Chapter 90: Entrusted with Circulating Feelings

A massive, triple-bodied robot suddenly appeared within the Arius Autonomous Region. As Sensei’s eyes sparkled with excitement, the machine seized two Ambrosius units and hurled them aside.

"Operating limits are near…! Mayumi!! Asiri!! Let’s finish this—together!!"

The robot rampaged down the corridor, slamming the Justina Council of Saints’ forces aside. Each motion weaponized its immense mass into unrelenting destruction.

"Hmph!! You don’t even need to say it!! Asiri!!"

"Y-yeah!!"

Inside the cockpit, Asiri pulled a lever. The armor of the right arm gleamed, reshaping into a radiant yellow blade.

"T-T-T-TRINITY!! ARE YOU READY!?"

"Cut them down!!"

The moment Mayumi gave the order—

"SPARKIIIIING…!!! SLURSSSSSSSS!!!"

A surge of electricity burst forth, engulfing every clone of the Justina Council of Saints. They convulsed and froze in place, completely paralyzed.

"…! Incredible…!"

Saori muttered, irritation seeping into her voice as the edge of the shockwave brushed against her. With that kind of power—perhaps—

"Maybe they could even beat Beatrice…!"

"Sorry!! That’s impossible!!"

Asiri’s voice rang out over the comms—she’d clearly overheard Saori with her enhanced hearing.

"Mayumi’s unit’s already stopped moving! Sayuri’s is at its limit too…! Mine’s about to overheat from overload!! The next strike will be the last one!!"

"…I see."

"That’s why the path—!!! We’ll carve it open!!!"

Before Saori could reply—her voice thick with regret—

"M-M-M-MILLENNIUM!!! ARE YOU READY!?"

"Been ready for ten years!!!"

"MAXIMUM…!!! RAAAAAAAY!!!"

A blinding blue beam tore through the buildings of the Arius region, gouging a straight path toward the Old Cathedral.

"SYSTEM… DOWN…"

"Kh—!"

And with that, the Kivotos Robot Trio’s massive frame shattered apart, unable to sustain its form any longer.

"…Thank you. For fighting this far."

The words carried compassion—and gratitude. Spoken to a silent machine, yet no different from how one might address a comrade.

As Mayumi, Sayuri, and Asiri escaped from the wreckage—

"…! Hurry, you three!!"

The Justina Council of Saints was beginning to recover. If left unchecked, the situation would simply revert to before. Without the Kivotos Robot Trio, that risk was fatal—hence Saori’s urgency.

"Aaand… listen up, everyone from Arius, the Supplementary Lessons Department, and you too, Sensei!"

Mayumi pulled out a belt—missing its buckle—and fastened it around her waist. Sayuri and Asiri did the same.

"We’ll hold these guys off. You go on ahead."

"…! Are you insane!?"

Saori knew little about Sayuri’s power, but she’d heard from Azusa that Asiri wasn’t particularly strong. Even Mayumi, compared to Saori, wasn’t a powerhouse.

"A-Asiri-san!? No, please, you can’t…!"

"Hifumi-chan, thank you. But… I think this is our role."

"Asiri…"

"It—it was Azusa-chan who asked us to help. We want to save her too."

Her voice trembled, heavy with unspoken resolve.

"No…! I never meant for you to risk your lives like—"

"Ahaha. Looks like you’ve got it wrong."

Azusa tried to object, but Sayuri cut her off with a smirk.

"That’s right… There’s more than one Joker in the deck!"

"It’s been ages since the three of us did this!"

"Uuugh…! Do we really have to do it again…!?"

The three produced small, notebook-sized metallic plates engraved with intricate patterns—each one colored to match their hair.

"Oh? Then shall we not?"

"N-no way!! I can be useful too!!"

"Yeah yeah, fine, just hurry it up already!"

They inserted the plates into their belt buckles—

"Transformation!!!"

"ACCEPTED!!! LEADY? LAZY? SUPER LADY!!!"

A bizarrely cheerful voice echoed, completely at odds with the chaos surrounding them. Light flared, and the trio transformed—tight, suit-like armor wrapping around them in red, blue, and yellow.

"CHANGE!!! THE BEGINNING!!!"

"The crimson flame is the guide to freedom! Gehenna Red!!"

"The azure stream is proof of wisdom! Millennium Blue!!"

"T-the yellow lightning is the sign of compassion! Trinity Yellow!!"

"Kivotos Robot Trio!! Standing by!!"

"“……”"

With that dramatic declaration, they struck bold, explosive poses—so exaggerated and sudden that everyone around them froze in stunned silence.

"…H-hey, Mayu—Blue!! This really isn’t okay!!"

"And is this even a Sentai or a hero team!? Make up your mind!!"

"Shut it, you annoying geek!! As long as our identities are hidden, it’s fine!!"

Ignoring the baffled stares, the three colorful weirdos began bickering. Then, one of the Justina Council of Saints members lunged forward—

"Too slow!!"

Asiri reacted instantly, knocking the enemy back with blinding speed.

"Wha— Asiri!? You’re that strong!?"

"F-fufufu… Mayumi-chan’s powered suit…!! As long as I’m wearing this, I can fight too…!!"

"Yellow, you’re laughing like a villain."

The enemy’s numbers began to swell again. Though the Ambrosius units had been reduced, they too were reactivating. With Suou’s status still unknown, there was no time to waste being held here.

"…Right. We don’t have much time. Leave this to us and go!!"

"…! We’re counting on you!!"

"Asiri-san, please… stay safe."

"…Yeah!"

"…Take care of our precious, admired hero for us!"

Suppressing the urge to look back, they forced themselves forward. Everyone except the trio ran toward the Old Cathedral.

"Alright then... Mayumi, Asiri. We’re going all out. Don’t drag me down, okay?"

"Of course. Asiri, be careful with Overdrive."

"I-I know that...!!"

Asiri’s voice sounded unusually weak. Outwardly she seemed fine, but Mayumi and Sayuri—who’d known her for years—could sense something was off.
It reminded them of that time long ago, when Mayumi and Asiri had that huge fight.

"Alright then... just like always!! The three of us, together!!"

To hide the faint unease stirring inside her, Mayumi shouted. The battle began—the one they had long awaited—to finally repay their debt.

The group dashed across terrain scorched and glassed over by the blue beam’s passage. Some patches still glowed red-hot from residual heat.

"T-That was... insane..."

"To think they’d fire something like that without warning... Yose, you’re actually one of the better ones, since you at least report first."

"Yako-chan? That didn’t sound like a compliment."

They kept running, joking to ease the tension of what could’ve been a catastrophic outcome.

"Haa... haa...!"

"Koharu, don’t push yourself. I’ll carry you."

"I-I’m fine! I can still run!"

The Supplementary Lessons Department wasn’t built for endurance, but through sheer determination, they managed to keep up.

"...You’re Ajitani Hifumi, right?"

"Eh? Wah!? Y-Yes!"

"I’ve heard Azusa’s been in your care."

"U-Um...!"

Just as Hifumi’s stamina reached its limit, Saori lifted her effortlessly, exchanging a brief greeting. The exhausted girl could barely respond.

"Leader, your choice of words sucks. Hifumi, right? Don’t worry, she doesn’t mean anything bad by it."

"Y-Yes...!"

"S-Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you..."

Calm and composed, yet somehow absent-minded—Saori carried a subtle, natural airheadedness. It reminded Hifumi slightly of Azusa.

"My name’s Joumae Saori. I’m the leader of the Arius Squad, where Azusa serves. Nice to meet you."

"Y-Yes! I-I’m Ajitani Hifumi! I don’t have any title or anything, but I was the head of the Supplementary Lessons Department...! Azusa-chan’s always been such a big help to me...!"

"I see. Azusa’s always been friendly, but she’s often misunderstood. If she’s doing well with you, that’s good to hear."

Saori spoke quietly, keeping her distance so Azusa wouldn’t overhear. Glancing around, she noticed Koharu had already collapsed and was being carried by Azusa, while Hanako was struggling visibly. Even Sensei seemed barely holding himself together.

"Hey, you—Sensei, right? You’ve got no stamina either. You’re from outside Kivotos. Get on—I’ll carry you."

"Cough... Th-thanks... ugh...!"

"...Seriously."

Seeing no other option, Saori hoisted Sensei onto her back. She muttered under her breath about how someone that size could have so little stamina and let out a quiet sigh.

"...Honestly. What was the Squad Captain thinking, relying on someone like this?"

"That’s not entirely wrong. Power isn’t everything. Schale’s connections are incredible. I think that’s what the Captain was really after. Right, Shio?"

"…My intel says the same."

They ran toward the Old Cathedral, their pace unrelenting. Gradually, the range of Mayumi’s light beam ended, and the landscape shifted back into the familiar streets of the Arius District.

Then, as their feet touched that ground—

"…They’re here. The Council of Saints."

Beatrice’s voice carried the warning. In an instant, countless Council members materialized—far more than before, likely drawn from the forces previously engaged with Mayumi’s team.

"T-This is bad...! There’s way too many of them...!"

"It’s fine. The squad leaders are all here. As long as we focus on escaping, we’ll be okay."

This battle was a race against time. Would Beatrice complete the ritual first, offering Suou—or her corpse—as a sacrifice? Or would Saori’s team reach the Old Cathedral in time? Everyone understood the stakes.

"Whatever! I’ll just smash through!! That’ll solve everything!!"

"W-Wait, First Squad Leader!!"

Before anyone could stop her, Saori charged forward. Rei and Yose followed, weapons at the ready.

"...Huh? Wha—!?"

But then, an abnormal Saint appeared—and in an instant, sent Saori flying.

"First Squad Leader!"

Rei and Yose rushed to intercept.

"Don’t worry!! I blocked it—barely!! But...!"

The Saint wore a skull-faced gas mask and a restraining suit, pale white hair shimmering under the dim light.

"Th-That’s... Barbara...!! So she’s been completed...!"

"Barbara...?"

"One of the greatest Saints of the Justina Council of Saints. But right now, that’s not really the point."

Barbara raised her weapons—a machine gun and a launcher. The faint click of a trigger echoed through the air. Just that small sound.

Seconds later—

"Urgh...!"

"Uwaaah!?"

Rei and Yose—two of the highest-ranking squad leaders—were knocked aside like insects, temporarily incapacitated.

"What matters is that among all Saints in Justina’s history... she was undeniably the strongest. And now—she’s been enhanced, rebuilt, and perfected..."

"…!"

That alone made the situation dire. And yet, to make matters worse—

"Even the Ambrosius units...!"

Four Ambrosius were summoned. Fewer than before, but each still radiated terrifying power.

"Hey, hey, Sau-chan… which one’s stronger, her or the Squad Leader…?"

"No idea. But if that thing can resurrect just like the usual Justina Council of Saints… then there’s no point even comparing."

Standing in their way were Misono Mika and Kenzaki Tsurugi. Alongside them stood the equally skilled Kirihana Suou. Above even them in sheer combat ability was the great Saint, Barbara. Then came the failed artificial angel, Ambrosius. And finally—the immortal army known as the Justina Council of Saints.

Each one of them alone would have been a nightmare to face. Yet now, they were all gathered in a single place. Any thought of victory… that fleeting hope brushed across someone’s mind.

"Everyone, get your weapons ready!! Sau, Rei, Yose!! You three take Barbara!!"

Sensei’s sharp command shattered that hesitation in an instant.

"You gotta be kidding me…"

"Shio, Hifumi, Hanako, Koharu! You handle the Council! Everyone else—deal with Ambrosius!!"

They looked into Sensei’s eyes. Even as he stared into his tablet, there wasn’t a trace of despair there. He believed in their victory—without the slightest hint of doubt.

"We’ve come this far! Just one last push! Let’s go meet Suou!"

"Heh… hahahaha!! I like that! You’re just like that idiot Squad Leader!!"

Those eyes… they were exactly the same. The eyes of the one they’d all met before.

The one who told them never to give up, who insisted that nothing they did was meaningless. Always spouting pretty words about hope—and yet, somehow, making them believe again.

Even now, when she was trying to sacrifice herself against her own ideals.

"But that choice is the wrong one… am I right, everyone?"

With that, Sau turned to face the sub-leaders behind her.

"Yeah… we’re not that weak anymore…"

"Don’t underestimate us! We were personally trained by the Squad Leader, after all!"

"That’s only true for you, Rei… Still, the Squad Leader promised not to die so easily. So let’s trust her—and wait."

"What do you mean—"

"It means we can handle this on our own. And besides, we’re short on time."

Even if it was only to save her. Even if it was just because she once stood beside them. That alone filled them with strength—and with hope.

"Our Squad Leader… we never knew she was carrying all that pain. She always smiled like it was nothing… and I know how hard that really is."

The sub-leaders raised their guns, aiming at Barbara. Even if only for a brief moment—they would carve open a path.

"Squad… I hate to admit it, but I’ll leave this to you. We, the sub-leaders, will handle things here."

Unusually serious, Shio met their eyes.

"Please… save our precious big sister!"

"Count on us. That stubborn idiot—we’ll drag her back if we have to."

"Wait!! What do you mean drag her back!?"

"Figure of speech."

The exchange ended on a strangely light note—but the trust in their voices was unmistakable.

"Still… this is gonna be rough, no matter how you slice it…"

"In that case, we’ll take on the Council."

It was Hanako and the others from the Supplementary Lessons Department who responded to that quiet admission.

"Well… we did promise to help, so… fine!"

"I-I’m sure we’ll be clumsy, but please count on us…!"

"Heh. Reliable backup, huh? Shio, go give them a hand."

"Don’t give me orders!"

With the Council as their enemy, the Supplementary Lessons Department could more than hold their own. But that meant one thing—

"Hifumi…"

It was time for her to part ways with Azusa, even if only for a while.

"Azusa-chan… promise me this time, okay? You’ll come back safe—and then we’ll go see the ocean together! Promise!! And if possible… let’s bring everyone from Arius too!"

But this time, they’d already overcome it. Not a single one of them doubted it anymore—they believed.

"Yeah. I promise. I’ll come back safe, no matter what."

"You’d better!! If you disappear again, I’m not forgiving you!!"

"Please, take care of yourself, Azusa-chan."

To rescue Kirihana Suou. To return alive. Two promises—two heavy burdens—entrusted to her by so many hearts, so many friends.

"Hifumi!! Koharu!! Hanako!!"

And yet, somehow—Azusa didn’t feel burdened by any of it. If anything…

"I'm heading out!!"

…it felt like those feelings were flowing through her body, giving her the strength to move forward.

"Yeah! See you soon!"

The reply was simple. There was no need for more words. They met each other’s eyes, spoke from the same place, and trusted one another completely.

"Let’s move out, Squad!"

"Right!"

With that trust at their backs, they pressed onward.

Leaving Barbara, Ambrosius, and the Council of Saints to the others, the Squad and Sensei made their way toward the Old Cathedral. The path Mayumi had cleared for them had ended, and ahead lay a tangled maze of corridors.

"The Council’s resources should be nearly depleted… As long as the sub-leaders—and Azusa’s friends—can hold them off, we’ll be fine."

No pursuit came from the Council. Some faculty members appeared along the way, but they were easily dealt with.

Traps were scattered along the route, yet they pushed through with minimal damage. They already understood their mechanisms—enough to minimize the impact and keep moving.

However, one particular problem remained.

"…These traps."

"Yeah… they weren’t set by Beatrice."

There was a clear intent behind them—someone didn’t want anyone getting through. And that structure… it was familiar.

"Wait, these are…!"

"…Probably Suou’s work."

A series of explosions echoed faintly in the distance. The kind of bizarre, unorthodox tactics only she would use—unmistakably hers.

"She’s close."

Judging from the traces, the traps had been laid only moments ago.

"Y-You there!! Squad, is it?!"

While analyzing the scene, a group of faculty members spotted them.

"Tch…!"

In such a cramped space, there was no avoiding a fight. Moving first was their only chance. They lunged forward—

"Don’t you dare… lay a hand on my sister…!"

White hair. No longer wearing her usual inner combat gear, but instead a hooded coat. And that voice—calling someone her sister, with a tone twisted by obsession.

"Suou!!"

Azusa’s voice broke out, filled with a swirl of emotions too tangled to name. She called that familiar name—one she’d said countless times before.

"…"

But the reaction she got in return was nothing like before.

"…Why did you come here?"

"…What…!?"

From Suou came something Azusa had never felt directed at her before—hostility. And anger.