Campione: Strongest# 485: The Battle Begins!

Turning back, Haru asked flatly, "Where are Kohaku and Hisui?"

"They should be at the Kuonji mansion by now." Akiha thought for a moment, then answered with mixed feelings.

Seeing Haru's strange expression, Fujino added softly, "We were supposed to have dinner with Alice tonight, but..."

Fujino's expression grew complicated. Tonight's stimulation had been overwhelming for her.

Whether killing for the first time, having her first night taken by Haru, or the Dead Apostle transformation of all Tokyo—tonight seemed particularly eventful.

The planned dinner was canceled, and even her trial mission was probably scrapped. Though Fujino doubted those delinquents attacking Reien students could survive the city-wide Dead Apostle transformation.

Honestly, what stimulated her most was probably what happened on the mountain road.

Even Fujino couldn't believe she'd dared to do that in the car... Was it the accumulated negative emotions from her first kill? She still felt somewhat...

Thinking this, Fujino secretly raised her head, stealing a glance at Haru's back before quickly lowering it again.

While Fujino's face burned red in her heated state, Akiha addressed Haru seriously, her voice full of displeasure. "Aren't you going to stop Shiki Ryougi and SHIKI, Father?"

The two who'd been following them had already vanished. With a little thought, Akiha could guess they planned to intervene in Tokyo's great battle.

Though Akiha had vaguely heard them mention settling scores with someone, their leaving without notice still irritated her.

Hearing Akiha's complaint, Haru shook his head helplessly. "Let them go. I'll have Caren and Alicia watch over them. As long as they don't die."

Haru understood perfectly—the somewhat obsessive Shiki was probably hunting that Dead Apostle (Ryuunosuke Uryuu) from before.

After all, they hadn't seen him at Ogawa Apartments earlier. Even knowing SHIKI survived, Shiki probably wouldn't spare that fellow killer.

SHIKI likely felt the same.

So regarding this inevitable battle, forcibly stopping them would only lose favorability.

Besides, this situation wasn't without benefits for Haru. In his view, Shiki's reckless action might lure out whoever was spying on the Dark Six.

While using Shiki as bait had high success rates, Haru had placed numerous contingencies on her.

So Haru couldn't be certain whether the Dark Six would dare target Shiki, though surely the Dark Six wouldn't be suicidal.

Indeed, my weakness is my 'wives'~

Walking toward the dormitory rooftop, Haru mused while telling Akiha and Fujino behind him, "You two should go to the Kuonji mansion too. It'd be a shame if your rare dinner with Alice fell through."

Hearing this, Akiha and Fujino paused briefly. Understanding Haru wanted them in a safe zone, both girls showed gentle smiles.

"I understand, Haru/Father." ×2

Seeing their sweet voices, Haru's lips curved slightly, feeling thoroughly pleased.

While the independent Shiki twins weren't bad, obedient girls were definitely more endearing.

The trio ascending the stairs gradually reached the rooftop entrance.

—————

On the mountain road from Misaki City to Tokyo's southernmost Ota Ward.

Lorelei Barthomeloi donned her mithril magic gloves on her right hand. Behind her, a full fifty-member Chorus stood fully armed.

"How long until the signal?" Lorelei asked coldly to her adjutant Chad standing rigidly behind her.

"Three minutes, Lord Barthomeloi." Chad in his black robes responded immediately.

After responding, Chad hesitantly glanced at Lorelei's abdomen, pondering before saying, "Lord Barthomeloi, given your physical condition, commanding from the rear would be more appropriate."

Hearing Chad's overstepping comment, Lorelei unusually didn't rage, only touching her abdomen somewhat dazedly.

After stroking it briefly, remembering a certain man who'd ignored everything since their meeting, her face darkened. "Four years without initial development won't matter these few days. Besides, miscarriage is fine—it's a bastard without a father anyway."

The Chorus behind her, having received someone's orders to protect Lorelei at all costs, collectively lowered their heads to count ants on the ground.

—————

Narbareck stood on distant treetops, playing with her short blade while watching the raging Lorelei with amusement.

"Oh my, I thought this would be boring work, but it seems we're going straight to the heart~"

Narbareck turned, looking excitedly at Tokyo, her delicate face wearing a bloodthirsty smile.

—————

Western Suginami Ward.

Gransurg Blackmore removed his tailcoat, throwing his top hat to the ground. His inner shirt revealed powerful muscles.

Suited figures gradually shed their civilized veneer. Under the blood moon's illumination, everyone's shadows began transforming.

Werewolves, minotaurs, chimeras, snake-people, even panda-people—numerous 'non-human species' appeared on this earth, like Azeroth's Horde invading Earth.

Lion-headed Gransurg spoke calmly like an aged lion king: "I specifically chose Suginami for its large forested areas. So everyone—survival first, killing enemies second."

As Gransurg finished speaking, all beasts released their roars.

—ROAAAAR!!!

—————

Northern Tokyo, Adachi Ward's outskirts.

On a highway less than five kilometers from Tokyo's Nerima Ward.

Purple-clad Sion checked her handgun-shaped Conceptual Weapon. Behind her, rows of figures like mobile arsenals crouched, inspecting various controlled firearms on the ground.

Among the three mage associations, Atlas Academy alchemists specialized in material transformation and were particularly skilled at weapon forging. According to rumors, America's five major arms dealers all had Atlas Academy connections.

"Three minutes left." After checking equipment, Sion slowly raised her head, her lavender eyes reflecting Tokyo's blood-red moon above.

—————

As an academy built on hillsides, as a closed academy, to prevent students from sneaking off campus, Reien Academy's dormitories stood at the academy's highest point.

On the dormitory rooftop, Haru stood at the edge, his closed eyes reflecting Tokyo's current state.

Seeing the blood moon covering all Tokyo, Haru's lips curved slightly. An octagonal milky-white crystal suddenly appeared in his hand.

"Since it's a signal, I should greet them properly."

The milky crystal emitted silver light, floating like silver ribbons around Haru.

Sacred and sublime words whispered through the night sky, carried by gentle winds, echoing slowly across hundreds of miles.

[O Immortal Sun, grant me thy radiant steed. O spiritual horse with swift hooves, bring forth the wheel that symbolizes thy master!]

"NEIGH!!!"

With an earth-shaking whinny—the sun descended from the sky!