2-21: The Three Who Met 3 (2/2)

2-21: The Three Who Met 3 (2/2)

Crimson tried to struggle out of the chair, but the broken exoskeleton was no different from a strait jacket or a heavy stone.

With the armor being what was practically a heavy rock, Crimson couldnt even lift a hand much less get away.

Calm down! Listen to me!

The old man was the first to recover himself after Crimson started panicking.

He shook Crimsons shoulders and called out.

There are no monsters here! Dont be fooled by an illusion! Listen only to my voice and calm down!

Uwaa, no Aa aa.

Perhaps his voice was able to reach Crimson, as the struggling Crimson stopped moving.

Crimsons eyes couldnt be seen because of the helmet, but they appeared to move so that they could get a good look at the person in front.

A, haa, haa, haa, haa Your, excellency I

Crimson still spoke in stutters, but it was evident that Crimson was now awake.

Its fine, dont worry about it. Can you tell me what happened? The old man asked.

Your Excellency!? Didnt you see what happened just now! We need to treat A concerned Nameless member said.

Its fine Im sorry for putting on such a shameful display. Please allow me to make my report, Your Excellency Crimson said.

Crimson firmly refused the suggestion of his worried comrades, then started talking about what happened.

A mysterious enemy covered in black mist. The ability to weaponize everything touched. An unknown attack. And Crimsons failure to land a hit despite removing all of the outer armor.

And then, I dont know what he did to me, but I ended up in that state. It was as if a powerful fear was forcefully planted into mm Ugh. N-Now that I think about it Not one of my attacks really did manage to reach him.

Although they both appeared to be equally stumped by each others equipment, it felt as if that black mist had just been toying with Crimson.

Other than the old man whod already foreseen this, everyones faces paled as they listened.

But that was only a given, after all, the top member of their combat division came back utterly crushed.

What do you think, Doctor? Any ideas?

The old man quietly listened to Crimson, then he suddenly called out to an empty space.

At that, a black screen appeared before him and a voice resounded.

Of course, not. That exoskeleton may be experimental, but its still custom made.

The voice seemed to belong to a young man, but there was no way to confirm for sure since he refused to show his face.

But then again, that was true for the both of them. Nameless hasnt shown any of their faces to him either.

Voice-only communication like what they were doing now was the only thing theyve permitted Doctor.

Still, considering that Doctor was a technical expert from outside, the treatment he was getting was still exceptional. It was also a part of his compensation for his work this time.

According to my calculations, it should at least be able to fight against a company alone. Are you sure that black mist isnt actually a monster among monsters?

With this he couldnt laugh at Ryubin anymore, the old man smiled.

The atmosphere within the room has finally gotten peaceful again, but the Spear couldnt reply.

Was that really true?

Could they really have won against that if their equipment was in perfect condition?

The general himself noticed that, but he didnt mention it since he didnt want to destroy the atmosphere.

Please be still for a moment. Ill remove your helmet now.

Ahh, thanks.

As the mechanics started removing the helmet to analyze it, the Spear called out to the general.

Your Excellency, can I just say one thing?

What is it?

This is just an impression, just something I vaguely felt, but when I was fighting that black mist, although everything was different, I felt like it was the same thing. There was nothing at all about it that was familiar, but I feel like Ive felt it somewhere before I feel like Ive felt the same thing from you, Your Excellency.

That unexpected report caught the general unguarded for a moment, but he quickly calmed down and muttered, I see.

Upon saying it out loud, Crimson finally realized what it was that was so exasperating.

Crimson had unconsciously been treating them as the same. Because of that Crimson couldnt forgive being denied by him.

Thank you for your report. Rest up well today. Either way, youll have to go back to Kutoria tomorrow.

Yes. My permission to go outside only extends until tomorrow afternoon

Were taking it off now, one of the mechanics said.

The mechanics disassembled the headgear in the background while the two spoke with each other.

When they were finally able to remove the headgear, the face of the one known as Spear and whom Shinichi referred to as Crimson was finally revealed.

If there were anyone here other than Nameless, that person would surely be shocked at the figures appearance.

Theres no one here who can infiltrate the place other than you. Im sorry, but Im counting on you, Myuhi Ruona, my Spear.

Leave it to me, Your Excellency.

Though exhausted, her fox ears still nodded and her pink hair swayed.

As this adorable girl nodded with a face that no one from the academy knew, she finally reached her limits and lost consciousness.

As the old generals hands lovingly patted her on the head, for some reason, she remembered the eyes of the mysterious enemy that she saw in that one moment.

Why do those eyes look so much like a lost childs?

Even though hes so strong. Why?

She found it curious, but as she pondered on it, slumber finally took her, and she fell into that peaceful darkness born from exhausting ones body and mind.