Chapter 5
“Artifact #37#” Uno intoned “The Tiger Fan”
Yuuno blinked. He haven’t heard about that one.
“Would mind explaining it to me, Ms Uno? I admit this is the first time that I have ever heard of it.”
“Of course, Mr Scrya” Uno turned toward the red and gold fan “Originaly, this belonged to a warlord during the early stage of the Unification Wars. He was nicknamed “The Crimson Tiger” due to his ferocity during battle. It was said that this fan could transform into a battleaxe, capable of cutting through battleship in one move. Unfortunately, we haven’t been able to verify the legend.”
“Was he the rival to “The Dragon War God?” Yuuno asked.
“Yes”
“I’m honestly surprised. There isn’t a lot of informations on the warlords fought in the Unification War. Most of the records are related to Saint Kaiser.”
After Due accepted to help them, the three had decided to stay for a bit, to try and do some more work. Well, more like Yuuno trying to work while Due busy herself by annoying Chrono.
“Hmm… I think you need to change your looks Admiral. This whole dark and broody look is boring.”
“No.”
“How about you dye your hair white, put on a red coat and a big ass sword, then rebel against the system for some childhood trauma?”
“I don’t have any childhood trauma, and I don’t want to rebel”
“Change your hair to blond, add a red scarf and go Gun Akimbo, it’ll make you cooler!”
“TSAB’s regulation forbid the use of mass based weapon.”
“Become a magician with an obsession for loli nun?”
“I’m already a mage, and I don’t like loli thankyouverymuch.”
Due smirked a little. “Oh? So you’re interest in nun?”
“I refuse to answer that question.”
“So you DO have an interest in nun! Hmm, then a white haired sword wielding mercenary would suit you more, I think.”
“I’m not interest in mercenary work. Moreover, I’m more suited to wielding a spear.”
“What, like some knight in shining armor?”
Chrono facepalmed “Why does every one keep telling me that? First her, then you…”
“Who’s her?” Due was now grinning,
Recognizing his slip up, Chrono turns away, all while keeping his face stoic. “No one”
“Come on, Admiral! Tell me about this secret girlfriend of yours!” Due whined childishly.
“She’s not my girlfriend.” Chrono replied.
“So there IS someone. My my, and here I thought you were axesual.”
Chuckling at his friend expense, Yuuno turns toward Uno, only to see the woman smiling thinly at the sight.
“Was she always like this?”
“No.” the lavenderette replied “Well, yes. She was always a little too energetic, but her remarks were far more insulting back in the days.”
“I see. Are you happy to see her like this?”
“Certainly.” Uno paused “Mr Scrya… may I ask how did you save her?”
“Well…”
***** Flashback *****
Yuuno sighed to himself. The number of request these days had gone up dramatically, following the fact that Jail Scaglietti had started to move against TSAB.
The fact that he’s supposed to deliver these datas directly to Lieutenant General Regius Gaiz didn’t make his mood any better. The man was always inquiring him whenever possible about the three Aces, trying to get materials that could be use against them. Yuuno kept his mouth shut, partially because they were his friends, partially out of dislike for the man.
As he approaches the General’s office, he noticed that the door was sligthly ajar. Cautiously, he took a peak inside… And was surprised when he saw Regius conversing with what appeared to be a restrained criminal. Narrowing his eyes, Yuuno prepares to call the Security deparment when suddenly, Regius was stabbed by…
“That’s…!” Yuuno muttered, recognizing the woman immediately. That was the same woman that almost killed him a few years back, and had disappeared without a trace.
The 2 conversed for a few seconds, before the man in brown broke free of his bindings and lunged for the woman.
“What the..?” Yuuno exclaimed”Aren’t they on the same side?”
Noticing that the General is still barely alive, Yuuno decided to act.
“Struggle Bind!”
A green circle appeared beneath the man. From it, chains shot out and wrapped around him, stopping his movements. Rushing past by, Yuuno noticed then that the woman is still breathing, but barely. He would have ignored her, should have ignored her, but…
“Damn me and my conscience…” He cursed under his breath. “Round Guarder Extend! Double Circle!”
Two larger magic circle appeared, with Regius and the woman each at the center of them. For now, it should be able to prevent them from dying for a bit. Casting a diagnosis spell, Yuuno took note of their condition.
“Damn it.” Both of them are tethering on the line between life and death, and if he don’t do anything, they would both die soon. Concentrating, he pour his mana into his hand, and direct them toward the two bodies. He also send a emergency message to the TSAB Medical Ward. Hopefully they’ll get there before long.
As Yuuno concentrated on saving them both, he heard the sound of something breaking. Wihtout looking, he know that the man was trying to break free. Narrowing his eyes, Yuuno cast another Struggle Bind in the man direction. Deciding to play it safe, Yuuno cast another Struggle Bind overlapping with the other one, so that they both have to broken at the same time.
The sound of the door opening caught his attention, but he don’t dare turn back. Right now, he’s the only thing keeping those 2 from death hands, and until the healers can get here, their lives are his responsibility.
“Zest!… Yuuno?” Yuuno recognized the voice as that of Signum Yagami, one of the Wolkenritter.
“Lady Signum?” The now identified Zest spoke up. “You know this person?”
“Yes. He’s a friend of mine.” Signum replied “What are you doing here, Yuuno?”
“I was delivering data to Regius when I found him talking to Zest over there.” Yuuno replied, inclining his head toward the man in question.
“I see. And you, Knight Zest?”
“I am here to kill Regius. She got in my way, so I killed her as well.”
Just then, a group of healer rushed through the door.
“We got your message Professor. Where are the wounded?” The man in front, Dr Ernesto, asked as soon as he enter.
“Right here.” Yuuno replied. “I’ve been trying to stabilize them, so far it’s working.”
“You did your best. Leave it to us.”
Nodding, Yuuno dispell the two force fields to allow the healer access. Remembering that he still have deliveries to do, Yuuno decided to leave.
“I’m sorry, Signum, but there are some request I must deliver. Have a good day.”
“You too.”
***** End Flashback *****
“I later heard that Zest managed to break from his bond and stabbed the General in the heart. It was an instant skill. Signum later killed Zest during a duel between the two.”
“I see.”
They settled into silence after that, observing Due’s attempting to force information out of the black clad man, while Jail Scaglietti looks on in amusement.
“If I may ask…” After a while, Uno spoke up “What do you mean by “Damn me and my consciences?””
“I just… don’t know. At that time, all I thought was that I have to save both of them.” Yuuno sighed “I know she worked for Jail with her bodysuit. I know that she tried to kill me. I just didn’t know why. Perhaps… perhaps because I hate wasting life.”
“?” Uno blinked once. Twice. She’s surprised at his reasonings.
“If I can save her, why shouldn’t I do so? Even if she is a criminal, even if she is a bad person, that doesn’t excuse you of not trying to save someone when they need help.”
“Then what if they try to attack you? What if they try to attack those close to you?” Uno rebuffed.
“I … I will defend my friends.” Yuuno hesitated for a moment, before carrying on. “I will defend them, and keep them from harm with all I can. And if it comes down to it, I will take them down.”
“So as long as they don’t attack your friends, you will still save them?” Uno pressed on.
Yuuno remained silence. Truth is, he will probably do that in the future.
“You have a strange way of thiking, Mr Scrya” Uno commented. “Different then the Ace of Aces, it seems.”
“I’ll escort Due back to the ship.” Chrono called out “Finish up here, would you?”
“See ya, Pop, Uno. Take care!” Due waved goodbye to her father and sister before skipping out.
“Seems he can’t stand her teasing anymore” Yuuno mused “It’s there anything about the bunker that we need to know about?”
“There is a riddle-protected system installed around the lower basement level. Due never came down there, so she might not know about it.”
“I see.” Yuuno nodded “Thank you for your assistance.”
“It was nothing”
“Good day to you, Ms Uno, Doctor.”
“You too, Librarian.” Jail said as he exit the room, a guard already waiting outside..
Uno, however seems to be hesitating. Something seems to be bothering her.
“Ms Uno, what’s wrong?”
Then suddenly, she hugged him. Yuuno, too shocked by the action, could only stand still as the Number whisper into his ears.
“Thank you… Yuuno. For saving my sister.”
She quickly let go afterward and left throught the same door her father had used, leaving a rapidly blinking librarian.