Witch and Dictator.
Those who slandered her within Trinity said it best.
“Worse than a devil.”
The vast majority in Gehenna agreed with that label.
Although she is an enemy, that pigeon is worthy of respect from Makoto-sama.
Some fool said that, and people read it as that she is so hopeless that even Makoto’s chairperson would acknowledge it.
A bothersome woman.
The judgments of the guardian of Gehenna were sharp.
Misono Mika. An ambitious character who silently eliminated one student council president and brought down another to have Trinity at her feet.
And after successfully overthrowing Trinity, she directly led the troops to the front lines with a declaration of war against Gehenna as she entered a wartime regime.
Gehenna welcomed the Manma Battle. The forces from Gehenna have always pushed into Trinity during the Manma Battle.
The student council focused entirely on defense against the invasion. They were overwhelmed merely responding to the bombardment squad of T-party by mobilizing the intelligence department.
As a result, the front line was bound to become stagnant.
The troops pushing in from Manma Battle mostly failed to surpass the walls of the Justice Realization Department head, and the troops pushing in from Trinity couldn’t break through the solid defense of the student council president.
Though Gehenna’s side was somewhat more aggressive, the most crucial attitude of the student council was to focus on passive defense.
The Sisterhood and the Rescue Knights of Trinity declared that they would only handle the defense of the autonomous district and rear support, causing the front line to remain mostly static without a significant push or pull.
Only Misono Mika took the Pater and Arius under her wing and gnawed at the student council. Sorasaki Hina repeatedly blocked her path, preventing the expansion of the front line.
Nearby minor academies had to declare they would not interfere in this war. Kaiser attempted to scheme while profiting from selling weapons to the two academies, but the student council took a strong stance against the expansion of the war.
While this meaningless war of attrition continued, Arius detached from the front line. However, Misono Mika did not retreat and instead filled the void of their absence alone. Her overworked condition was spiraling into an even worse state.
Suddenly, Kirihouji Nagisa went missing.
Misono Mika denied that fact. She dismissed the rumors circulating as nonsense, as she was receiving no less than adequate treatment from the former student council president of T-party.
However, one cannot cover the sky with a hand, and everyone in Trinity whispered that they had completely lost their minds concerning the woman leading them.
Everyone urged the Sisterhood, Sanctus, Johann, and Filius to take action. With all power in Trinity concentrated on the host, their hands and feet were bound administratively. The remaining option was, like Misono Mika’s, to plot an overthrow.
But for that, a ceasefire was needed. Ironically, the most necessary talent in the ongoing war was Misono Mika herself, who brought it upon them.
[Ceasefire? What a ridiculous thought! If that crazy T-party host hadn’t declared war, I would have! Gehenna will absolutely never halt our advance until the flag of Makoto-sama rises over the heart of Trinity, resonating my greatness throughout Kivotos, and the foolish sing my name! Kiki-Kiki-Kiki—!!!]
Regrettably, the situation did not favor either side. Those hoping for mediation turned their eyes outward, but the student council refused to intervene.
Millennium turned a blind eye to the two large academies devouring each other. Tsukatsuki Rion had too many other concerns to focus on.
Sanhaegyeong could not afford to turn its gaze outside the autonomous district due to internal disputes. Hakgwiyaeng, compounded by its own issues, decided to watch the situation a bit longer as per Amachi Nya’s wishes.
The only sliver of hope they had was the presence of the teacher, but…
Immediately after the teacher rejected Abydos’s assistance, Arius Squad approached the teacher and Mika for help, and everything began to crumble.
If Misono Mika had been in perfect condition, the story would have been different.
If Beatrice had not reached a vile sublimity by sacrificing Hikari Atsuko and Kirihouji Nagisa, the story would have surely been different.
However, the only remnants left at the end of the tale they penned were wounds and hatred. And,
A harsh, imperfect miracle for those who did not give up until the very end came.
*
“…”
I cast a cautious glance to my left. There lay Atsuko, resting my arm on her. Beside her, holding my hand tightly, was Hanako, fast asleep.
My right arm was occupied by Wakamo. Even in her slumber, her tail occasionally flicked and gently tapped the hospital bed.
This hospital bed is quite large, but how could it fit so many people…?
“…Ahaha.”
As soon as I caught sight of Nagisa, who was sound asleep with her head buried down next to the bed, I couldn’t help but laugh. Clutching my hand as if I were some precious treasure, how adorable she looked.
Beyond her, I saw Noa and Haruna leaning against each other on the chair, and Hina, who seemed to have sunk her head deep down while crossing arms with them.
Shouldn’t waking up like that be pretty rough for her?
…Hmm.
So, why exactly am I lying here? And why am I surrounded by so many people?
I remember receiving some kind of artificial relic from the Black Suit. And, I had probably spied on memories suspected to belong to the real Mika. Now that I’m awake in a hospital like this…
Ah, I must have lost consciousness back there. Naturally, Nagisa’s eyes must have gone wild since there was no contact from me.
Miraculously, they went all the way to the High Cathedral of the Union to fetch me—
“Wow—o…?”
I looked over our kids again. Everywhere I turned, I saw they had band-aids and dressings on them, only now noticing it.
Among them, our dear secretary looked to have the most visible scars. At this rate, I’d have to force a break for her for a few days.
What battle had they waged against? In the cathedral was the Communion Sanctorum derived from the ancient doctrines studied at Gematria. That is, it must be Ambrosius or Jeronimus.
So… to loosely summarize the situation.
After I went off to take care of personal matters, the person who should have returned lost consciousness, resulting in no contact. Because of that, our kids who came to the cathedral I had blocked off ended up fighting a sudden war… Is that right?
Given that the teacher was also at Trinity and Aco had been there too, calling Hina should have been quick if they made up their minds.
From Nagisa’s perspective, this feels like… at least three rolls of cake worth of trouble.
…Should I just kneel and wait?
“Yeah, that sounds good.”
“What sounds good?”
“Kneeling in advance before getting scolded… huh?”
“Ah, I see. It’s a good thought, but I don’t think it’ll lessen the scolding. So it’s better to just wait here properly, sis. I’ll stay right by your side.”
The one saying this seriously, despite being taller than me, was our Atsuko, lying beside me with my arm as a pillow, looking up with eyes shining with joy and relief.
“…Ahaha.”
“Good morning, sis.”
“Atsuko-chan, is it a good morning…?”
Seeing the couple of band-aids on Atsuko’s pretty face pained my heart. It’s just that, not just Atsuko, but also Nagisa and Hina, everyone but them had wounds all over their bodies…
Honestly, I was partly at fault. I mean, it’s true, but fundamentally, the biggest problem was the Black Suit throwing a total war at the teacher just because it seemed like time.
That Black Suit bastard, I feel like just one punch would barely be enough.
“As long as you’re safe, it’s okay. I was really worried. Me, Saori, Azusa, and Hiyori… and, even if she pretended, Misaki too…”
“I don’t see the other kids…”
“Misaki was taken by the Rescue Knights. I managed to cling to you before being dragged away. As for Saori, I heard you had the teacher accompany her. So after that, they probably healed up the teacher at her lodging… right?”
“…Pfft. I think I know why your certainty is lacking there. Yeah, Saori-chan can feel a bit airheaded sometimes.”
“Yup. That’s why I think she’s nice.”
Atsuko’s laughter was contagious. Before I knew it, a small smile had formed on my lips as well.
“By the way, sis. You can’t move right now, huh?”
“…Huh?”
“That means I can do whatever I want with you right now.”
“Um, Atsuko-chan? This isn’t so much about being unable to move, but… uh, that is…”
No, they are both taking up my arms. Even if every hand was being held, that doesn’t mean it’s being unable to move. I just wasn’t confident enough to bear the consequences if I forced it.
“That’s the same as saying you can’t.”
“Not at all! Um, Atsuko-chan! Stop! This is too early for us…!”
“I’m not a middle schooler anymore, sis. I think we should keep our promises.”
“W-well, that’s true, but I’m just not prepared for this yet!”
“It’s fine, sis. Everyone will understand. The squad is family. Since the moment we saved Saori-chan, you’ve been with us all along. From now on, just take your time to get used to it.”
No, again, this is a situation where I had to move despite the consequence!
“Thank you for being safe, sis.”
“…”
Really, how insidiously, if you say that here…
“Looks like you’re having fun right from the morning.”
“…Tch.”
“Wow—o.”
“What is that reaction…?”
The moment I locked eyes with Nagisa, who stared at me with a complicated look, I couldn’t decide if I should be happy about it… or if I should run away immediately.
