Chapter 87: In the darkness, something gleamed dully.

Saori and the others pressed forward into the depths, following a path so pitch-black they could only feel their way through it.

"It's so dark… Light, come forth! Just kidding."

Of course, Mayumi didn’t need to rely on such inefficient tricks—so she casually produced a light source without hesitation.

"Is this really the time to joke around!?"

"Do that again and I’ll tear that stupid toy of yours apart."

"Hey, I just said something weird out loud, that’s all! I’m totally serious here!"

An unpleasant thought crossed their minds—the worst one possible. The possibility that Suou was already dead.
To drive that idea away, they kept talking, almost desperately, as they pushed deeper in.

"Th-the path’s blocked!"

"Not just that… those threads—probably a trap."

The roads through the Arius Autonomous Zone were a maze in themselves. On top of that, shutters and barriers could close off sections at any time, all under the supervision of academy instructors who treated the checkpoints like guarded gates.

The correct route to their destination changed periodically, which meant that at the very least—they couldn’t avoid a fight with the teachers stationed there.

"The instructors… are gone."

"Yeah… that must mean…"

Two possibilities came to mind.
One: the instructors, realizing Beatrice had been defeated, fled.
Two: they’d gathered their forces elsewhere to prevent anyone from passing through.

"Hmph… this door’s ridiculously sturdy. Step aside. I’ll blow it open."

Either way, there was hope. A path forward. They couldn’t stop now.

Mayumi raised her nearly broken mechanical arm, gathering light in her palm—

"Quite the barbaric company you keep, don’t you?"

A red silhouette appeared before the rubble, halting her movement.

"…Ah. A hologram, huh? Nice to meet you, what a revolting face you’ve got. So that means, um, in short—you’re…"

"Madam… Beatrice."

"Disappear."

The moment Saori spoke the name, Mayumi’s robot fired a laser beam—condensed blue light that obliterated both the communication terminal and Beatrice’s hologram, tearing through one of the doors with it.

"What the—!?"

"Yeah, that’s exactly what you’d do, Mayumi. Let’s just ignore it and move on."

They stepped forward through the half-destroyed door—

"I’m afraid I’ll need a moment of your time."

—but before they could proceed, the Justina Council of Saints surrounded them.

"Tch… so there’s more than one comm terminal after all…!"

"Thanks to that, I was able to reconnect through the Justina Council of Saints’ channel. I appreciate it, Squad."

Her tone dripped with sarcasm.
As the de facto representative of the group, Saori stepped forward to face her.

"Madam… no, Beatrice. So you really are alive."

"My, how you’ve grown, Joumae Saori. Can’t you tremble adorably like you did ten years ago?"

"…!!"

Ten years ago—right after the civil uprising. When she’d gone to rescue Atsuko Hakari, only to be captured and dragged into a one-sided “negotiation.”

"I’m not afraid of you anymore. Return Suou to us, Beatrice."

This time was different. She wasn’t that weak girl who tried to carry everyone’s burdens alone.
She told herself that as she met Beatrice’s gaze with unwavering resolve.

"Suou… ahaha, so you care about that lunatic that much? I’m afraid that’s impossible. She’s already dead."

"That’s a lie! Then where’s her body!?"

"Ah, that. It still has its uses. If she’s going to rot in the ground anyway, we might as well make practical use of her."

"Then I have even less reason to stop. Dead or not, we’re taking her back—she’s our comrade."

Even if she was just a corpse, there was no reason to abandon her. And Saori had no intention of believing anything Beatrice said at face value.

"Foolish children. You intend to oppose me? Impossible. Outsmarting me is beyond your reach."

"Funny, coming from someone who got roughed up by Suou."

Beatrice’s voice faltered at Saori’s retort.
Her body was in a state that could only be described as wrecked—her palms charred as if melted, blood dripping from multiple wounds. Several of the countless eyes that adorned her monstrous form had gone dark.

"…Yes. I’ll admit, that was unexpected. To think she’d dare turn the Justina Council of Saints against me… I thought I could harness her hatred toward Trinity."

"That idiot never had anything like that to begin with. You called us foolish children, but you’re the one tripping over them now."

Saori’s anger toward Suou’s reckless behavior spilled out, redirected at Beatrice in a displaced outburst.
Fear still lingered deep inside her—the same fear that had taken root in childhood. But not just in her. Misaki, Hiyori, Atsuko… they all carried that scar.

Even so—

"The real fool here is you, Beatrice. I’ll say it again. Suou will be returned to us, one way or another."

Compared to the terror of facing a self-proclaimed elder sister out of nowhere, this was nothing. Besides, they weren’t alone anymore.

"My, quite the sharp tongue you’ve grown. Is that her influence, perhaps?"

"…You didn’t even know what Suou was doing. So what right do you have to talk now?"

"…Atsuko Hakari. I believe I sealed your voice once before."

"Why bother following orders no one even notices being broken?"

They had each other. They had the words Suou left behind. Her proof of life still shone within their hearts, guiding them forward.

"Naughty children, all of you… unable to follow a single instruction."

"That’s rich coming from you, Madam. You never planned to free Atsuko in the first place, did you? You broke your own promises first—so who are you to lecture us?"

"…Well then, I suppose we can end this barren little conversation here. I don’t have time to waste debating with children incapable of reason."

She cut off the exchange, her unsettling crimson eyes shifting toward another "adult" among them.

"Nice to meet you, Sensei. My name is Beatrice. You may already know this, but I’m a member of Gematria. Please forgive me for greeting you through a transmission."

"…!!"

"I’ve heard much about you from the Black Suits, Maestro, and Golconde."

Her previous arrogance vanished, replaced by polite formality.
The sudden shift startled Sensei, but he kept her gaze steady.

"So you’re the one controlling Arius…"

"Indeed. At present, I am also Gematria’s sole success story."

Success story.
She spoke of that fragile truth while covering her mouth with a delighted smile.

"Hehe… curious about me, are you? How I brought Arius under my control? If you like, we can trade information—you tell me what you know, and I’ll tell you my methods."

"No need. I already know your methods."

Beatrice raised an eyebrow in mild surprise.

"Oh? You do? Then you know I used no special powers. That wouldn’t be the adult way. I merely amplified the negative emotions already present here and used them to—"

"Wrong."

Sensei’s voice cut sharply through her words.

"These children didn’t harbor hatred. Your so-called ‘method’ only worked because of another factor entirely."

"…Another factor?"

"Control through violence and fear of death. They were afraid—afraid of turning that same violence on themselves or those around them. Your false teachings, your warped lessons, never shaped them. What hurt them was your complacency. Your abuse of authority and power. That alone is the truth."

‘Teachings.’ ‘Lessons.’
Beatrice had mocked and trampled upon both, dragging her students into the abyss.
For Sensei, that was something utterly, absolutely unforgivable.

"…I see. How incomprehensible. My teachings may have been twisted… but they are also the truth. To interact with others in this world is nothing short of hell itself. Anger, disgust, pain, regret—such emotions are ever swirling. Just like this so-called Eden Treaty."

"…"

"There is no such thing as true understanding between people. In fact, you all are living proof of that."

Beatrice spoke with the exasperation of a teacher scolding a failing student, sighing lightly as she did.

"The ones you tried so hard to protect with your very life—they came here of their own will, to end their lives. It’s beyond salvation."

"That won’t happen, and I won’t let it. More than that... the source of it all, Beatrice, is you. You have no right to speak those words."

"Is that so? Then, Sensei, let’s make a deal."

Further debate was pointless. With all her eyes briefly closed and then reopened, Beatrice turned each one toward Sensei.

"Would you be so kind as to leave this place quietly?"

Her words stunned everyone present.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean that I’ll let you go. Ah, Atsuko Hakari—you as well."

"…!"

Sacrificing Atsuko had been Beatrice’s long-cherished goal. The Squad knew that. So did Sensei, Mayumi, and Sayuri. Which made this sudden offer all the more baffling—why abandon that now?

"Suou Kirihana was indeed a troublesome presence, but she also offered me a blessing. By using her body as a sacrifice, I could achieve the same—no, an even greater effect—than offering up Atsuko Hakari. It was meant as insurance, a last resort... but fortunately, that won’t be necessary anymore."

As if presenting the results of her research, Beatrice continued.

"Let’s call this a draw. I’ll lose the fighting strength that is all of you. At the same time, I’ll lose my chance to eliminate Sensei. But in return, you will give up on Suou Kirihana’s body. Agreed?"

"…"

Sensei did not answer. He already knew what would come next. Instead of replying, he made his intent clear through silence—he would not yield.

"It’s a proposal with benefits for you as well. Don’t you wish to know what this world truly is—what Kivotos really means? The nature of this unidentified world—"

"You’ve been yapping nonstop, you old hag!!!"

Mayumi’s outburst cut through the air like a thunderclap. She had been holding it in from the moment Beatrice began speaking.

"The truth of the world? Its nature? Ha! Like I care about that crap! What matters is clear enough!!"

Her hand, sparking and smoking from overuse, pointed straight at Beatrice.

"You tried to kill Atsuko Hakari! You used the Squad! You used the Arius Branch! You killed Asiri’s sister! You tormented my benefactor! That’s everything that matters! You’re my enemy! Even among redheads, Sayuri’s a thousand times better than you!!"

"I’d really rather not be compared to that one. Even through a hologram, I can practically smell your old-lady stench. Ugh, how revolting."

"…!"

Beatrice had exploited the Arius Branch. She had tried to seize the blue world that belonged to Saori and the others. That alone was unforgivable—yet her tone only fueled the fire. It was more than enough to make Mayumi, whose temper was already short, explode.

"I’ve no idea what you’re babbling about."

"Shut up already!!"

"Mayumi… you…"

For what felt like the hundredth time, Saori was left speechless. She composed herself quickly, her expression serious.

"…Thank you. For getting angry for our sake."

"Nicely said. I’m actually impressed—just a little bit."

"I—I thought you were just a total weirdo…!"

"She still is, though."

"Wha—what’s with all of you!?"

"Sorry, can’t really defend you on this one."

After the Squad’s varied reactions, Saori turned back to Beatrice, her face hardening.

"It’s a generous offer, but I’ll have to decline. Beatrice, you’ve been our enemy—not from now, but from ten years ago."

"I see… and Sensei shares that conviction as well, I assume?"

Beatrice shifted her gaze back to Sensei. Though she had been late to realize it, the sentiment was mutual. After all, anger wasn’t limited to Mayumi and the others.

"Sorry, but I’m not interested in your so-called truth. I’m taking Suou back. Beatrice—you insulted your students. As an adult, I’ll never forgive you for that."

"Heh… so this is a declaration of war, then. Very well. You—you all—are henceforth my adversaries."

With that declaration, the Saint Council members who had surrounded Saori’s group began to move.

"Fools. To throw away your lives for the dead…"

"They’re not dead."

As the Saint Council advanced, Atsuko snapped at Beatrice’s dismissive tone.

"If the dead could be used as sacrifices, then there would’ve been no need to give me this mask."

"…"

"Suou is alive. Isn’t that right, Madam?"

"…Who’s to say? If you’re so desperate to know, come to the Basilica. Of course—"

Beatrice’s mocking smile curled. With a snap of her fingers, the signal went out silently.

"—that’s assuming you can make it there."

"…Sensei, stand back. We’ll break through by force."

The Saint Council raised their guns but paused, awaiting Beatrice’s command.

"Now then, Sensei… enigmatic one, like her. The man in black sees you as a comrade, believing you can rival each other. The Maestro sees you as an equal, believing you can grow together. Golconde sees you as a metaphor, believing the two of you complete each other. And I see you as an adversary, believing we will repel one another."

"…"

"You are my enemy. Eliminate them."

It was a casual, almost everyday tone of voice—an ordinary fragment of conversation. Without a hint of emotion, the command was given. A moment later, the Council of Saints opened fire.

Among their ranks were larger and smaller models that hadn’t been present when Saori and the others had taken control of them earlier. It was clear that Beatrice had modified and reinforced them even further.

"This will probably be our final battle as a Squad."

Dodging the Council’s gunfire, Saori drew in a sharp breath.
The final battle as Arius was about to begin—one that would lead her to her precious sister.

"Sensei! Mayumi! Sayuri, or whatever you’re called! I need your cooperation!!"

"Of course!"

"’Bout time!!"

"Okay!"

"Squad! All units, move out!!"

"Roger that!"

The first to charge forward were Sayuri and Mayumi. Their mechs were already near the breaking point, but they still planned to use their massive frames for sheer-impact attacks.

"Saori, Azusa, Atsuko! Grab onto the frame!!"

"Got it—wha!? How did you—"

"Azusa, hurry!"

Not missing that brief opening, Sensei issued precise orders to the Squad.
Despite Azusa’s surprise, they managed to safely close the distance to the enemy forces.

"Misaki!"

"Got it!"

"I’ll send you freaks straight to hell!!"

With a wild battle cry, Mayumi slammed into the Council units alongside Sayuri, putting everything she had into the attack. Her machine was heavily damaged, its output limited, and several enemy units nearly countered—but Saori and the others rushed in to block their retaliation. Together, they launched over a dozen enemies high into the sky.

"Three, two, one… fire!!"

The airborne Council units were blown apart by Misaki’s rocket launcher—no trace left behind.

"Hiyori!! Take care of the stragglers!"

"Y-yes, ma’am!!"

The few Council members that slipped through were swiftly eliminated—Hiyori’s sniper rifle pierced their heads with deadly precision, ensuring none survived.
In just that brief exchange, the majority of the enemy had been neutralized. But compared to the sheer number still surrounding Sensei’s group, it was only a fraction.

And then—

"Tch…! Damn junk heap!!"

Mayumi’s robot finally powered down, its systems temporarily shutting off. Sayuri’s was still running thanks to her skill, but no one knew how long it would last.

"Mayumi, if you can, get it operational again with emergency repairs!"

"Leave it to me!! Do you know who you’re talking to!? I’m the brilliant, all-club-mastering, genius beauty Mayumi-chan!!"

"Less talk, more fixing!!"

"Gah!?"

Coughing blood at Misaki’s sharp retort, Mayumi tied up her hair, slid on her goggles, and pulled out a portable repair kit to get to work.

"Everyone in close combat, form a perimeter around Mayumi! Sayuri, carry her and the mech to the broken flank we cleared earlier! Misaki and Hiyori, cover them!"

"Carry the whole mech…? Ohhh! I get it now!!"

"Wait—what are you planning to do!?"

"The three of you, fall back to the top of the mech for now!!"

At Sensei’s command, Sayuri flashed a wicked grin. Her expression couldn’t be seen behind the mech’s armor, but Mayumi knew that look all too well. And then, after a brief pause—

"Like this!!"

"Waaahhhhhh!?"

Sayuri charged forward, shoving the massive, metallic-blue mech across the ground with raw force.

"That’s precision machinery!! Are you insane!?"

"You built it, didn’t you!? Then it’ll hold!!"

"Well, yeah—but still!!"

Along the way, they crushed several Council members underfoot, neutralizing them efficiently.
But then, some of the enemies they’d defeated earlier began to reanimate.

"Everyone! Some of the Council are starting to revive! Their numbers will grow fast—stay sharp!"

"Already!?"

"They’ve lowered their durability to shorten recovery time…!!"

The Council lacked true learning capability, yet they still adapted toward optimal combat efficiency. Their new focus was clear: Mayumi.
They were determined to stop her from repeating her earlier attack.

"Out of my way!!"

"You shall go no further…!"

Because they had broken through earlier, the Council’s approach angles were now cut to half of what they’d been—but even so, their overwhelming numbers remained.
Sensei, carried on Hiyori’s back, barely managed to shield himself from the incoming fire while he, Misaki, and Hiyori continued to support Saori’s team.

But then—

"Wh—what is that!?"

Without warning, a grotesque creature appeared—its face hollowed by a gaping void. Unlike the Council members before, it no longer even resembled a human being.

"Everyone, fall back!! Mayumi, secure an escape route and take cover inside the mech!!"

A chill of premonition ran down Sensei’s spine. The creature—called Ambrosius by Suou—was gathering blue light inside its void.

"…!!"

"Azusa!!"

But Sensei’s warning came too late.
Azusa was pinned down by concentrated fire from the Council, unable to retreat.

The light grew brighter—its power swelling. Sensei reached for his pocket, intending to draw his black card—his last resort—when suddenly—

"Azusa-chan won’t be harmed on my watch!!"

A yellow mech descended from above, crashing down with a thunderous impact.
Carrying seven students aboard, it smashed its fist squarely into Ambrosius’s featureless face.