Vol 3 - 2 : Paradise Paradox

14

• Arius convinced Mika to place me at Trinity under the guise of reconciling relations between our two academies. They must have targeted her because of her inexperience and naivety. Mika isn't nearly as politically adept as Nagisa. They may have even planned to pin the blame on her after the deed was done.
• You've been telling Arius what they want to hear
• She didn't even make excuses or become defensive when I pushed her buttons.
• Why not join us, Urawa. We're the only ones who can keep the Tea Party in check.
• Be ready, Hanako. There will almost certainly be a seat open for you at the Tea Party next year
• She found Trinity General School to be a place replete with deception, prejudice and hypocrisy.
• A member of the Justice Task Force, a guerrilla warfare expert, a seemingly average student favored by the Tea Party, and me, someone who knows everything there is to know about Trinity. And to top it off, we have Sensei : the ever-capable leader of Schale. With a lineup like this, we could overthrow Trinity in half a day.

15 : Lighting the Fuse

• Are you asking how I knew you'd be at this particular safe house? That's because I know the rotation order of all 87 panic rooms used by the Tea Party. I also know about the measures that fall just outside of the regulations too, like how you like to hide in this secret penthouse of yours when you're especially nervous.
• She took an entire 5.56mm round magazine point blank. She'll be out for at least another hour
  • 5.56x44 NATO round intermediate cartridge : M16 & M4 (US standard issue rifles), AR-15 (civilian version of M16/M4), Steyr AUG (Austrian bullpup assault rifle), FN F2000 (Belgian bullpup), HK33 & HK54,(german assault rifles), SIG SG 550 & SG 556 (Swiss assault rifle), Galil (israeli assault rifle).
• I set traps and dug trenches around the academy every night. I'll lure them there and use the terrain to my advantage to buy time.
• Where is the spy we were supposed to make contact with?!

16 : A Fearsome Clash

• We can no longer consider this an assassination mission. We're at war with Trinity.
  • Claymore mines : Directional anti-personnel mine that is named after the Scottish sword of the same name. It consists of a curved rectangular plastic case that contains a layer of C-4 explosive and approximately 700 steel ball bearings. It also has a built-in aiming sight, a triggering mechanism, and two electrical leads that are used to set off the explosive charge. When this mine is detonated, the explosive charge propels the steel ball bearings in a fan-shaped pattern in front of the mine, creating a lethal cone of fire that can hit targets up to 100 meters away. Its effectiveness is maximized when it is placed on elevated position. It has been used by many militaries around the world since the 1960s.
• That bag was an IED!
  • Improvised Explosive Device, a homemade explosive device. IEDs are often made from readily available materials such as fertilizer, gasoline or propane, they can be constructed relatively easily and cheaply. They can also be disguised to look like everyday objects such as trash cans, water bottles, or even toys, making them difficult to detect.
• How long can you hold out with just four of you? This will be your tomb!
• battle

17 : The Way of the World

• Arius' reinforcements will arrive soon. Our objective is to buy time until then. We need to hold out until the Justice Task Force intervenes.
• I-I've already contacted Hasumi! She should respond soon!
• Good job. The Justice Task Force is still under the Tea Party's direct command, so this was the only way to get them to move from their post. Hasumi should have noticed that Nagisa has gone missing by now. I just hope they arrive in time.
• Reinforcements.. They're here already?
• This is more like an army than a reinforcement unit. Half of the satellite school's roster must be there.
• Th-They've sent this many forces into Trinity territory?
• And still no sign of the Justice Task Force
• Of course there isn't.
• You've been surrounded by the armed force that will replace them as Trinity's official army. The Justice Task Force won't be moving from their post. My orders. I've removed every obstacle in my way. I've given stand down orders to anyone and everyone under the Tea Party's command. I wouldn't want anyone to interfere with our assault on Nagi.
• You can consider me to be Trinity's true traitor.
• Won't you tell me where you've hid Nagi? I don't have much time. Or we can always eliminate all of you and search this place top to bottom the hard way.
• Hmm? You want to know why I'm doing this, Sensei? Because I hate Gehenna. I sincerely loathe Gehenna Academy from the depths of my heart.
• Then was your real objective to stop the Eden Treaty from being signed? That's why you're targeting Nagisa.
• Nagi's Eden Treaty idea was completely ridiculous. Ludicrous. A peace treaty with those wretches? Just the thought of coexisting with them makes my skin crawl. And how long would that last? How many years -- weeks --, no. DAYS until end up with a knife in our back. I simply can't allow something like that to happen.
• So hand her over. I promise not to kill her. She may have to spend the rest of her school life in confinement, but it won't be so bad.
• "So the Eden Treaty was a peace treaty after all."
• Oh, that. Yes. I'm sorry for deceiving you, Sensei. Someone as ignorant and naive as Nagi would never think to use the Eden Treaty to create a military alliance under her control. But not everything was a lie, Sensei. I was telling the truth about reconciling with Arius. As I told you, Arius was once one of us : an academy that would have otherwise joined the Trinity union. Of course they hate Gehenna -- they always have. Theirs is an academy held together by animosity. That's why I extended an olive branch to them. I offered them the opportunity to stop a villain aiming to welcome Gehenna with open arms. I said that if the current host, Kirifuji Nagisa, has the Justice Task Force by her side now, then the next host, Misono Mika, will have Arius beside hers.
• Nagi will be overthrown and I will become the host of the Tea Party, yes. You have my gratitude, Asuza. I owe you such a great debt.. for taking the fall as the assailant who attacked Nagi. You'll be the scapegoat. We need someone to take the responsibility. Because otherwise, how will the public rest until the perpetrator is brought to justice?
• You really did surprise me, though. I thought all of my planning was going to be thwarted when I first heard Nagi had been attacked. You forced my hand, and I had to come handle this personally. I wasn't expecting such a bold move from the Make-Up Work Club. Well done.
• "You did all of this to become the host of the Tea Party?"
• That's right. Oh, but don't be mistaken, Sensei. This isn't about seizing power for the sake of being powerful. I simply want to erase Gehenna from Kivotos. That's all. I'm going to purge Trinity of all the moderates and idealists that agreed with Nagi and fill their seats with leaders from Arius. And then! The newly remade Trinity will declare all-out war on Gehenna! That's the plan!
• "That's enough!"
• H-Hey, don't scare me like that. I've never heard you raise your voice like that. I guess you weren't a fan of my explanation, huh?
• battle
• Seia would prattle on every day about nonsense like paradise and whatnot.
• Destroying her halo wasn't part of the plan, though. Give me a little credit. I'm not a murderer. I was just going to keep her under lock and key until she graduated, but the raid team, rascals they were, let things get out of hand and went a little too far.
• Isn't that right, Azusa? You were part of the raid team that killed Seia, weren't you? Care to clear up this misunderstanding? It's all because of that little mishap that things have gotten out of hand like this. Get it? I can't turn back now because of that, because of you.
• A group of students are breaching from the outside!
• That's impossible. There shouldn't be any students left on campus who would dare oppose the Tea Party's orders.
• I can think of one. An independent organization that doesn't bow to the Tea Party or anyone else for that matter.
• It's the Sisterhood!

18 : The Way of the World (2)

• Hahaha! This is my first time fighting the Sisterhood! So is this the trump card you've had up your sleeve? Just how did you manage to get them involved, Hanako? I knew you were acquainted with them at one point, just as you were with everyone. What did you offer in return, I wonder. These interlopers wouldn't lift a finger unless they stood to gain something from it.
• I did eventually decide to take someone up on their offer and made a pact of my own.
• We've decided to break our customs and involve ourselves with the Tea Party's internal struggle.
• Misono Mika of the Tea Party. You are under arrest for attempting and instigating harm to your fellow Tea Party members.
• I planned to clean out the cathedral when I became host anyway. This just saves me some time.
• battle
• I overlooked the biggest variable of all. Involving Schale and Sensei was the cause of my downfall. It was only meant to be a precautionary measure. Nagi was making such a fuss about there being a traitor, and I thought it was a good solution.
• It was an accident. Seia was weak to start off with and..
• Seia is alive, Mika! We just made it look like she died. She was secretly taken from Trinity and put into hiding as a precaution, since we couldn't find her assailant. Her wounds haven't completely healed yet and she remains unconscious, but the head of the Remedial Knights continues to look after her.
• You understand what the consequences of these actions will be for you, don't you, Azusa? I hope you don't think Trinity will protect you. You'll be hunted down no matter where you run. Forever. There will never be another peaceful night's sleep. There's no escaping Saori.

19 : The Third Exam

• I-I nearly passed out there.
• I'm not surprised. We've been running around all night.
• It's 7:50 right now.
• W-Wait! Will we make it all the way to the outskirts even if we run?!
• But I can barely move my legs! Waaait!

20 : Epilogue

• Hanako seems to have found a place where she belongs, so she shouldn't have any reason to drop out of school.

Vol 3 - 3 : Our Stories

• The time to sign the Eden Treaty has finally come, and little by little, small cracks begin to form in everyone's daily lives. Each story begins to converge as catastrophe looms.
  • Eden is a biblical term that referes to the Garden of Eden, which is described in the Book of Genesis where God created Adam and Even and where they lived before they were banished. The word "Eden" originates from the Hebrew language and appears in the Old Testament of the Bible. In Hebrew, the word is spelled "עֵדֶן" and pronounced "eh-den." Its precise meaning is uncertain, but it is generally believed to be related to the Hebrew word "eden," which means "delight" or "pleasure.

1 : Postmortem

• I've been waiting for you, Arius Satellite School's Shirasu Azusa.
• Yes. All of this already came to me in a dream. You can think of it like a 'prophetic dream'. I have them often, dreams that become reality. As well as ones that are indistinguishable from reality.
• Does that mean you know what I'm going to do now?
• Yes. You're here to destroy my halo. Others joined you on this mission, but you're the only one who made it this far. You're quite talented, Azusa.
• Death isn't common in Kivotos, but it's not entirely devoid of it either. Invisible, yet clearly always with us. There's no doubt that each of us are living things.
• Have you ever destroyed a halo before?
• No, but I know how to.. I've been taught. A halo will shatter if they're wounded gravely enough, over and over. A student in Kivotos could be shot with a dozen of 5.56mm rounds and it still wouldn't cause a fatal wound.
• Are you truly prepared to become a murderer, Azusa? I've seen it before. How afraid you are.
• Yet, from what I've seen, you're a living contradiction. You simultaneously place faith in these words but don't believe them. It's what you were thinking to yourself as you gazed upon that flower. "Even if everything is in vain.. I must continue struggling."
• You didn't come here to kill me. You came to seek advice. Advice about your struggle.
• As I understand it, you've been volunteering to deal with the aftermath of that incident.
• I'm an adult. Someone has to take responsibility.
• Seia's recovery room was destroyed at roughtly 3 AM on the night of the attack.
• Her wounds from the explosion have healed.
• Hanako asked for my help in persuading Sakurako
• As much as I'd like to request that you agree to join the Sisterhood, that wouldn't be fair. I would basically be coercing you.
• We've decided to change our non-interventionism policy after this most recent incident. The Sisterhood will be more involved in Trinity's politics than before -- at least for the foreseeable future. There are sure to be a lot of... growing pains in that regard, and having the help of someone as talented as you could help alleviate them.
• I suppose I can do that..
• "I think Hanako should reserve the right to say 'no' when she wants to."
• So that's it. Yes, I can agree to that. We should count ourselves fortunate that you're willing to help at all. I won't push my luck by asking you to do any more than you're comfortable with.
• Okay, getting serious.. We already know the one who attacked Seia was our little Azusa. Seia's room was destroyed at 3AM on the night of the attack, but records indicate the infiltration should have been around 2AM. Meaning the intruder, Azusa, was with Seia for about an hour.

2 : Postmortem (2)

• This is what Seia said. If the long-standing dispute between Gehenna and Trinity can be resolved through the Eden Treaty, then perhaps Arius' troubles can be addressed next. She also said the treaty was the only way to solve Trinity's deep-rooted issues. And if Arius succeeded in destroying the Tea Party's halos, then war would break out in Kivotos. Seia asked if that was I truly wanted.
• If you wish to continue struggling in the face of catastrophe then I will help. I'll lend you my wisdom. Though I can make no promises about where it will lead you.
• And then you destroyed the room?
• It was necessary to stage Seia's death. Arius needed to be deceived as well. Seia personally chose the Remedial Knights' captain to lead the cover up. I fled after the room was destroyed. Once the dust settled and intel about the incident began to spread, Squad was under impression that I succeeded.
• Do you claim to be unaware that the plan to attack Seia was originally devised by Mika?
• Mika had completely obfuscated her involvement. There would have no way for a foot soldier like Azusa to know.
• I understand that. It's simply my job to ask questions like these.
• The one who gave me my orders was Joumae Saori, the leader of Squad.
• Sakurako : "Shirasu Azusa then transferred to Trinity with the covert objective of protecting Nagisa. Along the way, she and the Make-Up Work Club even passed their evaluation exam. I can't find any fault with her. Therefore, I will take responsibility and authenticate her documents. No one should have any objections to her enrollment with the Sisterhood vouching for her."
• Nagisa -> Hifumi : "I could hardly blame you for grabbing a cup of tea and pouring it over my head right now, considering everything I've put you through. To think I had you pegged as the leader of a masked criminal organization. That couldn't possibly be true. I don't know why I though such nonsense. I completely understand if you choose not to forgive me. In fact, I don't expect you to."
• Nagisa has also been meeting with others to issue proper apologies for everything that happened. She even gave one to me, and I told her I was sorry for being such a troublemaker.
• But Nagisa and Mika were supposed to be childhood friends.

3 : Postmortem (3)

• Is Arius really a big deal anymore? They don't have access to more troops, weapons, or supplies without me backing them.
• And for what? Because you hate Gehenna? You were willing to kill a friend you've known for most of your life over something as petty as that?
• I was terrified when word of Seia's supposed death reached me. I couldn't help but think I was next. She's the wisest of us and even has prophetic dreams that she's used to her advantage. No one at Trinity is more dangerous than her. That's why she was targeted first. And given your... political prowess, I assumed I was next.
• Or that Big Sister from Millenium? Perhaps the tyrant from Red Winter? Or maybe the dark monarch of Shanhaijing?
• Because we're strangers at the end of the day. We've put up so many walls between us that there's no way we could ever truly know one another.
• What I don't know is who goaded you into that decision or why you ultimately teamed with Arius to become the new host.
• I was under the impression there really was a traitor out there, but I didn't think she would reveal herself then and there. After all, that would mean throwing away her biggest advantage : anonymity. No strategist would choose to do that. It doesn't make any sense... unless you were afraid that Arius was going to kill Nagisa too.
• I may be despicable, but you're downright cruel, Hanako.
• You're proposing that she approached Arius in the hope of reconciling, but all they did was take advantage of her. They used her hatred of Gehenna against her.
• How can you prove someone else's sincerity?
• In this analogy, paradise would be the sincerity of others. We can't prove the sincerity it holds, just as we can't prove anyone has ever reached paradise. There's no point in trying to prove the impossible. That's why you have to have faith. You have to believe in paradise, and you have to put trust in others.

4 : What Comes Next

• (Koharu is sick)
• I've been saddled with taking care of Sisterhood's paperwork
• I've been so busy preparing for the treaty. Though things may finally slow down for her once the Eden Treaty is signed.
• Hina : "I would expect more transparency if you were dealing with an academy like Abydos again, but I'm sure you had your reasons given this is Trinity we're discussing."
• "Have you told Ako about your plans to retire?"

5 : Eden Treaty Signing Ceremony

• Public approval of the General Student Council is plummeting. What are your thoughts on this?
• Is there a relationship between the decision to close the SRT Academy and the previous riot at Sanctum Tower?

6 : Eden Treaty Signing Ceremony (2)

7 : Day of Fire and Ash

• Could that have been a cruise missile? At speeds too fast for anti-air defense to intercept? Was it using a ramjet engine? But the only place in Kivotos with that kind of tech...
  • A cruise missile is a guided missile that is designed to fly at low altitudes and at subsonic or supersonic speeds over long distances to deliver a payload to a specific target. It is typically self-navigating, relying on on-board computers, sensors, and GPS to steer itself to the target.
  • A ramjet engine is a type of air-breathing jet engine that uses the vehicle's forward motion to compress incoming air without relying on a compressor fan. It is sometimes referred to as a "scramjet" (supersonic combustion ramjet) engine when it operates at supersonic speeds. Unlike traditional jet engines, which use turbines to compress air before mixing it with fuel and burning it in the combustion chamber, a ramjet engine relies on the forward motion of the vehicle to compress air for combustion. The basic design of a ramjet engine consists of an inlet, a combustion chamber, and a nozzle. Air enters the engine through the inlet and is compressed by the vehicle's forward motion. The compressed air is then mixed with fuel and ignited in the combustion chamber, where it expands rapidly and generates thrust. The hot gases are then expelled through the nozzle at the rear of the engine, providing forward propulsion for the vehicle. Ramjet engines are relatively simple in design and have no moving parts, which makes them lightweight and low-cost compared to other jet engines. However, they are not self-starting and require the vehicle to already be traveling at high speeds in order to operate.
• That's why I've been colluding with Trinity's bitter enemy Arius this whole time! I knew everything from the very beginning. From the Tea Party's internal struggles to the coup d'etat. All of it has been building toward today!
• How long have you been conspiring this? That would mean.. you never intended to sign the Eden Treaty in the first place.
• That's right! I never had any interest in it. All I've cared about is disposing of the interlopers in my way! I only agreed to it to draw those Tea Party vermin out of their holes. And why not finally rid myself of Hina while I'm at it? Arius was so generous to offer their support. In fact, they're the ones who paid for this reinforced blimp.
• Makoto.. you understand that Arius hates Gehenna even more than they hate Trinity, correct? Why would they ever agree to cooperate with us?
• THEY DO?!
• Which makes those containers over there that say "flammable" and "handle with care" on them all the more suspicious.
• battle

14 : A Light in the Darkness

• The Council will only intervene in a conflict between Trinity and Gehenna. They may not acknowledge Azusa as a Trinity student. Just as the commandments themselves are up to interpretation. It's only natural that the position we've gained would have some disadvantages.
• The scriptures say the first murder was carried out with but a single stone. Now do you get it? It doesn't matter what tool you use, so long as you have the intent to kill. That is what matters. Whether it's a missile or a stone, they're only tools to carry out our own animosity. Nothing more, nothing less.
• That hatred was only instilled into me at Arius. So where does it come from? Whose is it?
• I'm holding back. I know her limits.
• bombed

15 : In Response to the Fifth Koan

• The climax to a story where one person is forced to kill anohter. It's a story meant to make you uncomfortable, uneasy, and leave you unhappy.
• "You don't know what happens next either, do you? That's why you're hiding in your dreams and won't wake up. It was nice seeing you, but I have to go."
• Stop. Unlike me, your body hasn't fully recovered.

16 : Bits and Pieces

• The royal blood's strength has weakened.. Could she be dead? I can't have my experiments disrupted. The Communio Sanctorum is not yet ready.
• Per Trinity bylaws, war cannot be declared without a proper Tea Party host.
• It's kind of pathetic! Barging in here, appealing to my hatred, pleading with me to do your dirty work! Can't you see how funny it is??!
• Did I stutter? I'm telling you it's stupid to need someone else to order you to carry out your own hate.
• (Koharu saves Mika. Sensei wakes up)

17 : The Embodiment of Hate

• .. but what if we went to their district and told them we want to be friends? Then we could invite them over for tea and it would be like the good old days! I think it's a pretty good plan! That's what I would do if I were the host!
• Trinity would only become more powerful if Arius agreed, which could incite a war. Is that what you want?
• I hadn't really thought about it, but that could be fun! Maybe we could finally wipe out Gehenna. Isn't that what everyone wants.
• Seia's dead? But how? Why? This isn't how things were supposed to go. Wait. Why did I do that? Why did I order an attack on Seia? Why did I want her out of the way? Oh, right. I wanted to be the host. Of course. Because I hate Gehenna so much, and Nagi is trying to force that treaty down our throats.
• Koharu : "I might be stupid. But I know this is wrong"
• Sensei : "I'll take from here"

18 : Without a Moment's Hesitation

• Chinatsu : "B-But I'm part of the Prefect Team now"
• The door is always open for you to return to the Medical Emergency Club.
• Sometimes friends have to speak their minds to one another
• Gathering people, persuading them, communicating, understanding.. Sensei is trying to unite students of Trinity and Gehenna after they've been torn apart yet again.

19 : Our Stories

• Now do you see? This taiyaki bag strikes even more fear into people's hearts than your gas mask does! Behind it lies terror that you can't comprehend!
• You don't have to do this. Wearing a paper bag on your head and making up a fake gang won't..
• Who are you calling fake?!
• So they DO exist..
• I thought they were just an urban legend, but they're real.
• "I can't be like Takanashi Hoshino. I'm not strong. Not like she is. She was the one who found the body of Abydos' student council president. I'm sure that must have been hard for her. But even after suffering through so much, she's still at Abydos, fighting.. I could never do something like that."
• I didn't mean it deep down. I was trying to be spoiled for once.
• Hifumi : "I meant what I said, Azusa. I'm still upset with you."
• Could it be? A renewal of the commandments?
• I hereby declare us, the TRUE Eden Treaty Organization.
• The General Student Council president was originally meant to be the Eden Treaty's mediator. The same president that established Schale and granted it extrajudicial authority. By doing this, you're having Schale act in the General Student Council president's stead. Is that how you've interpreted your role in the Eden Treaty? Just as Arius interpreted it by asserting their authority even after sitting out of the First Council.
• All of the relevant parties to the Eden Treaty have gathered. Gehenna, the Tea Party, the Justice Task Force, the Prefect Team. Here, atop the remains where the old cathedral once stood.
• You've distorted and misconstrued the contract to fit your desires. Fire with fire, an eye for an eye. They ruthlessly took control, so you took it right back -- just as an adult would. How interesting.

20 : The Name of Paradise

• battle

21 : The Name of Paradise (2)

• battle

22 : The Name of Paradise (3)

• battle

23 : Below the Old Cathedral

• battle

24 : Hatred That is Not Our Own

• The hatred we've carried for so long... is not our own. It was never ours from the beginning. It was instilled into us, and we falsely accepted it as ours.
• Intelligence and dignity. Courtesy and conviction. Experience and wisdom. All admirable qualities. You're the one who holds the answer to the sublime which I seek!
• So this is the card I've heard so much about! Power gained in exchange for your life and time. An incomprehensible force with origins and limitations even we can't understand! I wonder what Golconde would have called it... He'd probably say that it requires metacognition to understand it.Very well. Show me, Sensei. Show me the price you have paid. Show me power worth pawning your life over! Respond to my work with all your might!
• ((hiero stuck))

Vol 4 - 1 : Rabbit Squad, Begin Operation!

2 : Uninvited Guest in the Park

• Our goal is to garner an advantage in negotiations through combat. Not long-term guerrilla warfare.
• "compass point is 0-3-0"
  • From north, 30 degrees to right. (0-3-0) -> 030 degrees clockwise from north.
• "Hm. The legendary Schale sensei. Trusted by all, stepping in and waving their extrajudical authority like a magic wand to solve any problem. It's grown-ups like you I can't stand the most. I hope you trip and stub your toe.
• The Valkyrie Police School would normally be the one to issue the punishment, but.. With all the commotion and reporters, the GSC's reputation is at stake now. I expect the chief of defense will step in.

3 : The Squad's Circumstances

• Was that a threat? Is that the extent of your interrogation skills? Pfft. SRT Academy students deal with highly confidential information regularly! We're well trained in dealing with interrogations and torture! So, do your worst!
• Everyone mixes politics and justice. And so justice becomes a sword they wield for their own self-interests.
• Miyako : "It's these principles that made me love SRT Special Academy, ever since I was little."

4 : Chief of Staff's Circumstances

• Things have been unstable since the GSC President disappeared. Uncertainty, political unrest, the whole shebang. If it weren't for Schale stepping up to fill the hole, I certainly would be as busy as you think. So I'll have to thank you again for all you've done.
• The Valkyrie Police School students are under the Defense Office's command.
• That entire explanation I just gave of our organization structure? None of it applies to the SRT Academy.
• The SRT Academy was intended to be kind of like you, actually. An extrajudical force that can take action against criminals regardless of where they are. Naturally, with the approval of the GSC president.
• The president was gone, and so was the person responsible for the SRT Academy and all its operations. I would like to say no one wanted to take charge of the highly-trained, incredibly well-armed students. But it was like no one could. Our Defense Office was put in charge of the SRT students at first, but our attempts were restricted because of their state-of-the-art equipment. And in the end, the SRT Special Academy was reduced to an empty shell.
• "I don't feel like that's a good enough reason to close it down."
• Most executives wanted to maintain the SRT Academy for when the GSC president hopefully returned. I was among those. But.. Well.. You see, the FOX Squad members realized that their existence was being threatened. They weren't the type to stand idly by while we dismantled their way of living.
• Until just last month, the SRT students were still armed with all of their advanced equipment. Hearing wind of plans to shut the school, the FOX Squad armed themselves, attacked the GSC, targeting a few of the loudest voices against them, and then disappeared. Not only were some of the Sanctum Tower's facilities burned down, but many student council members were seriously injured and hospitalized.
• That was when the senior administrator stepped in. She ordered the full closure of the SRT Academy and immediate retrieval of all weapons. But before we could do so, the RABBIT Squad ran away, taking the weapons with them.
• You won't find a single sympathetic soul in the GSC right now.
• Sensei, I hear you really care about all your students. To lose such talented students.. It would be a loss to all of Kivotos. The end of my long monologue comes to this. Can you convince the RABBIT Squad members to transfer to the Vakyrie Police School? If they agree to transfer, I'll convince the other chiefs of staff not to expel them.
• "I don't know if I can. I can't force them down a path they don't want."
• I suppose the rumors about you were true, Sensei. Well, I suppose I never agreed with forcing them out either. How would I look the President in the eye when she comes back?
• Sensei, the Defense Office will gladly cooperate with you. I'd like to see the happy ending you envision. Please, guide the students to their dreams. Instead of the Disciplinary Council, I'll let you decide the Rabbit Squad's fate. Send them wherever they want to go, keep them in Schale. Whatever you want. Well, unless what you want is to reopen the SRT Academy. My influence has its limits.

5 : Unresolved Distrust

• What is your order, Sensei?
• What do you want your order to be? Why don't you rest at the Schale dorms for a while?
• Our mission from the beginning has been to resist the GSC's decision to shut down the SRT Academy. Seeking comfort in the Schale dorms would negate all our actions. And where at Schale would we continue or regular training?

6 : Food Delivery Operation

• The next morning, I went to the park to check on how the RABBIT Squad was doing.
• Nada, Zero, Zilch!
• Th-there are some shops around, but our student accounts were suspended so we have no money.
• We don't know what Sensei's true motivations are. Don't be fooled by their supposed kindness.
• I really just don't want you to starve to death.
• (Open the instant cup ramen.)
• Wh-What are you dong?
• (Add boiling water and wait three minutes.)
• Urgh...
• Is this a new form of t-torture?
• Wh-Where's the food? Saki, catch me. I think I'm gonna faint from hunger.
• Is this our lives now? Begging for food like stray dogs, never knowing the sweet comfort of a home-cooked meal..
• Sensei.. I will never, ever forget this insult. Never.

7 : Operation Carrot

• Yakiniku : beef, soy sauce, (mirin+sake), sugar, sesame oil, garlic, green onion. marinade liquid -> beef -> grill
• Shogayaki : pork/beef, soy sauce, (mirin+sake), sugar, grated ginger, vegetable oil, green onions. marinade liquid -> beef -> fry
• Vienna sausage : ground beef, ground pork, salt, garlic, onion, paprika, black pepper, allspice, coriander, thyme, mace, nutmeg, ice water
• Karaage : chicken, soy sauce, sake, grated ginger, garlic, sugar, potato/corn starch, vetegable oil, lemon wedges. marinate; starch add; fry
• We're not even certain where our next meal is going to come from right now.
• (shoots) Stop inching closer. Or I won't miss next time.
• "Why is everyone so on edge?"
• It's because... of the smell..
• "I shower every day! I promise!"
• N-No! It's not that, Sensei!
• "Out of everything, this might've hurt my feelings the most."
• If we can't even buy food, how are we meant to afford public baths?
• Having to rough it out is par for the course during operations. But it's not sustainable in the long run..

8 : Operation Carrot (2)

• 2100 hours
• Based on our intel, the empty drum barrels here are already scheduled for disposal. We won't cost them any money. In fact, we negate their disposal costs and labor.
• We are elite members of the SRT Academy and we will not accept some stupid industrial company's charity!
• Do NOT engage
• Please refer to my codename during missions. This is basic protocol.
• Geez. Boss made me drink too much at dinner again.. I need to go to the bathroom.
• There's not supposed to be a patrol route this way!
• He's looking for the bathroom! This wasn't in the plans.
• S-Saki! He's coming towards me! Wh-Wh-What do I do? I suck at hand-to-hand stuff. Can I run away?
• S-So.. Um.. Up! Take the high ground! Get as high as you can!
• battle
• The phrase "follow orders to a T" means to obey instructions or commands exactly, without making any changes or deviations. This phrase is often used in military, law enforcement, or other hierarchical organizations where strict adherence to orders is essential for the success of a mission or operation. It emphasizes the importance of following instructions precisely and without interpretation, as even a small deviation could have serious consequences. The phrase can also be used more broadly to describe any situation where it is important to follow instructions precisely, such as in cooking or construction. It emphasizes the importance of attention to detail and the need for precision in order to achieve the desired result.
• Thermite is a mixture of a metal powder, usually aluminum, and a metal oxide, such as iron oxide or copper oxide. When ignited, thermite undergoes a highly exothermic reaction in which the metal oxide is reduced and the metal powder is oxidized, releasing a large amount of heat and producing molten metal (2 Al + Fe2O3 → 2 Fe + Al2O3 + heat (2500C)). Thermite is often used in welding applications, where it can be used to join or repair metal parts that are difficult to weld using other methods. It is also used in cutting applications, where it can be used to cut through large sections of metal quickly and efficiently. In addition, thermite can be used in incendiary devices, such as grenades or bombs, to produce intense heat and flames.

9 : A Suspicious Shadow

• Croquette : potato, ham, butter, milk, parmesan cheese, onion, salt, pepper, flour, eggs, breadcrumbs, vegetable oil. mash potato+ham+flavoring, refrigerate, flour+egg+bread, deep fry.

10 : Non-Possession and Yakiniku Bentos

• Loot? LOOT?! That's my STUFF.

11 : Heavy Rain Advisory

• There's not much shelter at the park, not even a building for them to hide in.
• We can't keep up our little game of pretend forever. How did we end up here? When did our duties become to scavenge for food and steal empty drum barrels so we can shower?! We were better than this! We used to debate the intricacies of justice and bring down felons! Now.. Now we're fighting over expired bentos with hobos.
• The current is so strong.. I don't know how long I've been working... I can't feel my hands and feet. Maybe they were right. Maybe I am a fool.
• Perhaps it was the manual labor in the rain, but I ended up having chills and aches for a few days after.

12 : Heavy Rain Advisory

• Your silence speaks volumes.
• It isn't my place to criticize you, Sensei. The Schale organization is structured in a way that I couldn't even I wished.
• "Because they've taken over a public park for citizens?"
• Hardly. It's a remote park with very few visitors. It would have been demolished at one point down the road regardless.
• The SRT Academy was at one point granted special immunity from the president of the GSC to maximize their effectiveness. But privileges should only be granted when it serves a purpose. With no purpose, privilege is dangerous. You're already well aware of how the SRT Academy is perceived by most of the GSC. They fear them. And now you would like to house and arm these students who, in all technicality, are still in open rebellion?
• I met with every single chief of staff to enlist help. But every single response was a resounding no.
• As much as I've tried to find a loophole, it's impossible to use the GSC's budget for students of a non-existent academy. I tried to finance the park's renovation as an excuse, but that didn't work out either since the area's plans for redevelopment have already been approved. I'm afraid the extent of my power is maintaining the students' academic records so their data isn't expunged.
• The elite of that school, the Public Peace Bureau, cannot muster the competence to rid us of a handful of hippies.
• What I'm hearing from you right now, Director, is presumptuous nonsense.

13 : The Fox and the Inarizushi

• Inarizushi : fried tofu, sushi rice, vinegar, salt, sugar, fillings (carrots, cucumbers, shrimp, shiitake mushrooms)
• "My friends and underclassmen used to always say I had the best inarizushi they'd ever tasted!"
• Idle dreamers, reaching for their impossible futures. What a wondrous privilege of the sheltered.. To dream. Is it hard, Sensei, leading a group of students who won't come down from the clouds?
• "Not in the slightest."
• Hm? How so?
• My job is to nurture their dreams until they can't help but become reality.
• "It's like they think I don't have feelings."
• I can't remember the last time I had inarizushi. Well, actually, back at the SRT Academy..
• How nostalgic. The upperclassmen at SRT used to make and eat inarizushi quite a bit. I do hope they're doing well.

14 : The Barter System

• Greetings! Kaiser Industries, the leading purveyor of top-tier firearms. How may I help you?
• Long time no talk, buddy! It's the SRT Academy supply manager. Heehee.
• Our VIP client!
• Infrared image-guided anti-aircraft missiles, scalable cluster grenades, remote-controlled anti-tank rockets..
  • Infrared image-guided anti-aircraft missiles are a type of missile that uses infrared imaging technology to detect and track heat signatures emitted by airborne targets, such as aircraft or helicopters. These missiles use a seeker head that contains infrared sensors to detect the heat signature of the target, and then use this information to guide the missile to intercept the target. One example of an infrared image-guided anti-aircraft missile is the FIM-92 Stinger, which is a portable, shoulder-fired missile system that is used by the United States military and other countries. The Stinger uses a passive infrared seeker head to track targets.
  • Scalable cluster grenades are a type of explosive weapon that is designed to release a large number of smaller submunitions over a wide area. The submunitions, or bomblets, are typically designed to detonate on impact with the ground or other hard surfaces, creating a blast and fragmentation effect that can damage or destroy nearby targets. The term "scalable" refers to the ability of the weapon to adjust the number of submunitions released depending on the size of the target or the level of damage required. For example, a smaller target might only require a few submunitions to be released, while a larger target might require dozens or even hundreds.
• Is the same account we have on file still correct for payment?
• Ah, so you see, I've unfortunately been running into some issues with my account.
• Thermo-pressure grenades, white phosphorus smoke grenades!
  • Thermobaric grenades are a type of explosive weapon that use a mixture of fuel and oxidizer to produce a blast that creates a high-pressure shock wave and a fireball. The blast is designed to produce a high temperature and pressure environment that can be highly destructive to targets within a certain range. The advantage of thermobaric grenades is that they can be highly effective against targets that are in enclosed spaces, such as buildings or caves, or against targets that are behind cover, such as walls or fortifications. The high-pressure shock wave can penetrate through walls and other barriers, while the fireball can ignite flammable materials and cause secondary explosions.
  • White phosphorus smoke grenades are a type of grenade that produces a dense cloud of white smoke when ignited. The smoke is produced by the reaction of white phosphorus with oxygen in the air, which creates a white smoke that can be used for a variety of military and civilian purposes. White phosphorus smoke grenades are often used by military forces for signaling, screening, and marking targets. The dense smoke cloud can obscure the vision of enemy forces, making it more difficult for them to see and engage targets. The smoke can also be used to mark friendly positions or to designate landing zones for aircraft or helicopters. However, the use of white phosphorus smoke grenades has been controversial due to the potential for white phosphorus to cause burns and other injuries to people. White phosphorus can burn at extremely high temperatures and can stick to skin or other materials, causing severe burns and injuries.
• As a VIP client, you must understand. You would be rather upset if we divulged

15 : A Small but Certain Failure

• Scorch marks from thermate and traces of direct hits from high density bullet cores. These weren't ordinary bullets. They appear to be high-explosive incendiary armor-piercing ammunition, or HEIAP.
  • Thermate is a type of incendiary mixture that is similar to thermite, but with the addition of a small amount of sulfur to enhance its incendiary effects. Like thermite, thermate is a mixture of a metal powder, usually aluminum, and a metal oxide, such as iron oxide or copper oxide. When ignited, thermate undergoes a highly exothermic reaction in which the metal oxide is reduced and the metal powder is oxidized, releasing a large amount of heat and producing molten metal. The addition of sulfur to thermate can improve its incendiary effects by creating a longer-lasting, hotter flame and a more intense reaction.
  • High-explosive incendiary armor-piercing (HEIAP) ammunition is a type of projectile that is designed to penetrate armor and cause damage to the target beyond the point of impact. When the projectile hits a target, the explosive charge detonates, creating a hole in the armor and sending shrapnel into the target. The incendiary material then ignites, causing the target to catch fire, while the armor-penetrating material helps to ensure that the projectile penetrates the armor. HEIAP ammunition is often used in military applications, particularly in anti-tank weapons and aircraft cannons. The combination of armor-penetrating and incendiary effects can make it highly effective against armored vehicles and other targets that require a high level of firepower to destroy. The incendiary effects can also be useful for creating a secondary fire or explosion within the target.

16 : Rebate

• You are under arrest for illegally occupying a public park and inciting terror in the surrounding community.
• The Chief of Defense was the one who said we could live here.
• The park's management falls under the purview of the Culture Office, not Defense.
• Ah, it slipped my mind. Chief of Staff did leave the treatment of the RABBIT Squad under Schale's discretion. Hate it to break it to you, but even you have no say here. People way above your pay grade have already given their orders for Kousagi Town's redevelopment.
• Either the RABBIT Squad vacates the premises by the end of the month, or we'll vacate them.
• That means those dirty cops are getting paid in weapons to kick out all the homeless people for Kaiser!
• The Valkyrie Police School, meant to be for the people, is acting as a mercenary organization for private profit.
• The police colluding with corporations for wealth at the expense of the citizens?
• And where do you submit a report about a police school?
• ... Huh. When the police cross the line, who DO you go to?
• When the Valkyrie Police School commits a violation, the only secondary police force that can investigate them is.. Us. The SRT Academy. Our entire purpose is to handle situations like this.
• B-But.. Do we have the authority?
• "Do you believe you're doing what's right?"
• "Go ahead. I'll take responsibility for the blowback."

17 : Operation Clover

• 23.30

18 : Operation Clover 2

• What?! Which imbecile closed the door behind you guys? Even I know that closing the door to a walk-in vault room activates an auto-lock! And I don't study!
• W-Well, I thought someone might s-see if I left the door open.
• Look at the situation you've put your squad members in!
• S-Sorry..
• W-Waaaaaaaaaah! I-had no business joining the SRT.. A d-dump scaredy-cat who d-drags everyone else down. I wish I'd never been born! Waaaah!
• It's okay, Miyu. As a sniper, you're not as familiar with indoor warfare.
• The operation from here on out will be volatile and every decision will count. I will not be able to address your questions, and selfishly ask you follow me blindly even if you don't understand my reasonings. But I promise you, we're going to conclude this mission safely and take the Clover back to our home. All of us.
• What kind of world do we live in? A petty thief invading a police school of all places.

19 : Time to Grow Up

• 01.00
• Kivotos doesn't need the SRT anymore. It's an eyesore and, now a public menace.
• Being responsible for the security of Kivotos, the Valkyrie Police School must conduct its official duties fairly in accordance with the rules set by the General Student Council. That's the trust the public has put in you. But you turned this arm of justice into a petty mercenary squad, colluding with private corporations for your own benefit.
• Why do you little children always puff your chest out and tout your pretty, empty words? Hah! You hide behind your immunity and look down on everyone else. But we were the ones getting our hands dirty every day to take care of business.
• "Beliefs mean nothing if you abandon them at the first hardship."
• I'm one small cog in the wheel! My hands are tied! What am I supposed to do, Sensei?!
• "It was the same for the RABBIT Squad, you know. Doing the right thing is never easy. But that's a decision you have to make for yourself."
• Well.. I better get a head start on my apology letter for all this.
• 01.45
• And as we agreed on before, I'm entrusting the Clover to you, Sensei. We might have uncovered this evidence, but whoever is pulling the strings must be fairly powerful to have backed Director Kanna into a corner the way they did. We may be trained agents, but us students are still naive to the ways of this world. This is where our role ends. We'll leave the rest to you, Sensei.

20 : Fox in the Hole

• Luckily, the rebate Kaiser Corporation kindly granted directly to us has flown under the radar. Director Kanna can handle the fallout while our plan continues in the background.
• You should be trying to recruit more trustworthy colleagues..
• Trustworthy colleagues, you say.. What about those underclassmen of yours? They're quite formidable. They're still elite individuals who passed the SRT entrance exams.
• I'd like to invite the RABBIT Squad to join our coup d'etat.
• No, everything we do is for the SRT's resurrection and Schale's demise.

Vol 2 - 2 : The Romance of Friendship, Courage, and Light

• The commotion caused by the Millennium students regarding the Mirror.. That was something we plotted together.
• Yes, I prepared the Mirror as a means, and you provided a crisis under C&C. It was a rare case where we worked together for the same purpose. All to uncover the identity of Aris.
• The true identity of Aris is.. The artifact worshiped by the nameless priests. A being that only exists in records. The princess of the nameless gods.
• I see. Then, our alliance ends here.
• Yes. To clarify, it was a truce, not an alliance.
• She's the commander of a mysterious army invading from an unknown territory. Aris is the OOPArt enshrined by the nameless priests who worship the nameless gods, and the legacy left by the former inhabitants of Kivotos.
• You shouldn't have a halo at all. You're not human.
• "I will not tolerate another word out of your mouth right now."
• I am a trainee, left behind by the nameless priests who assisted the princess with her duties. I am the key that connects her to the throne she must inherit. She is the princess, and my role is that of the key.
• Starting now, protocol ATRAHASIS will be activated. Initiating the activation process of codename Ark of Atrahasis.
• The princess obtained the key, and the Ark is ready. At the request of the nameless priests, a new sanctuary will be built on this land. With its arrival, all mysteries will be archived for the first time.
• The city itself will warp, distorting into a new concept called the Ark. Then, Kivotos will..
• This is Key, the AI trigger for activating the nameless priest' OOPArt. If left as it is, Aris' personality will be replaced by Key. At last, the princess of the nameless gods will awaken as the nameless priests wished. But we have a way to stop that. We need to stop the process before the nameless priests arrive. By activating Key, we'll awaken Aris, who is isolated in the depths of its database. That'll be our moment to stop it.
• Who shows up to a party that's celebrating the person you almost killed?!

Vol 3 - 4 : Kyrie of the Forgotten Gods

1

• With Trinity, Gehenna, and Arius all after our blood? Nowhere is safe, Saori. There will be no rest for the four of us.
• She'll kill you, Atsuko! Do you hear me? You're dead the moment you arrive!
• Promise me you'll free the others, and I'll come with you.
• Swear on your name you will not harm them.
• ... I swear on my name, Beatrice, visionary of all pilgrims.
• The ritual begins at sunrise tomorrow

2 : Uncomfortable Reception

• Sensei, I invited you here to update you on the situation at Trinity since the Eden Treaty incident and discuss our next steps. For reasons somewhat incomprehensible to me, the leaders of the Sisterhood and the Remedial Knights demanded a seat a table. So here were are.
• Demand is a harsh word. The Sisterhood's newfound political status means we should be involved in meetings like this.
• As the leader of the Remedial Knights, the oldest club in Trinity's history. I'm only fulfilling my duty.
• In other words, you're policing the Tea Party?
• No, no. I'm just keeping up with current events.
• And I have no interest in politics.
• The Eden Treaty incident may have concluded safely, but there's a lot of follow-up and post analysis still in process. The Sisterhood is helping out and conducting some of the research analysis. And this meeting's purpose is to share information on said topics.
• You still seem confused. You see, we could not simply leave this to the Tea Party. The Party's state is fragile right now. It is absolutely unprecedented for an active member of the Tea Party to be arrested. And even more so for one to attack another. Imagine my shock when I discovered Mika was behind the attack on Seia. Arguing that Mika was taken advantage of by Arius does not absolve her of her crimes. And on top of that, the current host manipulated Schale's extrajudical authority to meet her own needs and expel students she disfavored.
• I understand you apologized and no harm was done, but.. It casts a dark shadow on the Tea Party.
• It was a blessing Seia awoke at all. But since, her health has steadily declined and now she is bedridden. And so, it was my conclusion the Tea Party required our assitance.
• Captain Mine is leader of the Johan faction and head of the Remedial Knights. She had the right to attend the Tea Party, but she declined in favor of her medical career. It's rather sweet.
• We have confirmed that the perpetrator of the Eden Treaty incident was indeed Arius. They coordinated their infiltrations by apparently deceiving Chair Makoto and Mika. In fact, Chair Makoto goes so far as to claim she's Trinity's victim, seeing as Arius is a faction of Trinity.
• I cannot ignore that the Sisterhood is held together by secrets. You are long practiced in manipulating and hiding information. It's only natural that many students at Trinity have lost faith in the Sisterhood.
• Its materials and technology are foreign to us. Wherever it came from, it wasn't Kivotos.
• (Nagisa's tea cup is shaking)
• We've touched a sensitive topic. Apologies.
• You keep seeing sides of me I don't mean to show.
• Mika's hearing will be held tomorrow morning. They'll present and discuss Mika's crimes and injustices, especially in relation to the Eden Treaty.
• Sensei. Mika is going to be expelled.

03 : Jailed Princess

• She's already been expelled by her supporters in the Pater faction, and it was confirmed that she'll be dismissed from the Tea Party at the hearing tomorrow. People are convinced Mika is the main culprit in colluding with the Arius Academy to bring about the Eden Treaty incident. There have been riots demanding her dismissal, not to mention stones and even bombs being thrown through her prison window. The academy bulletin board was flooded with criticisms about Mika. They've utterly vandalized her room in anger. Her clothes and accessories were burned, and her belongings pilfered. The perpetrators haven't been caught. Mika has become public enemy number one in Trinity.
• The punishment doesn't fit the crime. I want to help her.
• "I'll help. Just tell me what to do."
• But I don't think Mika is willing to defend herself. She refuses to even attend the hearing. If she's isn't present.. Well, it'll be an automatic explusion.
• Hang the traitor!
• Don't you think it's so mean they still make me take classes while I'm in prison?
• So, what brings you to my humble abode, Sensei?
• A lack of authority is like a vacuum. As the Tea Party's position diminishes, the lesser forces around it are sucked in. I'm sure she didn't expect them to confront the Tea Party so directly like that. Poor Nagi. Has her stomach been hurting? It always hurts when she's stressed.
• As the public opinion of it dwindles, so does its political power. Obviously, it's my fault.
• And if she really insists on defending me in theses conditions, the Tea Party, along with Nagi and Seia's positions will be at risk. They can't shoulder that risk for me. I've already cost them too much.
• I did mess up more than a little bit this time. Even if I get expelled.. E-Even if they burned the precious mementos of me and Nagi's childhood. None of it erases what I did. And... Seia still hates me.
• "Hm? You're... alive? How can that...? Is this a dream? Sensei, a-am I awake?"
• The line between my dreams and reality has been so blurred lately. The past, present, and future are tangled up.
• If I'm to tell you this, no one else can know, okay?
• As you know, my dreams are often predictive of the future, as if I've entered a piece of reality destined to happen. While these dreams happen often, this one shook me to my core.
• Sensei, I saw the fall of Kivotos.

4 : Between a Dream and a Mirage

• This is just my guess.. but the cause may be Gematria.
• This is too dangerous for you alone.
• Yes, I know. Chasing after such mysterious beings, the danger is very real.
• Mika's situation is beyond dire. She might always act like a baby, and she expects the world to cater to her like a princess in her fairy tales. But for her to experience something like this for the first time.. Being the target of everyone's hatred. I don't know if she can handle it.
• "Apologize? When I've already forgiven her?"
• I see.. Mika thinks I still haven't forgiven her. She must see me as the biggest victim of her actions.
• The most grievous of her crimes is injuring me, so it would be very meaningful if I speak for her.
• I think the lucid dreaming has taken a toll on my health. And it's been getting more difficult to wake up.

5 : Inscrutable Seekers

• I graciously permitted you access to my art. To the very expression of my soul.
• Mimesis is the representation or imitation of the real world in art, literature, or other forms of creative expression. to imitate or recreate aspects of reality, often with the intention of reflecting or commenting on the human condition. Artists often engage in acts of mimesis by drawing inspiration from the world around them, imitating or reinterpreting reality, and creating new representations.
• Learn to keep your opinions to yourself.
• Beatrice, you've secured your own estate in Kivotos. This alone makes her invaluable to our plan, Maestro.
• She's subdued every single one of those angry little students in the Arius districts! Hahaha! It's a wonderful step forward for us all. I mean, did we not all see the disaster that was Black Suit's Abydos.. Oh, dear! Why, that was rather rude for me.
• Haha! You're only speaking the truth, Golconde. I'll admit, I didn't factor the teacher into my plans.
• Schale. That Sensei is a nuisance.
• A nuisance, yes. But an asset if they can be persuaded to our side.
• Ah, Sensei! Now there's one who understands art!
• What if we could turn them into one of us? Like we did with Beatrice! She could certainly use a friend.
• All of you are foolish beyond comprehension. We must eliminate the Schale educator or all we have done will be for naught. (sigh) Must I always be surrounded by incompetence?
• It was thanks to her I came up with the idea of securing those ancient powers through the Eden Treaty. Without Mika, I would never have realized and subsequently dealt with the overwhelming threat of the prophetic archangel. I must thank you and Decalcomania again, Golconde, for providing me such rare technology.
• Oh, Please! I (Golconde) only had the recipe. Without our esteemed cook, there would have been no bomb.
• I actually felt a little bad about that! Hahaha! Didn't our little masterpiece get you into trouble? But thanks to Black Suit, I was able to plant a defense system in the body of an offering.
• Black Suit : Always happy to help. The nameless priests' technology proved more helpful than I expected.
• But Sensei.. They charged through my perfectly set scene spewing nonsense about saving the students and their dreams. And somehow, his methods worked. I will not underestimate Schale and their teacher again. Their involvement alters the very purpose of our work. Sensei must be eliminated.
• Black Suit : Hm.. I can't necessarily say I agree.
• Will you stop me? We may have fallen in together under a common goal, but taking orders isn't my strong suit
• Black Suit : I'm well aware. Do as you wish, Beatrice.
• I'm preparing an altar. The same end you attempted to achieve in Abydos. I felt a ritual more.. suited to my tastes.
• Haha! You certainly aren't the type to enter into a fair pact. But your methods fulfill the conditions all the same. Excellent work.
• I'm sending Squad to eliminate Sensei. I promised them forgiveness for Sensei's head. Whether or not I actually do, that'll depend on my mood.
• An insignificant fly is eavesdropping...

6 : Broken Things

• Look at me and tell me again you've never been to the Arius district.
• This is all because you brought Sensei here!!!
• (I can't.. feel my limbs anymore...)
• (I'm losing.. consciousness..)
• Did you think you were safe in your dreams? The prophetic archangel.. Yurizono Seia.
• This woman.. is trying to summon something to Kivotos.

7 : Choices and Decisions

• She's in a bad way. She keeps convulsing and throwing up blood.
• Who's responsible for this? It must be that witch! This happened after she went in the room! She's at fault!
• Murderer! You're a murderer! Get out here!
• Tomorrow at sunrise, she'll execute Atsuko!
• Atsuko was raised for the express purpose of this moment. She said, I could change Hime's fate... if I just faithfully carried out her orders. She made me a promise. If I stole the Eden Treaty and granted Arius the power of the Saint Justina Council.. If I could seize the Trinity and Gehenna districts.. Atsuko wouldn't have to die.
• There's no one I can turn for help. Trinity, Gehenna, and even Arius are out for my blood. I don't know who else to ask. Sensei. Please. I'll do anything. I still have a bomb that destroys halos. I'm putting my life in your hands. You can use this to kill me. If you even so much as suspect me, you can kill me. Please, help Atsuko. I beg of you.
• For a fleeting moment.. I thought I could have a second chance.. to make amends. Even if it was for the hearing, I wanted to see everyone.. Nagisa, Seia and Sensei. I was living a fool's dream when I thought I could have a second chance. Truly a fool.. Arius and Saori lied to me.. and I got taken advantage of.. And in the end, I hurt my precious people.
• Joumae Saori of the Arius Squad. It's all her fault, isn't it? She lied to me and tried to kill Seia. She fired missiles at Nagisa and hurt Sensei.. Everything, everything, everything.. was her machinations. I have to hold Joumae Saori accountable for what she's done. I want her to feel all of my pain. I'll take all that's precious to her. Until she's left with nothing.
• "My students never need to kneel in front of me."
• "Have you already forgotten? I shot you!"
• (Break the detonator)
• Time is of the essence. Let's go.

8 : Squad Reunion

• I see... You saved me so you could capture and torture me yourself! You're gonna throw us into that underground prison! I was told that place is full of screams of students who rebelled against Schale.
• Waaaah! I'm finished. I'm totally finished. If I knew my life would end so early, I would have tried to enjoy it more! I would've finished all the magazines I wanted to!
• We're pretty high...
• Yes, and the river flowing below is at least five meters deep. Because the current is fast, if you lose consciousness upon hitting the water, you'll be swept away in the blink of an eye.
• You trust your back to someone who wants to shoot it, Sensei?
• Saori would've shot me by now if that was what she wanted.
• This rescue mission is a lost cause. Infiltrate the Arius district, fight all their troops, and reach the basilica where Hime is being held? Not only is that impossible, she is in possession of technology I'm sure we couldn't even dream of. Even with Sensei's help, the three of us stand no chance.
• And if by some miracle we do rescue Atsuko, what then? Hime's life has been nothing but pain. Why do you insist on prolonging it for her?
• You think this pathetic display will finally bring you peace? End your suffering? You think I would humor this?
• I'm sure you've put rocks in your coat, but it doesn't matter. I'll tear it off you and drag you out of the water.
• If our fates are predetermined, it doesn't matter what I choose.
• Lead the way, Saori.
• As usual, I leave my back to you.

9 : To the Arius District

• 90 min to midnight
• It makes sense that you were so difficult as an enemy, but so helpful as an ally.
• And I think the unknown variable Sensei brings to the formula will make them tread carefully.
• Heehee.. I'm excited to work with Sensei.
• "I'll do my best to live up to your expectations."

11 : Pursuers

• You thought I was a fool you could lie to. Manipulate. Take advantage of.
• Hello? Are you seriously ignoring me?! That's like, so rude.
• Even if I hated her and wanted to make her suffer sometimes, she was precious to me.. I didn't want her to die.. I didn't wanna be a murderer. I told you to teach her lesson, not destroy her halo! Didn't I?
• Because of this... incident, I've lost everything. The academy, my friends, my home, my memories, my promise with Sensei. Go back to normal? Second chances? Hah! What a silly little fantasy I had. There's no such thing as going back now. I want you to suffer, Squad. I'll make you feel pain.
• I didn't think Sensei would be here. I didn't want you to have to witness this.

12 : Arius District

• I remember crying because.. b-because I thought her halo was gonna be destroyed.
• Tsk. She has a fever. She's been toughing it out this whole time. She's injured and has been on the run for four days straight. Her body is finally catching up.
• S-Sensei's pocket is magical! There was medicine in it!
• We'll take shifts. You need rest too, Hiyori.
• Thanks. Wake me if anything happens.
• The end... Kivotos' end will come with the conclusion of the ceremony. She seems to be trying to summon some kind of being into Kivotos.
• Mika will blame herself and do something she'll regret. I know her.
• You've done so much for each of us. Now, allow us to shoulder some of the burden. I'm going to get out of here somehow, alert Nagisa and the others, and get Mika back.
• "Run, Sensei. You have to get as far away as you can from the Arius district."

13 : Old Story

• 30 minutes to listen story...
• Madame drilled the hate into us, teaching us what it was to kill. Turning us into murderers. She told us she was a grown-up who taught the truth of the world. That we must follow and respect her. She was an adult. We didn't know anything but to accept her teachings. Anyone who rebelled was punished ruthlessly, like Azusa and Hime.
• S-Sensei?! Why do you look so scary? Did we do something wrong?
• I never promised a pleasant story.
• Y-Your story made Sensei mad, Misaki..
• A direct descendant of the previous Arius Student Council president.. The presidency was once passed down through families, so she would have been the Student Council president of the Arius Satellite School.
• We didn't really understand. We only knew how to blindly accept what was handed to us.

14 : Meeting

• It's the scream of Ambrosius, a tactical weapon utilized during the Eden Treaty. It seemed to be some form of a Mimesis.
• From the beginning, your true mission was to bring royal blood to the old cathedral and manifest the Council. All I needed was for you to open a path to the Mimesis ability. Of course, Maestro doesn't like me treading on his supposed area of expertise much. Trinity and Gehenna were little flies that landed on my chess board. I only used them as an excuse to fuel the deep-seated hate within your district. It made you little fools.. so very, very easy to control. In that sense, I suppose you actually did fulfill your mission! I couldn't have gotten the Mimesis ability without you. Not only that, you handed over the royal blood so nicely. What an obedient little child you are, Saori.
• Schale's educator. The beloved Sensei. Your reputation truly precedes you. I've anticipated this meeting for some time now.
• Allow me to introduce myself. I am Beatrice, a member of Gematria.
• "I can't say I'm pleased to meet you, Beatrice."
• Aren't you curious how I've brought the entire student body under my control? I'll tell you my secrets, for a few in return of course.
• You see, despite the way I look, I have no special powers or abilities. Hate, contempt, anger, disgust.. Such intense, all-encompassing emotions. They're laughably easy to manipulate.
• But those silly little brats you're trying so hard to save were already waging a civil war before I came along. All that deep-seated rage.. that boiling hatred against the world. I simply utilized it. I would hardly consider them poor, innocent little students.
• You need only turn your gaze at Trinity to understand. You've witnessed it, Sensei. Their hatred. Their cruelty.
• All I do is reach my hand into the insatiable void of hate they already posses and rip it open further. And then I fill that hole with my own teachings until my voice is the only command they follow. And forcing them to commit heinous crimes under my command. The guilt they inherently suffer makes them latch onto me even harder? Is it my fault? Is it theirs? I do love watching them unravel.
• Adults dominate, exploit, and devour these unfortunate souls.
• I've spent so much effort on her. You wouldn't want to waste it, would you? And I promise, you'll benefit from her sacrifice too? Aren't you the least bit curious? What the sacrifice of one insignificant student can achieve?
• I'll make a world built just for you. Come join me, and I'll tell you everything. About our new world, and secrets about the world we currently live in. Kivotos is.. truly... a marvel. A sublime tale of mystery and horror. And I can show you the truth behind all of it. Take my hand, Sensei. It's the last time you'll see it extended.
• "I don't need a truth that demands innocent blood."
• So.. is this Eden Treaty your paradise? A bumbling, idealistic world where love and friendship overcomes all? You're really no better than those naive children. As an adult, you should be teaching the truth. "Paradise is the origin of the first sin..."
• "Your methods are an insult to everything I stand for."
• Black Suit perceives you as a rival. Quite a compliment, coming from him. Maestro is absolutely fascinated with you. He thinks you alone can understand him ((bwahaha. bro, I spent tireless night just to beat your mimesis)). To Golconde, you're a metaphor that completes his eternal search. And I perceive you as an adversary. We reject each other. My natural enemy.

15 : What Remains

• Mika : I've let you down so many times at this point, what's one more?
• "Mika nees to learn her lesson..."
• Saori : Good. I was getting angry.
• Mika : Oh? Are you all going to punish me?
• I have nowhere to go, Sensei. Not Trinity, not anywhere. I'm the witch of Trinity now. I hurt Seia over and over again.. I don't wanna get kicked out. I won't get to play with Nagi.. or Sensei.. All the people I treasure will be out of my reach.. I know there's no happy future written in my fate.. Because I'm the villain of everyone's story! I'm.. I'm a murderer. The only thing I have left to live for is my revenge!
• Squad! Why? Why are things like this? You stole everything from me! I lost everything I held dear! It's all your fault!
• There's nothing left to live for.. So, tell me. What am I supposed to do?
• Mika really.. hates me to her core.

16 : Underground Corridor

17 : Contest

• One hour left until sunrise..
• I'm not completely evil though. If you can hold out until then, you win.
• Actually, it would've been nice if it was Sensei with me.
• I wanted it to be you. The object of all my hate at my mercy. Sensei only rescues their students. Sensei will go to the ends of the world to secure their students' happy ending.
• This is the climax! The scene where the witch executes the hound! You can beg if you want! Scream and cry about how unfair this is, about how you don't understand why I'm doing this.
• I do understand.
• Owiee.. I-It hurts..
• Are you scared, Seia? Afraid of the power outside of Kivotos you can't tear your eyes away from? Your very existence attracted it like a moth to a flame. That thing. You ventured a step too far into powers you didn't understand. And now it's dominated you. I wonder... what will happen to you. Not even I know.
• An ominous light that can't be interpreted, understood, or communicated with. An incomprehensible idea that, in human eyes, has no purpose. Gematria's greatest threat. We call it the Chroma.
  • The meteorite emits a strange, otherworldly color that gradually infects and corrupts everything around it. The color mutates the plants, animals, and people in the area, causing them to become twisted and monstrous versions of their former selves. The protagonist of the story, a surveyor who is sent to investigate the meteorite, gradually realizes that the color is actually a living entity that is slowly consuming and transforming everything around it. The alien antagonist in "Color Out of Space" is never described in detail, and is instead portrayed as a formless, indescribable force that is beyond human understanding. Lovecraft's writing often emphasized the idea that there are incomprehensible forces in the universe that are beyond human comprehension, and the alien antagonist in "Color Out of Space" is a prime example of this idea.
• The Saintess of the Council, Barbara. If completed as expected, it'll be even stronger than the artificial angel series. A weapon's beauty lies in its function. I can't wait to see Maestro's reaction. I do hope it vexes him.

18 : Another Us

• You're going to destroy her halo! Please!
• Misaki, don't do this again. Please.
• Why not?
• W-Why not..? B-Because.. well..
• Why should we have to go on struggling? I'm cold, hungry and sick. Every day is the same. Painful and unbearable. Why do you force this meaningless pain on us? What can come from this?
• B-But.. It's because.
• P-Please forgive me.. I was wrong.. I'm sorry. I'll never disobey an adult's order.. never ever. I'll let go of all hope. I won't rebel. I will never pray for happiness.. Never again.. I'm sorry. So, please... forgive.. Have mercy.. please. Mercy..
• If it weren't for Sensei, she would've remained what she was supposed to be : a mindless chess piece.
• At first. She was a symbol of reconciliation. Reconciliation for Trinity and Arius. That was your idea, Mika. You said it when you first approached us. Before the lies and schemes. When we first met, you only spoke of peace.
• "Hi there! Are you an Arius student? What's your name? It's such a nice day out! I love the feel of the sun on my skin."
• Get to the point, Trinity.
• "Woah, there. Not very into casual conversation, huh? Okay, okay. I'd like for Trinity and Arius to reconcile."
• "I mean, Nagi and Seia are still super against it. And I get it. But at the same time, I don't really understand. Would it be bad for us to try to be nice to each other? Little by little, we could chip away at that hatred. I really think it's possible. That's why I came out here to meet you guys. To try, little by little."
• Do you expect me to trust you?
• "I really don't. So, how about this? What if you transfer an Arius student to Trinity without telling anyone? I could make it happen with a snap of my fingers. Being in the Tea Party has its benefits. If an Arius student can assimilate into Trinity, we can prove that we're not so different. She'll be like... a symbol of reconciliation! Aren't I a genius?"
• This isn't a decision I can make. We'll talk again later.
• Silly child. A symbol of reconciliation? If I scoffed any harder, I'd be able to spit on the Trinity girl.
• Good girl. There is no reconciliation. They have taken everything from you, except your hatred. Do not lose it.
• You'll send her on a little extended vacation to the hospital, and I'll be next in line to become host!
• Madame wanted Seia gone, and the opportunity presented itself. You only thought of us as disposable foot soldiers, didn't you? Why else would you have revealed Seia's location? But we weren't some petty thieves you could manipulate.
• And then we received a mission. Shatter Seia's halo. And Azusa.. she was assigned to the mission because she'd already studied and prepared to be our symbol of reconciliation.
• "Nagi's planning something weird. A peace agreement with Gehenna? She's gone totally crazy since Seia died."
• I didn't understand what you wanted or what principles you upheld. I still don't. I could've just brushed you off as a foolish, naive girl. But I know you better than that. I thought your dreams of reconciliation were inconceivable, but.. But what if it wasn't? Even now, I can erase the thoughts from my head.
• When you first approached me, you really did want to reconcile, didn't you?
• You couldn't accept it.. the hell that erupted from your hopeful dreams.
• Azusa was always closed-off. She accepted our presence, but never our friendship.
• I have so many questions for her. Can I be happy too, one day? How do I find peace? Will I ever have the chance? Or more aptly.. do I deserve the chance? What if.. What if I had met Sensei first? Instead of Madame? How would the trajectory of my life have changed? Maybe I wouldn't have hurt everyone I love.
• I've wondered that again and again too! What if I had met Sensei earlier? Sensei could've helped me fix my mistakes!
• Second chance? I wanted it so badly. And when Sensei came to my cell and told me all my friends would come to my hearing, I thought I could have it.
• Seriously? Confiscated a deadly weapon like it was some weird magazine?
• "It's a teacher duty to confiscate dangerous items."

19 : Infinite Chances

• You're right, Mika. You're my worst student. You hurt others and yourself. You cry every time things go wrong. But your kind heart is what made you reach out to Arius. You're not a witch. You're my student. I didn't come for Saori. I came to tell you all this. Of course you have another chance. And if you don't, I'll make one. If that one doesn't work out, I'll do it again. If that one doesn't work out, I'll try it again. And again, and again, and again! I won't stop! When you fail, you just try again! It doesn't matter if it takes the rest of our lives. I'll give you infinite chances, Mika! Saori! I'll make it happen, no matter what!
• Cease this foolishness! Your nauseating idealism holds no place in my basilica. Your theatrics have become entirely unamusing. Did you really think I wouldn't be watching you? This entire city belongs to me.
• Was it fun, holding onto your little hope of "sunrise"? The royal blood's halo will be destroyed before she has the chance to ever lay eyes on the sun again. And with her death, I will rise as the most magnificent being to walk Kivotos.

20 : Saintess Barbara

21 : Breakthrough

22 : Agnus Dei

• "Agnus Dei" is a Latin phrase that means "Lamb of God."
• With this ritual, I will harness the powers lurking outside Kivotos and elevate my existence! Of course, it wouldn't have been possible without the royal blood's sacrifice.
• We're not so different. Each of us pursuing what we want, using the knowledge we have garnered in our lifetimes. Is it not an adult's duty to save this world? The more power you amass, the more capable you are performing that duty. I will become the highest authority of this land and at last save this useless world! That is my duty as an adult! Who cares for the sacrifice of one little girl in the process? It is nothing in the face of the greater good!
• Sensei, do you not relate to me? As their teacher, you too hold the absolute power to absolve or punish the students.
• "You've misunderstood entirely. I'm not a judge. I've never had the right to judge anyone. I'm not a savior. I can't shield my students from pain. I'm not an absolute. I can't scrub their sins from this world. I'm not some higher authority."
• How can you explain your power? Your influence? The value your mere existence seems to bring?
• "I'm just a humble teacher. I only hold the power to believe in my students when they need it the most."
• Then prove it!

23 : Kyrie for the Students

• "Kyrie" is a Greek word that means "Lord" or "Lord, have mercy.
• This.. is the worst.. Everything hurts.
• Schola Cantorum is a Latin term that literally means "school of singers" or "singing school." It is commonly used to refer to a choir or a group of singers who specialize in singing sacred music.
• It's funny to think that Arius must have had chapel class, just like us.

24 : Kyrie for the Students 2

• No! The song of mercy cannot play in my territory!
• "Shut up. Don't ever speak to my precious students again. I will never forgive the pain you caused my students."
• Not everything, but it's time to close this little storybook.
• Not all Gematria can turn into monsters like Madame, after all.
• And yes, yes. Madame, this was not your story to enter, and Sensei was not your rival. Even I can SEE that! Hahaha, get it? The events, conflicts and processes you started are now insignificant bygones
• Golconde : My beautiful Madame. You aren't the main character nor the antagonist. Instead, look up the term "plot device" in the dictionary.
• U-Ugh..!
  • A plot device is a technique or element used in a story to advance the plot or to create a particular narrative effect. It is often a specific event, object, or character that is introduced into the story to either resolve a conflict or to create a new one.
• Sensei, wherever you intervene, you rewrite the story with your desired ending. If not for you, our poor Madame would have been successful. Your chosen form of conflict resolution was believing in your students? A bit bland and overdone, if you ask me.
• "Wait...!"
• Do you plan to stop me? I woudl strongly recommend against that, Sensei. I can utilize various tools. The halo-destroying bomb you have is one of my creations. Oh my, I wouldn't detonate it in this holy place. It wouldn't be effective against you at all. Not a tiny bit. I never was able to confirm if it could successfully destroy a halo.
• Madame, your experiment has failed. Off we go.

25 : Someone special

• A lot of people would be sad if you got hurt, Atsuko.
• Adults like me are responsible for creating a world that hurt you. / Kids deserve to make mistakes. Kids don't deserve hurt and pain.
• Is there anything you want to do? Is there anything you want to try? What do you WANT to do, Saori? What do you want to be when you grow up? Do you have any dreams?
• With that, it's time to say goodbye, Squad. Another student needs my help.
• Beatrice and all her powers suppressing the Arius district have disappeared.
• Take your credit card.
• This place needed our aid, not repudiation.
• From here on out, your role is to quickly rescue and treat any enemies I injure.

26 : Our Future

• You really are a dummy, Mika. As usual, your impulsiveness ruined things. I've always said it was your worst trait.
• And you're always such a meanie! But wh-what happened? Are you okay?
• I met someone in a dream. It was a long journey but, to summarize. I made a deal and escaped Beatrice's grasp.
• Please.. I need Nagisa.. And bring the Sisterhood and the Justice Task Force here. Hurry. There's no time. Sensei and Mika are in grave danger.
• As soon as I woke up, I asked for the Sisterhood, the Remedial Knights and the Justice Task Force.
• During that talk, Nagisa swore she would abdicate all her authority if we could just save you, Mika.
• I beg of you to help me. Please save Mika.
• I implore you as well.
• Raise your heads, Nagisa, Seia. You need now bow to us.
• It's.. a long story..
• Understood. I will not pry. For now.
• More importantly, Sensei's safety is the priority. The Sisterhood will support this operation. There are many students at Trinity who owe Sensei, including me. They'll be glad to help.
• And our reputation wouldn't last long if we need the Make-Up Work Club's help again for this particular mission. Trust in us.
• U-Umm...
• It's okay. What would you like to say?
• Please save Atsuko. I hope everyone else can be saved too..
• Even though they pointed their guns at you? At your friends?
• Even so. They may be villains who've committed heinous crimes. But they were my family.
• We can't rely on Sensei for everything. Every relationship should go both ways. So, we came here on our own to save you, Mika.
• You really are such a narcissist! You make everything sound so self-important and complicated. I've always wanted to say that out loud to you! But you know what? I like you a whole lot, Seia.
• And Nagi! Are you kidding me? She brought tea all the way to the Arius District? Is she a tea addict? Does she have a serious problem? But I like Nagi more than anything, tea and all.
• I don't know how to feel about that statement.
• You guys are my favorite. Thank you for coming for me. And I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry. (cries)
• My accessories? How do you have these? I thought they were burned with everything else!
• There was a member in charge of the contraband storage. Ugh, how do I explain this..? That student collected the accessories that didn't burn and hid them away.
• Koharu?
• "Woah! You know who Koharu is?"
• Tell her I said thank you. I can't believe she did this, even though I always bullied her.

27 : Epilogue

• From now on, every path we take is an unknown.
• Arius, Trinity, Gehenna.. We're not welcome anywhere.
• Hime. Ideals won't feed an empty stomach.
• Wildflowers bloom through cracks in the concrete.
• Sensei. I'm unable to have prophetic dreams anymore. That was the price I paid to escape my neverending dream. I have to discuss my last prophetic dream with you. One day, though. Right now, I want to remember this moment.
• Black Market Officer : Heeheehee. What's your story, newbie? No one ends up here without one.
• It says right here on the contract, student pay is a thousand yen. But you hid the fact you were a dropout, so it's five hundred yen. This is the calculation after subtracting taxes, various expenses and meals. Any problems? Also, it looks like you're wanted. Wouldn't you get in trouble if anyone knew you were here? I'll have to deduct an additional 15% as an information protection cost.
• What? Wait, then.. how much do I get..?
• Zilch. Nada. Nothing. The exit is right that way. Do you have any complaints? I'm sure you could direct them to the Valkyrie Police School.
• No, I get it. I'll consider this lesson learned.
• P-Please! Have mercy!!
• Ahaha! You're really the best, Haruka! You definitely made your point!
• Is this how the criminal world operates..?

Final Volume 1

2 : Catastrophe

• The Chroma is best described as an incomprehensible.. force lurking outside of Kivotos. Is it sentient? Does it have personality? Free will? I still know little of its true nature. But what I do know is that it's a deadly poison to Kivotos' inhabitants. Become exposed to the Chroma, and you will never be yourself again. Your spirit will be shattered into pieces and your body distorted into a new form. You may not die, but any Kivotos resident who comes into contact with it will no longer known themselves. They become distorted into a new being entirely. Fear not, the Chroma will not find Kivotos. For the Chroma to infiltrate our city, it would be like finding a needle in a haystack. It would be both a miracle and a disaster.
• I see. Someone attempted to manipulate the power of the Chroma for their own benefits. They performed a ritual to summon the Chroma to Kivotos. It's fortunate for us all that the ritual was incomplete.
• Although you did not walk away without injury. Your mind may be safe here in this space with you and me, but your body is likely disintegrating as we speak.
• However, you are fortunate to have encountered me, Kuzunoha, the great prophet of Hyakkiyako. Kuzunoha.
• I will send you back to your body, safely. Of course, you cannot gain without equal loss. Yes, a payment of sorts. For your safe return, you must sacrifice one of the essences of your soul. You must leave behind your ability to see the future. The Chrome distorts these essences I speak of. Or perhaps it simply draws forth what bubbles beneath the surface. Regardless, allow these infected essences to fester, and you will lose who you are to the Chroma. But let it go, extract the poison before its creeping fingers can grasp your soul, and you will be free of the Chroma's erosion. What say you? Will you sacrifice the skill you are so proud of so that you may fulfill your proclaimed "duty", Prophet of Trinity?
• Yes. I will!
• Said with much conviction and no hesitation. Is this for the sake of your friends? How admirable. Wonderful, wonderful.
• Farewell then, Seia. Know that you cannot find me back in your world. I do not exist there.
• We recently discovered the legacy of the nameless priests.
• Silly me for even asking, but who exactly are these nameless priests, Black Suit? Even I understand the basics. Beatrice's ability to protect royal blood, the cruise missile strong enough to destroy the cathredal, they are all gifts from these nameless priests, no? So putting my heads together, I have gleaned their technology makes that of Kivotos' look like a little child playing in mud.
• You're correct. The nameless priests were once masters of a world predating Kivotos. Exactly. Before the world as we know it today, we had the nameless gods, the sublimes of their time. Only the faintest wisps of their existence can be identified in the largely mysterious annals of Kivotos. What do we know of these gods is how they manifested themselves : typhoons, cliffsides and trees, lightning, the list goes on. They appeared as crude forms of nature, but in reality embodied the mystery and terror of genesis itself.
• There's very little I can say of the nameless priests who worshiped them, except that they harbor no kind feelings towards Kivotos and its residents. And while we've seen neither hide nor tail of the priests themselves, their technology remains littered throughout these lands. Therein is where my interests lie. Because, as we've already seen, their technology fetches a high, high price on the black market. Heh.
• But Golconde has informed me the situation has changed, and we have much greater concerns than price tags at the moment. Ah, yes! It may have passed with the blink of an eye, but we observed the Ark, that we did.
• What do you mean by observed? This implies the Ark is not an object to be seen, but a phenomenon that was observed.
• Haha! Fascinating! All this time I was looking for a physical Ark, but you suggest it to be intangible.
• Which also suggests that using the Kaiser Group to dig up the Abydos Desert was in vain. It seems I've made a... mistake, so to speak.
• Yes, yes. Fascinating. If that is the case, the Ark could reasonably be seen as a manifested concept, a menagerie of swirling mysteries.
• The nameless priests and their troops, believed to be extinct, have made themselves known once again. The situation has taken an unexpected turn. Schale's appearance, a failure to secure Kivotos' greatest mystery, losing our only territory in Arius, Decagrammaton's death. And now we have the nameless priests' legacy, the appearance of the Ark.
• But the facts of our current reality is that unpredicted and uncontrollable variables have rudely introduced themselves into our plans. We've lost control of the situation.
• You mean to say, Beatrice has made matters worse. The Chroma would have never discovered the existence of Kivotos if not for her ritual. Your garish ritual allowed the Chroma to come into contact with Kivotos. Did you the risks when you pursued your desires?
• No, no. Contacting the Chroma was never her goal, but rather to possess its power! Madame's motives were not to expose us to it.
• Even worse! She sought personal gain with the Chroma's power! The audacity, the barbarianism it requires to attempt to take advantage of something so iridescently incomprehensible for a purpose so laughable.
• Tread much more carefully, little puppet. You "artists" suggest the sublime in your own work, and then turn and scoff at that of others. Is that arrogance simply a requirement for tortured, inconsequential artists?
• Now, now. Let's all behave like the mature adults we are. We were all curious of how Beatrice's ambitions would play out, and she had no intention of bringing the Chroma to Kivotos. Regardless, we haven't confirmed the Chroma has actually discovered us. It peeked in through a window in a dream. It may remain just that, a distant dream.
• You're correct. And that window was only opened because of Schale's Sensei. I have said time and time again, Sensei's existence is the cause for all these distortions. I stand by my words. We should have eliminated Sensei the moment they reared their ugly head.
• As long as we exist under the concept of Academy city, Sensei's existence will surpass ours before we draw our next breath. That's how the dice rolls in this story! Stay right here like the sitting ducks we are, and we're subject to the rules and laws of this world.
• Take your rules straight to hell! I understand. The situation is desperate. Allow me to offer this motley crew its salvation. My solution will handle the nameless priests, Shcale, and the Ark in one fell swoop. In fact, the Chroma is fully aware of Kivotos' existence. To be frank, I intentionally formed the Chroma of our location. It is coming.
• "Sensei can be protected no longer. Sensei.. With this.. With this.. everything will be over."
• That dream.. A world devoid of color.. The girl pointing a gun at you. Her halo. it was distorted. The details are blurry, but I saw you die there.
• Six enormous towers descend from the sky, turning the world red. They scatter throughout the six region of Kivotos. Until the Kivotos we know today is nothing but a vague memory.
• The General Student Council president chose you to fill her space in her absence, so it's my job to help you.
• I'll do what I can on my own, but you'll need more than a vague hunch to get the other GSC members on board. If you can get their approval, we'll have more avenues to investigate, Sensei. As it stands, I can't allocate too many resources to this, but I'll gather the necessary evidence.

3 : A Fissure in Everyday Life

• Y-Yes, I believe so! I've located some kind of underground structure measuring about 132 m x 23 m x 13 m at specified coordinates.
• That must be it! Contact the general right away! This is of utmost urgency! And use the anti-espionage network to contact the chief of defense of the GSC too.
• Hm. Aren't you offloading the worst of your tasks off to me, Rio?
• First you invoke the dangerous legacy of the nameless gods, fail, and now you turn around and ask me to process analyze heaps of heaps of data. Well, I suppose being remorselessly shameless after nearly causing the end of the world is the privilege of our Big Sister.
• It's not concrete. It's an interpretation of speculation on top of a hypothesis, but I still see it. With this.. I can empathize with your apparently paranoid delusions that led you to such drastic matters.
• But the biggest takeaway is this : we must prepare for a supernatural phenomenon of a staggering degree.

4 : A Fissure in Everyday Life (2)

5 : A Fissure in Everyday Life (3)

• My purpose does not lie in this frivolous research or rudimentary experiments.
• I must become an absolute. One with power to destroy and create the world itself. I will become an ominous light that cannot be interpreted, beyond human communication. To human eyes, I will be beyond a purpose they can understand.
• Gematria is an explorer and a seeker. Incomprehensible madness is the very enemy we sought to defeat. In succumbing to your own madness, you have lost your right to Gematria.
• I-- How dare you?! I hold the power of the Chrome within me! I have tamed the power of madness you so desperately fear!
• It does appear so. Golconde, if you would please?
• Yes, yes. It's been a pleasure, Madame.
• (....)
• Fascinating. It's even more effective than the halo-destroying bomb. Truly. Mysteries, as the name suggests, may be impossible to interpret, but Madame's motives were predictable.
• Did you truly believe we would be twiddling our thumbs here? We have been preparing for a means to combat the Chroma since the moment you came into contact with it.
• One seat is empty again. We will discuss recruitment later.

6 : Foreshadowing

• These readings were detected two hours ago. Six masses with incredibly high energy have been observed throughout Kivotos. The Abydos Desert, the abandoned amusement park near DU, the closed area in the Millenium outskirts, the border area between Trinity and Gehenna, that new town near Millenium, and the center of Sanctum Tower. Right on top of us.
• The GSC doesn't have the power to respond to something of this scale. We'll have to coordinate with each district to analyze this phenomenon. With the authority of the acting president of the GSC, I am initiating emergency protocol. Please gather the Kivotos Emergency Response Committee. Begin by summoning the representative of Trinity, Gehenna, Millennium, Abydos... all the districts we can contact.
• Well, there have been some complaints recently that you've been abusing the office's power. Taking such drastic measures could endanger your position as acting president. The public will view you as an opportunist seeking to solidify your position while the president is still missing.

7 : Convening the Emergency Response Committee

• Tea Party : However, I have not laid any of my trust with the GSC since the president disappeared. While Nanakami Rin, the proxy, has been harmless enough, it would be foolish of us to blindly follow her lead.
• The raging storm within the Council since the president's disappearance has been obvious to all. We need to discuss the situation with Sensei before anything else.
• We may not be in the majority with our decision to attend, however, I see here the Pandemonium Society, Millennium's Big Sister, the Red Dictator, and even the Dark Monarch were invited. I find it unlikely a meeting with such a cast can run smoothly. I''m apprehensive of the political strife that may ensue.
• Iroha : sigh.. I already have a headache..
• I find it strange that the GSC would invite us. We're remote both geographically and politically.
• Dismantling Schale isn't to our advantage at this point.
• As we've secured the artifact in the desert, we no longer have any need for the GSC's forces, and with that, the cooperation of the Defense Office. Gematria is also a petty waste of time. With the artifact, we can act of our own accord. Proceed to occupy the GSC. We will simultaneously secure administrative control of the Sanctum Tower. Then Kaiser Corporation will finally seize control of Kivotos from the hands of the GSC.

8 : The Arrival of the Light

• Huh? The ground shook just now. Was that an earthquake? I see a strange light.. It's kind of dark.. No, it's like a rainbow. What is this?
• Percussion failure in a gun refers to the situation when the gun's firing mechanism fails to ignite the primer, which is a small explosive charge located in the base of a cartridge. The primer is struck by a firing pin or hammer when the trigger is pulled, and the resulting explosion ignites the gunpowder inside the cartridge, which propels the bullet out of the barrel. A percussion failure can occur for various reasons, such as a faulty or worn-out firing pin, a weak or defective primer, or improper storage conditions that have caused the primer to become damp or corroded. If a percussion failure occurs, it is important to treat the gun as if it is still loaded and follow proper safety procedures to avoid injury.
• Shiroko : "This. The Chroma"

9 : Collision

• The situation is too complex with too many conflicting parties. I couldn't ask my subordinates to break the law if I wasn't willing to do it myself.
• Kaiser PMC attacked the GSC six hours ago. A high-ranking commander of Kaiser PMC took over and disbanded the Administration Board, occupied the Sanctum Tower, and declared martial law all over DU. All transportation and communication networks to and from DU have been cut off. Other agencies, including Valkyrie, have lost administrative authority and are awaiting orders. Currently, all DU security has been transferred to Kaiser PMC through martial law.
• The fact that I, the leader of a security organization, am now helping you and antagonizing Kaiser PMC is tantamount to disobeying the law. The Public Safety Bureau students aren't a public security organization in the first place, so if I testify that you've fulfilled the order of a superior you "accidentally" got involved with, you two could at least avoid responsibility.
• I don't care if I'm breaking their laws! I'll do anything to serve justice, real justice!
• Don't be so short-sighted. Without you, who will be in charge of traffic in Kivotos? Especially in times like these, who will help citizens in trouble? You and I have different abilities, which means we each other have to do our utmost to fulfill what duties only we can fulfill.
• Sakurako : We have more urgent matters to discuss with Schale.
• Mine : What could be more urgent than this, Sakurako?
• It is .. a delicate matter.
• What cannot be discussed here? What is the Sisterhood hiding this time?!
• Now, what could this be? She couldn't possibly be sleeping while Seia is talking, could she? I'd expect at least a modicum of respect from Gehenna.
• Makoto, please get up. Everyone is looking at you.
• Nonsense? Now that I think about it, if you're having trouble sleeping, I'm considered something of an expert at helping people sleep. Permanently.
• Mika, it's fine. Please sit down.
• Heehee. I was just adjusting my chair. I wasn't getting up, promise.
• The GSC is obviously hiding Sensei! This meeting is pointless! This whole thing is a conspiracy! Haven't you nitwits figured that out yet?
• The chief of defense's disappearance is oddly convenient. The Emergency Response Committee infringes upon her office and rights more so than any other department. Not only that, Schale's Sensei is suddenly missing. Isn't that too much of a coincidence? I've also confirmed that PMC was used to fill the void created after SRT disbanded. The exchange was anonymous, but I was able to figure it out by tracking the financial metrics. A plan to hand over the GSC's power to private companies. Was this all part of your greater scheme?
• Chief Officer. Are you the mastermind of all these incidents? The dissolution of SRT? The establishment of Schale? And what about... The missing president of the GSC?
• Here's the motion of Rin's censure. A majority of six members of the Administration Board agreed that they have no confidence in Chief Officer Rin. This is the formally issued order. Now all executive orders will be suspended until a vote of confidence is conducted.

10 : Collision (2)

11 : Escape

• I thought the administrative troops couldn't move because of martial law right now.
• Well.. As you know.. We live in a park..
• We d-don't have a f-formal commander.
• Martial law? So that's why I couldn't access my usual sites.
• H-How were we supposed to know?! No one ever tells us anything!
• B-Because Sensei is the only one wh-who talk to us.. (sniffle)
• Currently, DU is under martial law, prohibiting all communication, logistics, and movement, and the administrative system has been shut down. Because all communication going out of DU is blocked, we can't get help from other academy districts, and the whereabouts of the other chairmen are unknown. To cancel the martial law declared by Kaiser, we need to regain administrative control, but the GSC lost all authority when the chief officer's censure resolution passed! The only way to fix it is to convene the six chiefs of staff who agreed to the censure and have them cancel the censure or pass a vote of confidence. But it's impossible to convene them while under martial law! It's an endless Catch-22!
  • The phrase "It's an endless Catch-22" refers to a situation where a problem seems impossible to solve because it is caused by a set of contradictory or circular rules. The term "Catch-22" comes from Joseph Heller's novel of the same name, in which a rule states that a soldier is only allowed to request to be relieved from duty if they are mentally unfit. However, anyone who requests to be relieved from duty is deemed to be sane enough to continue serving, creating a paradoxical situation where the soldier is unable to be relieved from duty. When someone says "It's an endless Catch-22," they mean that the situation is similarly paradoxical and intractable. It implies that the problem cannot be resolved because the rules or conditions that are causing the problem are self-contradictory, and attempts to solve the problem only lead to further complications and contradictions. In essence, it's a situation where you're damned if you do, and damned if you don't.
• The only way not is to invade the one place that has administrative control of Sanctum Tower and stop it! It's Schale!

15 : Subverting the Narrative

• Two hundred and fifty missed calls
• Seia : Sensei, where are you? I have something I need to discuss with you. It's about the prophecy.
• Sakurako : Sensei, I have to talk to you about something we found in the Arius district.
• Mika : Sensei? Where are you? Why didn't you show up to the Emergency Response Committee today? Sensei?
• Nagisa : Sensei? Are you okay?
• Yuuka : Sensei! I just heard about the Emergency Response Committee. Please wait and I'll be there. Don't start without me! Wh-What? Martial law? Blocked? What's going on, Sensei!
• Hanako : Sensei.. It seems something is happening in Kivotos. Are you all right?
• Himari : What happened to the power, Sensei? What's wrong?
• Rin : Sensei.. Where are you? Is this all my fault? Did something happen to you... because of me?
• Ayane : Sensei.. Shiroko.
• Hoshino : Shiroko disappeared into thin air.. Why is this happening?
• Nonomi : Sensei.. It's about Shiroko.. What should we do?
• Serika : Sensei! Shiroko went missing! She left her bicycle behind! Call me when you see this!
• ...
• FOX 2. Secured the chief of defense.
• I'm so proud of our underclassmen. They fought on par with Kaiser's Special Operations Forces.
• How ya doing, FOX3?
• Secured the target item. We're leaving the Schale building now. But what is this? I was told to retrieve it from Schale's basement, but I don't even know what it is.
• The Chief of Defense will likely know. I'll ask her when she wakes up.
• So what about our plan? What's going on now?
• Retreat for now. The plan went awry because of Kaiser's attack.
• ...
• Sensei, your power won't work anymore.
• Golconde is no longer. I am Francis, and I'll be watching you with Decalcomania. Heed these final words. Due to the nature of this story, you could be its main character. Until now, you enjoyed the privilege of your invincibility. The story was written for you. But now. This narrative has been subverted. The previously established context, structure, nature, intent, and interpretation have been utterly dismantled.
• Sensei. The stories so far have been for naught. The events that will unfold from this moment on will defy all you believe you know. You will encounter a world sans protagonists. There will be no villains, no conflict. Parallel lines will become entangled, the axioms you know to be true all dismantled. A contrived reality in which the composition of your lives no longer holds any meaning. This world will be one of absurdities so incomprehensible even the difference between up and down will have no meaning. Alas, your fated future has always existed just this way.
• The narrative is no longer yours. You are no one, Sensei. The quaint story of academies and youth has ended. The narrative has been subverted. Feel your once cherished significance fade away until you are nothing.
• So let us begin our new reality. One with no stories.
• "No."
• "Even if the story's so broken that it can barely be considered a story.."
• "None of it matters.."
• "I don't even care if an intergalactic battleship or a giant robot appears."
• "Whatever ending might be store for us, we'll beat it together."
• I see. Then I will watch how you fight this story, Sensei.. Or rather, our protagonist! I will watch as you move towards your ending of despair and catastrophe!
• "Arona, contact everyone"
• Huhh? O-Okay! But what do you mean by "everyone"?
• I mean everyone.
• ...
• Okay. So, the Chroma had already come into contact with the nameless gods. I miscalculated. And there was another side to the wolf god. The god of death, the escort for all living beings to the underworld. That was the terror on the other side of the mystery. With this, the final stage of this narrative is complete. The adversary we must face is the Guide of Chroma, brought by the god of death.

Final Volume 2

1 : The Guide of Chroma

• Nagisa + Sakurako + Mine : It is good to see you again, Hanako
• Hanako : We at Trinity have historically been rife with conflict, but if there was any time for us to band together, it's now.
• A huge tower fell from the sky, obliterating Sanctum Tower in one fell swoop!
• Gematria has been destroyed. The Chroma has finally arrived in Kivotos. No, that's not the right way to describe it. I should say, it has "invaded" Kivotos.
• The wolf god has encountered the Chroma. Reversed into the realm of the Terror, she became the god of death who guides all living beings to the underworld. Guided by her inherent nature, she will lead the way in bringing about the end of this world. The Chroma knew this and secured her sublime before anything else.
• I thought of the Chroma as something incomprehensible, something with no will, desires, or goals. But I can see its goals and plans clearly. I couldn't fathom that the Chroma could have a will, make plans and take strategic actions to achieve goals. The Chroma seems to be trying to absorb every mystery, terror and sublime in Kivotos and make them its own.
• The six towers that appeared in Kivotos.. are like reversed Sanctum Towers. They're technologies established by the nameless gods. mysteries of the enlightenment that came into being even before the ancient times of this world. They'll spread the Chroma to this world to turn every nightmare and mystery in Kivotos into a terror-filled reality. As will the wolf god.
• "Then we'll stop it."
• It seems the reason the Chroma attacked Gematria with the god of all endings was to obtain Gematria's secrets and experimental findings. The path of Decagrammaton, the secret of Mimesis, Communio Sanctorum, the Library of Lore, the power of the nameless gods, and the abilities of the unknown guardians. And the Guide of Chroma now owns them all.
• A being that represents the will of the Chroma and which dictates all plans and purposes. You'll have to face Phrenapates.
• There are rumblings that the General Student Council will be making an emergency statement soon! The public wants the General Student Council to take action and take it now!
• Oh, oh! In the meantime, we have breaking news! Unidentified troops are appearing all over DU! What did you say?! They're attacking the city indiscriminately?! Do we know what organization they are under? It's an ambush!
• ... At last, an emergency statement from the General Student Council just arrived! No, correction! It's from Schale, not the General Student Council! An emergency statement from Schale arrived! H-Here's Sensei's message!
• "... Students, please evacuate as quickly as possible and do not approach the towers."
• (Take out your credit card)
• I'm warning you.
• If you keep using that card, you'll end up like us, Sensei. Heeheehee.
• Shiroko : "I just woke up here. I don't remember anything except my name"
• ...
• The GSC is essentially disintegrated. Even if I summon the other chiefs of staff, there's no guarantee they'll follow my instructions.
• But if Rin says so, we'll follow her to the ends of the universe.
• Kayoko : I guess I'm first. Well, it doesn't matter.
• Yuuka : I'm here! Proxy, this is our report analyzing the phenomenon. We weren't able to get much, but..
• Ako : I'm Amau Ako, the senior administrator of the Gehenna Prefect Team.
• Sensei left to protect DU. He'll be back soon. Sensei's gonna have a lot on his plate.
• Hanako : What an interesting gathering of people. Heehee. Long time no see, Yuuka.
• Ayane : I'm Okusora Ayane, representative of Abydos High School. I came to Schale at Sensei's request. - H-Hahaha.. Even Hanako is here. I hope you've been well.
• The situation might seem desperate, but we can't wallow in it. The only thing we can do is move forward.
• Everyone should have received the operation plan we prepared. Please take a moment to look it over.
• Ayane : When did you have the time to prepare so many documents? And it's so thorough.
• Hanako : Truly. Great work, Chief Officer.
• Rin : Rin is fine for now, Hanako. My authority as officer has been suspended. The proxy's authority has been suspended, the General Student Council has been disintegrated, and Sanctum Tower is in ruins.. Only Schale can take action.
• Ako : Well, that does simplify things at least.
• Yuuka : The General Student Council relies on Sanctum Tower too much. - Noa? I'm sending over the General Student Council's report. Can you take a look? And..
• Ayane : I'll cross-check whether there's a difference with the data obtained by the Foreclosure Task Force!
• One possible reference is to Mount Nisir, which is mentioned in the Epic of Gilgamesh, one of the earliest known works of literature. In the story, Mount Nisir is the place where the hero Gilgamesh's boat comes to rest after a great flood.
• Based on analysis, the towers must be destroyed within two weeks.
• Seia.. or rather, the Tea Party and Sisterhood cooperated with each other to exchange information, and we found interesting data by going through ancient texts in the old library.
• This is not prophecy, but my own experience, so I can say this with absolute certainty. What this phenomenon means is the Chroma is invading Academy City.
• Yes. The concept of the Chroma is also recorded in ancient texts kept by the Sisterhood. Simply put... it's the light that drives people to madness. The Engineering Department has been analyzing the sample data of the sanctum. They've detected a signal that can actually interfere with a person's brain. Exposure to this light seems to cause changes in a person's personality and conscious functioning. It seems to be some sort attack on the mind.
• Kotori : This is why it's necessary to interpret from different perspectives! So I brought books from the old library in Trinity! Where should I put them?
• I believe high energy contained in the towers. At this rate, it'll reach a critical point in about 300 hours. If we don't do anything, after going through a total of four mutations, the energy will eventually spread throughout all of Kivotos.
• Everything about this phenomenon matches the prophetic dream we had, Sensei.
• You had an apocalyptic prophecy? I mean, sounds like something that would happen at Trinity.
• About 300 hours.. so in two weeks the Chroma will spread all over Kivotos..
• "And the fragments of our ravaged world will rage like a storm, crumbling into pieces. At last, a black light will shine down. And Kivotos will fall. Not a trace of us or our home will remain."
• First, we need to find a way to revert anyone exposed to it.
• The energy of the sanctum in central DU is the greatest, so we should destroy the other five sanctums first and then deal with the central sanctum.
• We were able to approach a False Sanctum thanks to data left behind by Big Sister. Once there, we saw enemies guarding it. Powerful ones at that. They couldn't be handled with a normal level of strength.
• Toki, that's enough data. Don't push yourself too hard. Retreat.
• Decagrammaton's Third Prophet, Binah : Abydos Desert. The Mimesis animatronics at Slumpia, Shiro & Kuro : Abandoned Theme Park. Hieronymus of Communio Sanctorum : Border Area Between Trinity and Gehenna. Decagrammaton's Fourth Prophet, Chesed : Closed Millenium Outskirts Area. Eight's Prophet, Hod : New Town Near Millenium. It'll require a large-scale, allied operation to attack all six targets simutaneously.
• And I pinky promise to do exactly as Nagi and Seia say this time, so consider Trinity safe and sound.
• But in return, we want Chinatsu to come back to the Medical Emergency Club.
• It's like a big festival! Oops, I guess that's a bit inappropriate.
• No, you have the right idea! Our job will be supporting and managing a large crowd, just like a festival!
• Big Sister has obsessively prepared for any potential disaster at any moment. Her obsessions are toxic to the core, but it ends up being useful at times like these. We'll take safety in the shelters she has hidden all over Millennium.

3 : Planning an Operation

• The trans-desert railway was the project that accelerated the downfall of Abydos.
• I didn't know the trans-desert railway was owned by Saint Nephthys. And on top of that..
• Nonomi : .....
• In the James Bond novels and films, "Double O" refers to a special designation given to agents who have been granted a license to kill in the line of duty. The "00" prefix indicates that the agent has a "license to kill" and the "7" is James Bond's personal agent number.
• "Who cares. I've already healed?"
• It's a Rabbit Type 39 sniper rifle. Uses 7.62 by 54mmR bullets with a five-round feed internal magazine.
  • The 7.62x54mmR cartridge is a rimmed rifle cartridge that was introduced by the Russian Empire in 1891 for use in the Mosin-Nagant bolt-action rifle. It has since been used in a variety of firearms, including machine guns and sniper rifles, and is still in use by various militaries and civilian shooters around the world today. The "R" stands for "rimmed." This refers to the rim at the base of the cartridge case, which protrudes beyond the diameter of the case body. The presence of a rim allows the cartridge to be easily extracted from a firearm's chamber after firing, as the extractor can firmly grip the rim and pull the spent cartridge out. Here are some weapons that use the 7.62x54mmR cartridge: Mosin-Nagant bolt-action rifle: This was the standard service rifle of the Soviet Union and its allies during World War II and the early Cold War era; Dragunov sniper rifle (SVD): This is a semi-automatic sniper rifle developed in the Soviet Union in the 1960s; PK machine gun: This is a general-purpose machine gun developed in the Soviet Union in the 1960s; SVT-40 semi-automatic rifle: This was a Soviet semi-automatic rifle that was used during World War II; DP-28 light machine gun: This is a magazine-fed light machine gun that was used by the Soviet Union during World War II.
• I-I'm sorry! Aris isn't good at reading the room..
• We're exhausted. I'm sorry but we can't take on more.I need more sleep.. Actually, I just need more caffeine.. and Monster MAX. I wish I'd built up my stamina beforehand.
• Because your skills at driving tanks are unmatched, Hifumi.
• Sensei, you must direct all defensive and offensive operations through each operator.

The Operations

• Do your duty, each and every one of you!
• We rely on the president too much! This is exactly why people say that the Gehenna Prefect Team is nothing without Hina!
• People only think that because the president is so ridiculously strong, not because we're weak.
• What do you think the most important thing is to the Pandemonium Society?
• An idle life..?
• It's the voters! We've been working hard to keep the Gehenna students safe!
• Satsuki and the Pandemonium Society members led the students to the shelter. We were able to evacuate quickly thanks to their work.
• Kazusa to Reisa : I'm glad she seems fine..
• But.. the Justice Task Force looks like they're struggling.. so maybe they wouldn't mind the help.
• The L118 Light Gun is a towed howitzer artillery piece that is used by the British Army and other military forces. The L118 is a 105mm gun that can fire a variety of ammunition types, including high explosive, smoke, and illumination rounds. The L118 is designed to be lightweight and highly mobile, making it suitable for rapid deployment in a variety of operational environments. It can be towed by a range of vehicles and can be quickly assembled and disassembled for transport by air. It is also equipped with a computerized fire control system that allows for accurate and rapid targeting.
• I've never seen Nagisa away from her tea table before.
• Your foresight is gone.. but seems your other abilities have grown stronger.. Let's just say your sense have developed.
• Koharu : S-Soon..! Hasumi and the Justice Task Force will come for me... Just.. Just a little more.. I can do this!
• Koharu?! She's defending it alone? How did this happen?! I sent Koharu on an evacuation mission specifically to keep her safe! How could this have.. It doesn't matter! I'll go to her right now!
• But.. The number of troops is staggering.
• Then send reinforcements to the ruins cathedral! Immediately!
• Everyone deserves acknowledgement when they've done right.
• Lead the way, Hanako. We trust your command.
• Agreed. Hanako, we await your orders.
• If you don't mind, you can entrust your rear defense to us. I understand asking for your trust is a lot, but we could... We want to help.
• You know exactly who you're saying yes to. What is your motive here?
• You received a request for help from Sensei, just like we did. I cant say no to his decision. But more importantly, we both have a mutual friend who means the world to us, don't we? (Azusa?) That's why I trust the Arius Squad.
• It's a symbol of my resolution. I seek to let go of past hatred, to forge a new future for the council. For us all.
• (sigh) Sanctuary materials analysis.. data analysis.. and now the defense operation.. I wish there were ten of me...
• I continue to be accused of things I didn't do.. The burden of geniuses..
• Detonation complete! Hahahaha! The freeway is collapsing! Okay! Demolish every last building! Wahahaha! Yeah! Until we find hot springs beneath Millenium, we'll explode, demolish, and dig up this town to our heart's content!
• I'm sorry but I have to ask.. You didn't come to destroy the Millenium district under the guise of demolishing the Erosion Tower, did you..?
• There's absolutely no chance of there being hot springs in our district.. I'm sure you could have figured that out by analyzing the strata a little..
• Analysis? Look at the strata? You scholarly folks! You'll never develop hot springs with that kind of mindset! You feel it! You smell it! You must believe that the hot springs exist! Then the hot springs will answer! Hahaha!
• ....
• Is this the part where you finally tell me why we're here?
• Huh? You didn't know? We came blazing in at the last minute to save a friend in need! All for the ninjas Ibuki loves so dearly!
• Kekeke.. Don't underestimate my information network. I know everything that happens everywhere! Naturally, I was the first to know when the ninjas were assigned a dangerous meeting! If the ninjas were to get hurt, our dear Ibuki would be heartbroken!
• So.. You came all the way here to make Ibuki happy?
• Exactly! This is a great chance for me to get brownie points from Ibuki! I couldn't let go of this opportunity! Ever since the pudding incident, Ibuki won't even look me in the eyes, let alone talk to me!
• I mean, you ate Ibuki's favorite pudding behind her back.
• I thought it was your pudding!
• And it's okay if it's my pudding?
• Yup! I hated Makoto when that happened, but it's okay now! Makoto is the bestest!
• Kyahahaha! Did you hear that, Iroha? Save those ninjas right now!
• ....
• Yup! I didn't want my ninja sisters to get hurt! So I asked Makoto to take care of you guys!
• Seriously, I honestly thought this was the end of the Ninjutsu Research Club. I think I'm still sweating. Your timing couldn't have been better, Ibuki!
• Lastly is the sixth sanctum.. and we're still unsure of this guardian's identity. But based on the detected energy.. I believe this guardian will be more dangerous than the sum of all others combined.
• Red! We're getting paid extra for today's tasks! Just to remind you!
• Izumi : The last time I ordered delivery, I was told they couldn't deliver because interest rates were too high that quarter!
• ....
• I've accomplished my mission here.
• You're already finished..? I can send you the next target's coordinates now, then. Will that be okay?
• Yes, ma'am.
• Toki, are you looking after yourself as well? You've been working nonstop.
• I appreciate your consideration, Eimi, but there's still energy from the weapon left. I can continue fighting.
• Toki. Even if part of the nameless gods' technology was reflected in the abilities of Abi-Eshuh.. We were only able to utilize it because of the existence of the Fortress City of Eridu. It's unconventional, or, I should say.. in bad taste to use an entire city as a computing device for a reinforced exoskeleton.. But that's why it was able to achieve the performance it did. Rio's confidence in facing the princess of the nameless gods with Abi-Eshuh may not have been a pipe dream. But now that Eridu has been dismantled and only a shell of it remains, it can no longer perform at the same level as it did previously. Please tread carefully and treat it as an ordinary exoskeleton. Okay?
• Truly. Rio and Toki are similar in their clumsiness when it comes to other people

((つづく))