Chapter 34: The Veil of the Saints

The journey through the catacombs was, so far, smooth for Sensei’s group.

“Hmm… a fork in the path. Which way from here?” Kaoru asked.

“…Left. There are traces of dirt from outside, suggesting foot traffic,” Hina replied curtly.

“Fufu, got it. Thanks,” Kaoru said, flashing her usual enchanting smile before continuing forward.

Itokonoue Kaoru, a mysterious student who appeared out of nowhere in Trinity’s autonomous district, Hina thought, eyeing the enigmatic girl’s back.

She recalled Ako’s report: Claims to be from another world with amnesia, an unverified story.

Past, origin, and motives unknown, but presumed to possess combat strength rivaling the top forces of any school.

Trusted deeply by Schale’s advisor, requiring constant monitoring.

Hina’s gaze shifted to the long sword strapped neatly to Kaoru’s back, its presence commanding attention.

The report said no one’s ever seen her draw that sword.

Her amnesia might actually be true.

Though Hina remained skeptical, she considered the possibility as she followed.

“Be careful, Kaoru. There could be traps,” Sensei warned.

“Fufu, I will, Master,” Kaoru replied.

That unreadable smile makes it easy to hide her true intentions, Hina thought, her wariness lingering despite Kaoru’s ever-present charm.

“Hina,” Sensei said softly, turning to her.

“What is it, Sensei?” Hina asked.

“Are you really okay? The bleeding’s stopped, but moving around with those injuries can’t be good…” Sensei’s voice was laced with genuine concern.

“No need to worry. As Prefect Team leader, I’m confident in my resilience,” Hina replied.

“…Don’t push yourself. Let Kaoru handle clearing the path,” Sensei urged.

“…Alright,” Hina agreed reluctantly.

If Sensei trusts her this much, maybe I don’t need to be so guarded, Hina mused, reassured by Sensei’s faith in Kaoru, even if that wasn’t her intent.

“Oh my, a dead end… but is this still the right direction?” Kaoru asked, facing a makeshift barrier, her gentle smile turning to Hina.

“…Yes,” Hina confirmed.

“Fufu,” Kaoru chuckled, and with a swift, powerful kick—

BOOM!

The wall crumbled like it was nothing, revealing the space beyond.

What kind of strength… Hina, seasoned as she was, still couldn’t get used to Kaoru’s casual path-clearing feats.

“Haha… good to see you’re as energetic as ever, Kaoru,” Sensei said, her laugh tinged with resignation, as if this was a familiar sight.

Tap.

“Hmm?” Kaoru stopped abruptly, her footfall making an odd sound.

“Kaoru? What’s—” Sensei began, but Hina, quicker to react, yanked Sensei behind her, raising her submachine gun.

Click.

“Enemies, Sensei,” Hina said lowly.

“Huh…?” Sensei replied, confused, scanning the area.

Swish…

Dozens of figures materialized from the shadows, encircling them.

Their lifeless, eerie blue skin, faces hidden behind menacing gas masks, and nun-like outfits that somehow exuded a ghostly aura marked them as the Justina Saints—a terrifying presence.

“What… are these…?” Sensei stammered, stunned.

Step, step.

From behind the Saints, more figures emerged.

“Uh… looks like we’ve been spotted, hehe… but the plan worked, right?” Hiyori said nervously.

“Yes, it’s already too late,” Misaki confirmed.

“Once you stepped into this place, your escape routes were gone,” a third voice added.

The Arius Squad—four members, including a silent girl in a full-face gas mask—stood assembled.

This number and positioning… they were waiting for us here?

Then our only option is… Hina, ever the composed leader, quickly assessed the situation and whispered to Kaoru, “Prepare for a breakthrough.”

“Fufu, got it,” Kaoru replied.

“Wait, girls,” Sensei interjected, stepping forward with a stern expression despite Hina’s protest.

“You’re the Arius Squad.”

“Oh, Azusa must’ve told you. Yes, Sensei. I’m Jomae Saori, leader of the Arius Squad. Azusa was in our care,” the capped girl replied through her mask.

Sensei bit her lip silently.

“We just signed the Eden Treaty on behalf of Trinity and Gehenna. In other words, the Arius Squad is the Eden Treaty Organization now,” Saori continued casually, as if the outcome was decided.

“You… you planned this from the start to hijack the treaty’s authority…” Hina growled, realizing the true purpose of the attack.

“Exactly. And these Justina Saints are the guardians of discipline we summoned—or rather, inverted terrors inheriting their majesty. Not that it matters to you, since you’ll soon be gone,” Saori said dismissively.

Kaoru, with a slightly menacing smile, spoke up. “Oh my, will we, now?”

Her confident tone reassured even Hina, but Saori scoffed, unfazed.

“Hmph, I know. Azusa warned us about you—the variable. Your strength could break through most encirclements. But that’s only your raw power. As the Madam said, you don’t even know how to use that weapon.”

“…” Kaoru stood silent.

Really…?

Hina’s eyes widened slightly at Saori’s taunt, but Saori turned back to Sensei.

“The Madam said you’re the biggest threat to our plans, Sensei. So we’ll eliminate you first, using the power of these guardians of paradise, crafted solely from mystery and terror, just for this ‘variable.’”

As if on cue, the Justina Saints raised their weapons toward Sensei in unison, devoid of emotion or hesitation.

And at that moment—

Whoosh!

With a sonic boom, Kaoru launched herself at the Saints’ front line.

“Ugh…!” Hina, caught off guard by Kaoru’s speed, aimed her gun to provide support.

She took the initiative! If she disrupts their formation, we can protect Sensei and break through… wait, what?!

But Hina froze in shock at what followed.

Kaoru’s strike, powerful enough to shatter walls, hit the lead Saint—only for its body to shimmer like an intangible illusion, unaffected.

The Saints’ eerie blue hands still aimed their weapons precisely at Sensei.

“Master—!” Kaoru shouted, her voice tinged with panic for the first time.

“Damn it!” Hina cursed, throwing herself in front of Sensei.

Rat-a-tat-tat!

“It’s best to accept it,” Saori declared softly, watching the gunfire rain toward Sensei.

“Pointless resistance is just that—pointless.”