The fact that the Black Suit introduced Ambrosius as a failure was nothing more than the result of the Maestro’s imperfect mimesis using the ancient tenets researched in the underground of the High Cathedral.
Though it couldn’t be said to have reached the sublime, it was the ancient tenet where the concepts of Shinpi and horror, which cannot coexist like the two sides of a coin, were combined. And the artificial angel series created through that mimesis.
The first work, Ambrosius, could even be considered an insult to compare it to a completed product. However, one should not underestimate it simply because it was labeled a failure.
Especially since the teacher’s group only had two proper combatants, they realized the lack of firepower firsthand.
Right now, Hanako was closer to an ordinary student than a proper combatant, and with Aco and Nagisa only toting around handguns, meaningful firepower could not be expected from them.
If it weren’t for the fact that the two combatants, Miyako and Wakamo, were among SRT’s top talents, the fight would have gone in an even more one-sided direction.
“Too slow… way too slow…!”
Among them, Kosaka Wakamo, a girl recognized by all as the strongest in SRT. If it weren’t for the absolute firepower issue, she might have been able to take down Ambrosius on her own, creating a situation where the teacher’s group was actually pushing Ambrosius back.
“If you want to catch Wakamo, you’d better bring something at least twice as fast… something as hot as lava!”
Thud!!!
There was no need for the teacher to give instructions. Wakamo was already a fully formed strategist and schemer on her own, and among all of Kivotos, she was one of the top ten strong players.
Every time Ambrosius swung its long, spiked fingers, ominous light danced around, but it was still far too slow to catch Wakamo.
The teacher also recognized that Miyako, with her excellent ability to read the situation and control the troops, was helping Wakamo at the right timing without needing his command.
“C grenade… throw!”
As Miyako’s command became familiar, Wakamo quickly repositioned. She stood between Ambrosius and Miyako.
Boom!
Wakamo had already grown accustomed to Miyako’s strange behavior, who had called it a grenade and then activated a claymore. At that moment, she aimed for Ambrosius’ head while turning her gaze toward Miyako and pulled the trigger multiple times.
Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang!!!
Soon, a crimson Shinpi rained down around Wakamo like petals in the wind.
Taang——!!
A powerful shot erupted on the back of Ambrosius’ head.
Ambrosius staggered momentarily, and flames began to gather in its claw. Anticipating it would target her, Wakamo tensed up, and Ambrosius launched a bizarrely colored fireball.
It ended up aimed at the spot where the teacher and the two students, who were unfit for battle, were taking cover.
“Teacher, crouch down!”
At Miyako’s quick shout, the teacher was already half-crouched. Aco and Nagisa did the same.
After warning them once, Miyako immediately pulled the trigger. Having emptied an entire magazine of her submachine gun in an instant, she unhesitatingly activated a claymore again, reloading without taking cover.
Independently of warning the teacher, they absolutely lacked firepower and had no time to rest.
As the central aisle of the High Cathedral continued to get damaged by Ambrosius’ flames…
Rumble rumble——
A faint vibration accompanied a small explosion from outside the cathedral.
“It’s a bit noisy, but it seems reinforcements have arrived.”
“…Oh dear. Did we forget to close the door…?”
Hanako, while replacing her magazine behind a nearby pillar, awkwardly asked, her tone rhetorical.
“More importantly, which side are they coming from? It can’t be Hina, can it?”
“Honestly, it wouldn’t be strange no matter which side it is…”
Hanako’s疑問 was soon解けた.
Bang!!!
As soon as they entered, they shot Ambrosius’ head, and it was none other than Kurodate Haruna.
“…Ugh. That earlier explosion was the sound of that troublemaker bursting through the barricade.”
Aco mumbled, recalling the incidents Haruna had often caused, but was genuinely relieved they had come to support. Haruna’s arrival also meant Noah was here. Just the addition of two more combatants would significantly boost their firepower.
“Fufu. Sorry for being late, everyone. But late or not, I will be even more elegant—”
“Haruna-chan, this isn’t the time to talk! Just shoot again!”
“…That’s too much, Mr. Noah.”
Feeling the seriousness of the situation, Noah’s reprimand made Haruna pout as she pulled the trigger again. Deep down, she was worried that Mika might be in a dangerous situation and was just trying to hide her anxiety.
The fact that she immediately pulled out a bomb upon seeing the barricade was proof of that impatience.
Roar roar roar——
“Haruna, Noah! If he raises his hand, take cover behind that pillar!”
“Understood, Teacher! Alright, monster. Let’s see how you like the Scoville level ten million spiciness!”
Bang——!!!
A single powerful shot from Haruna significantly damaged Ambrosius, even making Wakamo momentarily admire the bullet’s power. Noah also extended the stock of his gun and began to spread out and shoot, gradually accumulating damage with his rapid-fire pistol.
With just two more people, the battle situation was clearly turning positive. If it continued like this, they would have no problem suppressing Ambrosius, Nagisa thought, as she occasionally fired her handgun.
However, everyone soon realized that thought had come too early.
Something resembling a halo, albeit different from the original, rose behind Ambrosius, glowing with a pristine white light. It was a light reminiscent of warm starlight.
“…What has that Black Suit done to someone else’s lover?”
That remark might have been a bit unfair to the Black Suit, since Ambrosius was entirely a product of the Maestro.
“Um…”
There was no room for doubt, and everyone stiffened at the sight of Misono Mika’s Shinpi manifesting from Ambrosius. Countless wild imaginations bloomed in their minds, then vanished.
Finally, as Ambrosius swung its arm broadly, fireballs poured down at an entirely different speed than before.
The starlight danced around in bizarre flames. After the initial explosion, it spread its traces everywhere. And once it had spread, the traces did not extinguish but continued to occupy that place.
“…This is a bit troublesome.”
Seeing the flames constantly burning while gradually blocking the students’ movement routes, the teacher hesitated for a moment with his hands in his pocket.
His Ace card. A mysterious and incomprehensible item that could grant him miraculous power at the cost of his own life and time.
He had somewhat prepared himself for using it. Ever since he had begun expressing that facing Ambrosius was just a warm-up before the Trials, he had a hunch that today would be the first time he would use this card.
However, using it here was a situation beyond his assumptions…
“Teacher.”
It was none other than Kirihouji Nagisa who broke his train of thought.
Having no combat power distinct from other ordinary students—if anything, even less—she felt helpless as she could only watch. Yet now, she gazed intently at the teacher.
“…Nagisa?”
“Please trust everyone here, Teacher. This is our trial… to save the princess, just like he said. Using that power of yours must be reserved for the worst of the worst. It shouldn’t be used until then.”
“…Do you know something?”
“The last student council president of T-party. She is so frail that she hasn’t even met your face yet. Her name is Yuizono Seiya, and she possesses the power of foresight. She said to warn you: if you misuse the power that is only yours, the outcome you arrive at is not only your tragedy but a tragedy for everyone, so please be careful.”
“…”
“I beg you to judge with a cool head, free from emotion. For your own sake, and for your duty as a teacher… for all the students.”
The teacher nodded, contemplating Nagisa’s earnest gaze, and lowered his hand. There was no other way.
Perhaps Nagisa, more than anyone here, hoped that he would use the Ace card, so he couldn’t casually dismiss her words.
“It might sound ridiculous for me to say something as useless as this. I know. But…”
“I understand, Nagisa. I won’t disregard your words, as you are willing to jump into the flames for someone you love.”
“…Thank you for accepting me so kindly, Teacher.”
Roar roar roar——
The flames continued, unceasingly engulfing the floor of the central aisle.
[Please be safe, sister.]
And then, the second reinforcements began to descend.
