◊ ◊ ◊
Focusing his magic on remaining hidden, Minoru made his way toward the main entrance of the hospital without being detected. He was joined there by four Parasite dolls who had made it past the Juumonji guards. Suddenly, about 10
magicians ran out of the hospital.
Minoru intuitively understood that the Yotsuba would be the hospital's last line of defense, so he carefully directed his magical perception inside the hospital. He only used passive detection, not wanting to risk detection by using psions to actively search.
"Only Miyuki-san is left…?"
Miyuki was not hiding her presence, so he was able to detect her with passive detection. Minoru had expected only Tatsuya to leave the hospital, and Miyuki staying with Minami was within his expectations. He had seen some of her abilities in Nara, but he was not naïve enough to think that that had been Miyuki's full strength.
"Still, compared to Tatsuya-san…"
…she should not be such a strong opponent. Based on the current situation, Minoru assessed his chances of a successful invasion.
The hospital doors remained open as if inviting Minoru in, and there were no more signs that someone would come out of them. The Yotsuba magicians were directing all their attention toward the released Parasites.
Minoru had not wanted to take the civilians hostage. He wished the Yotsuba luck in sealing the Parasites while he penetrated the hospital, concealing both himself and the Parasite dolls with his magic.
◊ ◊ ◊
The Tsukuba branch of the Yotsuba family specialized in mental interference magic, and among the people led by Yuuka, eight people had mastered methods of mental defense. These eight surrounded Yuuka, forming a circle (or more accurately, and octagon) with Yuuka in the center.
These eight people separated themselves by a regular distance and turned to face away from Yuuka.
The magician Northwest of Yuuka said "Ken."
The magician in the West continued: "Da."
The magicians to the Southwest, South, and Southeast of Yuuka followed in their order:
"Kon."
"Ri."
"Son."
To the East and Northeast:
"Sin."
"Gon."
And finally, the magician in the North finished with:
"Kan."
A barrier from mental interference magic appeared from using the ancient magic of the "Eight Trigrams": Sky, Water, Earth, Wind, Thunder, Mountain, and Water.
Yuuka was spot on the center of the barrier.
The barrier was not just a barrier to defend against mental interference magic: it was an altar that both protected the spellcasters inside and increased the effectiveness of the magic from these spellcasters.
Yuuka took out a small piece of paper from her purse. It was cut to have a square center, square protrusions on the left and right, and a triangular protrusion on its top.
The bottom was cut into two rectangles connected by the top. It was an amulet formed to be a paper doll, abstractly symbolizing a person. Yuuka placed the amulet between the index and middle fingers of her left hand, holding it to her face.
Yuuka managed the bracelet-CAD on her left wrist with her right hand to cast her magic. A sequence of magic was projected from Yuuka to the amulet doll, and the amulet jumped out from Yuuka's hand after the sequence of magic to fly towards a Parasite. It quickly sucked in the information body core of the Parasite, sealing it inside.
The amulet trembled, dancing in the wind before falling back down into the octagonal barrier formed from Mental Interference magic.
Yuuka quickly pulled out another amulet, but the Parasites were able to sense danger and attacked Yuuka with lighting magic.
But the physical magic was stopped by Katsuto.
"Ara, thank you," Yuuka said.
"The Juumonji family will protect you. Tsukuba-san, focus on sealing," Katsuto responded.
Katsuto and Yuuka had met a few days ago, so without wasting time on additional greetings, they each continued to perform their jobs in order to deal with the released Parasites.
◊ ◊ ◊
Tatsuya took the Sealing Sphere hovering over the surface of the sea and returned to Lina. The battle between the defense detachment and the Parasites from Star Dust was ongoing, but the situation was fairly stable and Tatsuya didn't need to hurry to help. If Tatsuya and Lina joined the fighting, it would end in less than 5
minutes.
"…or would it be better to finish it all at once?"
While Tatsuya pondered this, a small armored car drove up the road leading from the airfield. The door opened and Hanabishi Hyogo stepped out of the driver's seat.
"Tatsuya-sama, sorry for making you wait."
"No… Hyogo-san, you are just in time," Tatsuya replied while raising the helmet flap of his Freed Suit.
After greeting Hyogo, Tatsuya looked at the back of the armored car – Hyogo should have come with the spellcaster requested by him to seal the Parasites.
The rear right door of the armored car opened, and the person who stepped out turned out to be a girl younger than Tatsuya dressed in a bright dress unsuitable for the battlefield.
"Ayako?"
Tatsuya's voice expressed his surprise.
There were 2 types of Yotsuba magicians: magicians with high aptitude for mental interference, and magicians with powerful and unique magic. Tatsuya and Ayako were both of the second type, unsuitable for using mental interference magic, but it should have been necessary to seal the Parasites.
"Hello, Tatsuya-san. Hey, Fumiya! Tatsuya-san is waiting. Hurry up and come out faster!"
Ayako's words after her greeting instantly dispelled the doubts. Fumiya's special magic "Direct Pain" used mental interference magic, and after he had been forced to retreat from Minoru, he had learned a sealing spell for the Parasites from the main house.
Fumiya, moving slowly for some reason, finally emerged from the armored car.
However, Tatsuya did not immediately know how to greet him.
"Fumiya… that is, Yami?"
"Call me Yami, please…"
With a face the same color as his shirt (that is, red), Fumiya answered Tatsuya with a timid voice.
"I see… Yami, what is with this appearance?"
"I've already said I don't like it!"
Fumiya replied in an angry, dissatisfied, and almost tearful voice.
"Nothing can be done because it's necessary for the sealing spell."
Ayako's voice was tinged with detachment – she had already been forced to deal with plenty of complaints from Fumiya.
"Needed… for sealing?"
Tatsuya turned to Ayako as he asked his question. He was short on time, but he couldn't help but ask.
"It seems that more than 5 spellcasters are needed to use the original magic for sealing the Parasites."
Ayako said this as both a response to Tatsuya and encouragement for Fumiya.
"But our staff is currently located in Tokyo, so we have a shortage of people," Ayako continued.
"I see. So Fumiya came alone?"
Fumiya was the heir to the Kuroba branch of the Yotsuba family. He was initially supposed to help his father take the command of the Kuroba magicians, so the fact that he was sent to Miyaki Island showed how much his magical power was appreciated as a candidate for the head of the Yotsuba.
Still, based on only this, it was still unclear why Fumiya was dressed as he was.
"Apparently certain types of ancient magic have an increased effect when wearing clothes of the opposite sex."
Dressing as the opposite sex – a woman in male clothes, or a man in female clothes.
"So now we have Yami in the form of a temple priestess?"
"Yes."
Fumiya's clothing consisted of a white kimono top and a red hakama shit bottom. He wore sandals over white socks, and his wig was square like the one he usually used, but had long, straight hair tied behind his back.
No matter how you looked at it, he was a beautiful priestess-san.
"Yes. The head-sama said that since there are not enough people, I have to strengthen my magic like this," Fumiya said, somewhat dejectedly.
"Then… I offer my condolences."
Tatsuya was unwittingly serious as he apologized to Fumiya. He had sent a request for a sealing wizard, but his request had resulted in Fumiya becoming a toy in Maya's hands.
"…no, Tatsuya-niisan, you aren't guilty. Besides, I'm just doing my job!"
Fumiya absolved Tatsuya's guilt while encouraging himself. It was clear from his appearance that he hoped to complete the sealing as quickly as possible to be freed from this cosplay sooner.
"I see. Then seal these three first," Tatsuya said.
It was necessary to preserve Fumiya's motivation, at least for the start, so Tatsuya had him start with the weakened ones. Tatsuya showed him to the spheres in which the Parasites that had once merged with Regulus, Vega, and Deneb were locked.
"Tatsuya-san… did you do this?" Ayako asked.
Both Ayako and Fumiya stared at the Sealing Spheres curiously.
"But they look pretty sealed…?"
Tatsuya shook his head at Fumiya's question.
"After about 6 hours, the effect of these Sealing Spheres will disappear. It is also inconvenient to store and transport them like this.
"Indeed… well, I understand."
Fumiya went back to the back-left door of the armored car and came back with a wooden box which looked like a first aid kit. Inside were 16 Kokeshi dolls without painted faces. The armored car also held two more boxes just like the first.
Fumiya took one Kokeshi doll out of the box.
Ayako pulled a red mat out of a gym bag and spread it over the road.
"I am starting."
Fumiya placed the Kokeshi doll in front of the Sealing Sphere, sat on the mat, and stretched his hand to his CAD – a long and narrow mobile terminal attacked to his belt.
Tatsuya and Lina carefully stepped away from the twins.
"Tatsuya…"
Lina turned towards Tatsuya and spoke in a depressed voice. Tatsuya silently looked toward her and asked her to continue.
"And Fumiya…?"
For a while after her escape, Lina lived under the Kuroba family's protection, so she was already acquainted with Fumiya.
"…because he wants to change clothes quickly?"
"Let's hurry and neutralize the parasites still in the battle so Fumiya can seal them quickly," Tatsuya responded.
There were still 20 Parasites. Tatsuya replied to Lina with unconcealed pity on his face, and the tense atmosphere was finally becoming calmer with Fumiya's appearance.
However, the tense voice Tatsuya heard from his communication device smashed his ease to pieces.
◊ ◊ ◊
Minoru and the Parasite dolls who had infiltrated Aoba Clinic climbed to the 4th floor using the stairs to get to Minami's ward. Nobody had tried to stop Minoru during his trip from the entrance to the stairs, or while he climbed the stairs to the fourth floor corridor. He hadn't even seen any signs of being noticed.
"…is this a trap?"
Minoru found it hard to believe that there weren't precautions in place against Minoru, and he hadn't seen any patients or other hospital staff either. But if it was a trap, where was it? Minoru couldn't think of anything that could stop him.
Minoru only detected the presence of Miyuki and Minami inside Minami's ward, so it seemed to him like they were just telling him to come in and pick up Minami. Minoru was suspicious, but also a little relieved at the situation.
…premonition.
Minoru felt a slight pang of worry for a moment, and the steps felt heavy after it. The Parasite dolls had no feelings about the now sinister atmosphere, but they also slowed down after Minoru decelerated.
Minoru and the dolls took almost 3 times longer than they should have to get to the chamber. However, there was no indication that we was being attacked from within –
his worries seemed for naught.
Minoru took a deep breath and ordered one of the Parasite dolls to enter. Opening the unlocked door, the doll entered the chamber. A moment later, Minoru glimpsed a sparkling white ice field.
"I am standing in a lifeless, icy world of absolute silence."
This illusion was pressed on Minoru's mind with such force that his heart felt ready to stop – so much that it took him much longer than it should have to notice that the Parasite doll entering the ward had stopped.
The Parasite was not just frozen physically.
The Parasite's true body – the difference between the fighting gynoids and the parasite dolls – had also stopped. The spiritual life form was frozen.
As if thrown back, the Parasite doll returned to the corridor and crashed into the opposite wall of the door. It fell to the floor of corridor. Minoru didn't know if the electronic brain inside the gynoid had been frozen, preventing body control, but it was clear that the Parasite doll was out of action.
The door to the chamber remained open, but Minoru did not feel an invitation to enter. However, there were no signs that someone would leave, so he would only seal his fate by waiting – either Tatsuya or the magicians from the guard could return.
Minoru didn't have much confidence that the Parasites on Miyaki Island would delay Tatsuya for long, and the chance of them defeating him was zero. Minoru's main enemy was time, and he ordered the remaining three Parasite dolls to enter. Then, focusing all his strength into Parade and Ghost Walker, he followed.
As he entered, he heard a whisper:
"Cocytus."
Minoru once again felt the lifeless, silent world of ice. The illusion of Parade was frozen; Ghost Walker was useless. If Parade had not protected Minoru, he intuitively knew that his body… no, his very soul would have frozen. The Parasite dolls, without any such protection, fell onto the floor without any sign of external damage.
When the vessels shaped like women became ordinary lifeless dolls, Minoru found himself facing Miyuki – he was frozen, and Miyuki calm.
Miyuki did not move.
Minoru could not move.
Miyuki was the first to speak.
"What an eyesore," Miyuki said as she waved her right hand. The Parasite dolls that had fallen to the floor were pushed into the corner of the room.
"What was that, just now…?" Minoru asked, moaning. He was clearly not asking about the movement magic Miyuki had used to move the dolls. Miyuki also understood this and answered the real question.
"Cocytus: magic to freeze the mind. My trump card."
Miyuki's answer was cold, but it contained no hostility.
"Magic to freeze the mind…?" Minoru muttered, stunned. He couldn't quite believe the events that had taken place as he entered the room, and his question was really asking "what does this mean?!", but Miyuki didn't answer that question.
"Minoru-kun. This is your miscalculation."
"Miscalculation?"
"You thought I was weaker than Tatsuya-sama, right?"
"..."
Minoru had no answer.
"I am weaker than Tatsuya-sama."
Minoru unwittingly swallowed saliva. He was not frozen anymore by his shock after Miyuki's magic, but by the tension her words brought.
"However, I am the natural enemy for the parasites. Jobs such as these… I am better suited for," Miyuki said. The last of her friendless remaining in her tone disappeared as she said her next words.
"I can kill the true body of the Parasite."
The Parasites were a spiritual life form and could not resist against Cocytus.
"Magic that freezes the mind… magic that freezes it to death?" Minoru asked.
"Cocytus is the magic that stops the mind."
Physically, it is impossible to achieve absolute zero – heat transfers from higher heat to lower heat, so as a substance approaches absolute zero, heat can no long be removed. However, Miyuki's magic Cocytus could completely freeze the mind, and once frozen, the mind could never again be set in motion.
"Mental absolute zero…?" Minoru asked, still struggling to accept the events.
"A mind without material connections – without a physical body – cannot hold its information body and will eventually disappear… it will eventually just cease to exist."
"..."
Once again, Minoru was at a loss of words. Miyuki was telling the truth – Minoru was forced to admit he had miscalculated. Leading Tatsuya away was not enough –
when planning a diversion, it was more important to lead Miyuki away.
"Minoru-kun. Please get out of here."
"Huh?!"
Minoru was not the only one surprised at this suggestion. Minami, next to Miyuki watching the conversation unfold, could not hide her surprise.
"Your capture… it's the work of Tatsuya-sama. It is enough for me to just protect Minami-chan."
"..."
"Run away Minoru-kun. I will not chase you."
Even without giving a proper purpose, Minoru was sure Miyuki was telling the truth.
If he retreated, he would be able to escape, and Minoru found himself considering the act, however cowardly. However…
"…I cannot."
Minoru couldn't accept Miyuki's offer.
"I came here to help Minami-san. I can not retreat for my own benefit."
Minoru realized he was being foolish, but he was not sure if he would get another opportunity to "save" Minami.
"…perhaps this is the last chance…"
"…if I run away now, I will no longer be able to reach Minami…"
Minoru's reasoning didn't allow him to make a wise choice.
"… I see. I'm sorry."
Miyuki held her right hand towards Minoru. Cocytus did not need a gesture; she was giving Minoru the chance to change his mind, trying to push him through intimidation. She was not worried about Minoru attacking in response – she had
sensed her previous Cocytus had effected Minoru, so his magical abilities were temporarily deteriorated.
But Minoru still didn't run away.
All of Miyuki's emotions disappeared from her face, and she stood with her arm extended. But right before she activated Cocytus, Minami shouted.
"Please stop!"
Minami called for Miyuki to stop and ran to Minoru, covering him as she spread her arms to the side. She got in Miyuki's way to defend Minoru.
"Minami chan, what are you…" Miyuki mumbled and astonished but she quickly recovered.
She did not try to persuade Minami – Minami herself didn't understand why she was doing what she was doing.
…also, it wasn't clear how Minoru would act.
Miyuki started to activate Cocytus, but she was forced to ask Minami to stop instead.
"Minami-chan, don't do that!"
Minami was trying to activate her barrier magic.
"Miyuki-sama, please! Stop!"
"Why…"
Miyuki didn't know what to do – if she used magic, so would Minami. Minami's magic blocked physical events, and it couldn't stop Cocytus. However, Minami's magic calculation area had been overheated, and if she tried to use magic again… it could even deprive her of her life.
"Minami-san, I'm sorry!"
Minoru took advantage of Miyuki's indecision. He stretched his hand around Minami's waist and jumped back with her, slipping through the air towards the stairs. Miyuki quickly went out of the ward, but she stopped when she saw Minami's glance from over Minoru's shoulder.
If Miyuki attacked Minoru, Minami would defend him from it. Miyuki feared the consequences which bound her thinking.
Minoru escaped from the hospital through the window of the landing, but Miyuki did not see it.
She ran back to the ward, and after making several mistakes while operating the terminal, finally managed to call Tatsuya's communicator.
◊ ◊ ◊
"Onii-sama, Minami-chan...!"
Miyuki's desperate cry returned tension in Tatsuya's heart right as he calmed down.
"Miyuki, what happened?" he hurried to ask, trying to calm down as he held back the trepidation that came along with the tension.
"Minami-chan is with Minoru-kun!"
"He could still kidnap her!?" Tatsuya exclaimed.
"Yes! No!"
Miyuki's response was completely meaningless. She was clearly very worried.
"Miyuki, I'll be back as soon as possible."
Tatsuya didn't further interrogate Miyuki.
"Do you hear me, Miyuki? I'm coming back to you."
"...Yes."
Tatsuya's words diminished Miyuki's panic, if only a little.
"Miyuki. I'm leaving now."
"Yes, okay!"
After finishing his conversation with Miyuki, Tatsuya faced Lina.
"Tatsuya, go," Lina spoke first. "I'll figure it out here. You should hurry to Miyuki."
"I'll rely on you then, Lina."
Without saying anything to Ayako or Fumiya, Tatsuya ran to the aircar. It pulled forward as soon as he sat in the driver's seat, and Ayako turned at the sound.
As Ayako, Lina, and Hyogo silently watched, the light-blue care flew off towards Tokyo