.

The two were elite members of Arius Branch School’s “Squad,” trained to exceptional skill.

“They… took three missiles, didn’t they? That must’ve hurt so much… I’d probably die from the pain… It’s scary…” Hiyori shivered, her voice trembling.

Misaki, ignoring her, spoke into her communicator.

“Leader, it’s Misaki. Found the targets at H7. They’re moving through passage 16, likely heading to the surface.”

[Understood. Can you engage in a delaying action?] came the curt reply.

Misaki shook her head.

“Leader, even with the whole Squad, engaging is impossible. The injured Prefect leader alone would be tough, but the ‘variable’ is with them too.”

“Y-Yeah… that person just smashed through that huge debris pile like it was nothing! Such terrifying power… If someone like me got hit, I’d be crumpled to bits, probably not even leaving bone fragments, hehe…” Hiyori added, trembling.

The leader responded unfazed.

[No need to worry. Atsuko just completed the revised treaty’s signing. Head to the rendezvous at C2 and prepare to intercept.]

As the communication cut off, Hiyori, still nervous, turned to Misaki. “The princess… Atsuko-chan? Does that mean…?”

“Yes. The summoning of Mimesis is complete. They have no hope left,” Misaki said, staring after Sensei’s group.

“Against the Justina Saints, a mystery and terror incarnate, physical strength is utterly futile.”