Interlude 2
"This thing...!!"
"Feather Hunter" – Rouji became acutely aware of his own heartbeat rapidly increasing. The chilling sensation running down his spine was an alarm sounded by his instincts. Gripping the gun handle so tightly it felt like it might break, as he starts running.
"I won’t let you escape."
Deep within the maze of alleys, the "White Sorcerer" leapt from wall to wall, closing in. Her movements were clearly different from their previous skirmish. It was as if a stray cat had become a wild mountain cat. Her movements were lithe, yet overwhelmingly sharp.
The reason for her change became clear to Rouji within mere seconds of the fight starting.
(Weapon… Her sword is different from before. Is that enough to change her movements so drastically?...)
It was expected that a change in weapons would alter her offensive capabilities, but the improvement in her agility was perplexing. However, Rouji felt that the weapon was not empowering the "White Sorcerer," but rather it had optimized her already considerable abilities.
(It seems the weapon she used before was just a restraint. Either way, this is troublesome. She has the advantage of the terrain as well.)
Even warning shots did not get through, as automatic counterattacks from flying debris nullified them. Trying to increase the distance, the "White Sorcerer" froze the wall and slid down it, closing the gap in an instant. With any surface, whether it was a wall or ceiling, she could glide across it like an ice rink.
(Truly, "Marked Ones" are utterly unreasonable. Try to put yourself in my shoes as someone who fights without abilities.)
Rouji stopped. Ahead of him was a high wall—he was trapped in a dead-end. While he could potentially climb it with effort, there was no way he could do so with his back turned to the "White Sorcerer."
"──You’re cornered. Hand over the 'Fallen Feather.'"
"Do you really think I’ll hand it over? Try to take it by force."
"I was offering you a chance. I don’t want you to hate me later."
If he had been lured here, he might have considered negotiating, but now that he was trapped, there was no room for compromise. Rouji confirmed that the "Fallen Feather" was safely in his possession, but he had never intended to hand it over.
"Don’t worry. You’ll be the one regretting this."
With his black cloak billowing, Rouji drew the submachine gun he had concealed. There was no precision in the aim of each individual shot. Dozens of rounds fired in a spray, overwhelming the weapon that the "White Sorcerer" wielded.
The flying debris could only block so much. There was no way it could intercept the full storm of bullets. Rouji’s deduction was correct—but the "White Sorcerer" lowered her stance to the ground and shot forward like a blur. She reduced her target area and moved at such high speed that she could avoid most of the bullets, only intercepting those that had a high chance of hitting her.
(Mountain cat? No, more like a leopard—or a shape-shifting cat…)
Her sword flashed. Originally, Rouji and the "White Sorcerer" were not evenly matched, with the "White Sorcerer" being the superior fighter. Rouji had always relied on his tricks and tactics to level the playing field, but this time, it was different.
He was unable to keep up with the "White Sorcerer" now wielding her new sword. She had completely surpassed him.
"I’ve got you."
The moment the "White Sorcerer" whispered those words, the wall Rouji had been facing exploded.
A loud metallic clang rang out across the area, like iron striking iron.
"Are you alright, 'Feather Hunter'!!"
"'Heaven’s Armor'... Quite the dramatic entrance."
"If you can still talk back, you must be fine! I’m relieved!!"
The wall was shattered as a large, red-haired man appeared. He was clad in black like Rouji, but his face exuded far more vitality. His alias was "Heaven’s Armor," a member of the Shishima Organization.
"This guy...! A 'Blessed'...!"
Gritting her teeth, the "White Sorcerer" retreated. The blade she had swung at "Feather Hunter" was stopped just in time. Not by "Feather Hunter," but by "Heaven’s Armor's" arm. The "White Sorcerer" suspected it was some kind of gauntlet or armor, but "Heaven’s Armor" had rolled up his sleeves, exposing his bare skin.
That alone seemed to confirm that he was indeed one of the "Blessed."
"Nice to meet you, 'White Sorcerer'! I'm 'Heaven’s Armor'! That’s not my real name, by the way!!"
"What’s with this guy…?"
"Hey. What are you messing around for?"
"I’ve been out of commission for a while after having my appendix removed!! But now that I’m back, I’m not gonna let you do whatever you want anymore!! Right, 'Feather Hunter'!?"
"…………'White Sorcerer' already ran away."
"What!? Really!?"
Unexpected reinforcements, and an ability user not accounted for in the data. The "White Sorcerer" had quickly communicated with her operator and retreated. Her swift judgment was a clear indication of good coordination between her and her handler.
Heaven’s Armor’s rather unconventional entrance had apparently intimidated the opponent. And in the end, it had saved "Feather Hunter" from his long-awaited crisis.
"How disappointing! I thought I’d finally get to fight that 'White Sorcerer'! Well, I guess I can just take 'Fallen Feather' without any effort! Hahahahahaha!"
"…You’re late. What took you so long, Kenkou?"
"Heaven’s Armor"—or rather, "Shishikura Kenkou." He was a fellow member of Rouji’s team. Kenkou was slightly older, but they had trained together since childhood. They were close friends… though that was more Kenkou’s perspective than Rouji’s.
Originally, this mission was supposed to be carried out by both Rouji and Kenkou. However, when Kenkou never showed up, Rouji had to proceed alone, leading him into a dangerous situation.
"There was this ramen shop that looked really good! So I went and ate there!!"
"...Are you an idiot? That’s insubordination."
"But the timing was perfect! It all worked out in the end!!"
“Sigh…”
Kenkou was the type to follow his own path, loyal to his instincts. He was straightforward and easy to get along with, but his tendency to prioritize his own desires over orders made him a problem child who had repeatedly broken the rules.
"Alright! If you're saying that much, let's go eat ramen together again!"
"I didn’t say anything. And we're not going. Now stop wasting time and get back to the report. That’s part of the mission."
Kenkou, a "Blessed" with the "Mark of the Curse" and one of the few in the Shishima Organization to have such a blessing, was on par with Rouji in terms of combat ability. However, the reason he wasn't highly valued by the organization was due to his overwhelming difficult nature.
No matter how much his superiors scolded him, he never showed any sign of remorse.
"You're wrong, Rouji! Missions and orders come second! We're human, not dogs that just obey a 'sit' command! We are everything to ourselves!"
"A dog is still better than you. At least it listens to orders."
"Sorry, but I'm a cat person! Cats are free!"
"…I can't deal with this. Then I’ll head back alone. Do whatever you want if you want to defy orders."
"Don’t be so cold, Rouji! I'll treat you!"
Ignoring the ruckus Kenkou was making, Rouji started walking. If Kenkou had ever taken things seriously, it would have been him, the "Blessed," who would have earned the title "Feather Hunter," not Rouji, who was powerless. That fact was everything. However, as Rouji walked, he couldn't help but repeat Kenkou’s words in his mind.
(Dog, huh.)
The word "wolf" was carved into his name. But that wasn't the reason he followed orders.
For Rouji, it was simply that the orders given to him were everything. Prepare, obey, carry out, and prepare again.
(It doesn’t matter. Whether I’m a dog or whatever.)
If at the end of that endless cycle stood the "Holy Maiden of Wet Feathers," then there was no problem at all.
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