The Crisis World XX

Chap. 68: The Greatest Plan

"Enough to get there!"

Someone's shout grabbed our attention and looked directly at the source of the voice. Someone climbed up from the bottom of the stairs and casually walked into the middle of the fight the three of us.

An adult male with a tall, blonde stature with green irises was intent on stopping our fight.

"Who are you?"

The man did not answer me. He just looked at me with a serious and sharp look.

"Oi! I said who are you?!"

"Here Subject C—no, Satou Iraya .. stop your futile resistance."

"You .. are you also with them to arrest me? Then don't talk much anymore!"

Zwuush…

I then darted towards him. Passing through the surprised Ardenter and not even being able to react at my speed. I pointed my sword and tried to slash his neck.

But my attack stopped because I saw some people on the right and left side battered and unconscious.

"Me-Mei-senpai?! Kuromichi-san?! Koudou, Hira!"

I also broke my intention to attack him and then stood on the ground again with a distance close enough to him.

"What did you do to them?! Untie them?!"

"They're not all dead, I just knocked him out."

He looked at one of them, Mei-senpai, and then lifted her by pulling her hair. He then pointed it at me and he brought his hand closer to Mei-senpai's neck.

"Oi! Release her!"

"If it's not wrong, he's a new member of Black Rain, huh? Kurobane May …."

He watched his face for a while but did not keep his hands away from his neck.

"You know I'm very angry because of what Murasaki Oita did during the attack a few days ago? I don't think the death of one of your members is enough to avenge the lab's destruction."

Her hands were so close to Mei-senpai's neck that there was a slight scratch on her neck that gave off fresh blood. Damnit damnit! This isn't good.

I tried to get back on the dart, but before moving he said something to me.

"Whenever you move, my hand that has been attached to his neck will still cut his neck first. Think carefully, Satou Iraya."

"Tch!"

I then decided not to move too recklessly first and chose to wait for what he would do.

"Kurobane's life and death this May depends on your decision. No, from the very beginning the life and death of those around you depends on you. And before you failed, you let your classmates die."

"That's all because of you!"

"Because of me? Heh .. You just pretend you don't know, but you're the one who knows best, Satou Iraya. You are the cause of their death. If you're not here, then they won't die. You must have realized that, right?"

"No, not …."

Nah! It's not my fault. There's no way this is my fault. They killed him, so it's their fault. Right, it's their fault. But ... but ….

"You're guilty, too, you fool."

"Eh?"

Suddenly there was the exact same voice with my voice speaking to me. I looked at him and saw the figure of someone who looked exactly like me.

"Who are you?"

"I am you and you are me. We are both Satou Iraya."

He walked up to me and then stopped right next to me. I still don't understand and then talk again.

"No, I'm the real one. And you're just my copy."

"Make-up? How once you called yourself the real one is a clone. Well even though I admit there's some difference between me and you, but I think it's a good thing."

What the fuck? Shouldn't I be in the classroom aisle against those Assassins? But why am I suddenly in a place where I don't even know where I am. And even in front of me was someone who looked very much like me.

That guy who looks like me is putting out a shitty grin. I rarely even give such an expression. It turns out to be true, if he was just a clone.

"What do you mean by difference?"

"You're too naive, while I'm a person who thinks realistically."

"Naif? I'm not naive, I'm just optimistic!"

"That's what I meant. You just want everyone to be happy, when it's impossible. There must be something to be sacrificed in every decision. And with that 'optimistic' attitude of yours, you think you can save everyone. Who are you? Gods or something?"

He talked at length about senseless things. A fool like this, he's really not me.

"Then do you have a plan?"

"Of course I have."

He then extended his hand towards me and spoke again.

"Let me take your consciousness for a moment. I'll fight those Assassins."

"My consciousness?"

"You just watch from here. I've thought of the best plan for us right now."

I still don't believe it. I can't just entrust my body to him either. But on the one hand, I have no plans to fight them anymore. I don't know how to save Cecilia without getting Senpai and the others killed, and vice versa.

Should I trust him?

I looked at his face, it was no mistake that he looked so much like me. Then I saw his hand that was outstretched earlier. I slowly turned my hand to accept her hand.

But suddenly something implied in my mind that made me stop before shaking his hand. I then asked him that.

"'us'? Did you just say 'we'?"

"Right, I've thought of the best plan for us. So you take it easy and you can watch from here."

"What does that 'us' include saving Mei-senpai and the others?"

He was silent and did not answer my question. Even so he still extended his hand and after that started talking again.

"It's best for us, not for anyone else."

After he said that, I then brushed off his helping hand and then pulled his collar.

"Don't joke! I thought there was something strange about your offer!"

"You can't save everything. You have to choose one. DON'T THINK YOU'RE GREAT, DAMN IT !!!"

Duukkp…

He screamed and then banged his head against my head which made me fall backwards. After that he pulled my collar back and continued to shout at me.

"I told you your naive nature won't make you stronger!! You want to get stronger, don't you?! Then leave that stupidity of yours and think realistic a little!! Do you want the same thing that happened to me to happen again?!"

It made me remember my mother's death. He blamed me again, but it was not my fault.

"Don't bring my mother's death here!"

Baakkh…

I hit him in the face which made him take his hand off my collar.

"You should understand, my self. You won't be able to save anyone if you keep worrying like this."

"If you were me, you'd understand. Mei-senpai is a precious person to me, as are Kudou and Hira. Then Kuromichi-san is a valuable person to Herlin. I can't just let them all die!"

"Then do you have a plan after such a snob talk?!"

"I have."

"What?"

"I told you I had a plan! Unnecessary plan to sacrifice others. Oh my God, are you, or can I say this 'me? Ah it's the same! Now I'm sure you're me and not a copy."

"Where did that belief come from?"

I then pointed my fist towards his chest gently.

"You don't believe in yourself, so you're telling me to sit down and be quiet, right? I'll tell you one thing, myself …."

"… Believe a little in yourself, damn it."

She's speechless. His face was both shocked and confused as I spoke like that. He then took a few steps back and removed his confused expression. And then he started talking.

"Yet you got through it."

His body then gave off a bright light that dazzled the eyes. That greenish-colored radiance after a while of shining finally dimmed as well and displayed another figure from behind that light.

"You're really special, Iraya."

"Cecilia?! What was disguised as me just now was you?"

"It's not me completely, anyway. It could be said that it was the Spirit I gave you during the process of unification."

"Unification process?"

"When you feel the heat like it's burning and the stabbing pain it's because of that unification process. And it looks like the Spirit I gave you hasn't fully believed in you yet so you're suddenly in this place."

"This place …?"

"Yes, he wants to take control of you and take your consciousness. At first I wanted to help you like before, but there was no need. And now those Spirits already trust you completely, so you can use them as you please."

"So my iris turns orange because I'm a little bit united with you? Uh?! Cecilia, your eyes!"

I just realized that Cecilia's irises are gray and don't shine in her eyes anymore.

"You finally realized it, huh? Take it easy, I can still see even if not as well as I used to."

"Oh, yeah. I'm so grateful."

Cecilia smiled after hearing my words. But then I realized something that made me realize that I had to rush out of here.

"Oh yes! Aren't I fighting those Assassins? I also have to save Mei-senpai and the others! Cecilia, how do we get out of here?"

"Not to rush, here the time is slower than the outside world. If you're here ten minutes then outside of time you're only going for about five seconds."

"Good then—eh, not good! Even so I have to stay out of here!"

Cecilia chuckled a little because I was panicking. Shit, is the person who panics funny, huh? After laughing, he told me how to get out of here.

"Hah ... first focus your aura on your whole body and then imagine you blow it all over the room, that way you can get out of here."

"Yoh!"

Kraakk…

Little by little this room began to break down like fragile glass. Before I actually get out of here, I tell Cecilia my plan.

"Oh yes Cecilia, about my plan …."

I told Cecilia. But he looked surprised and not happy to hear it. But this is the best way to save everyone.

"Iraya, that plan …."

"I'm counting on you, Cecilia."

Prahaang…

The last fragment of the room was destroyed and I returned to the real world. The moment where I stood in front of the person who grabbed and pointed at Mei-senpai.

"Have you determined it yet, Satou Iraya?"

He asked me the same question. But this time I was different, I knew the answer. I then removed my sword and raised both my hands as a sign of surrender.

"All right, you can take me. But let go of the others."

"Good then."

He took his hand off Mei-senpai's hair and let it fall off just like that. I was a little angry with what he did but could still endure it. The important thing is that everyone here is safe and not killed.

"As per your promise, release the la—"

I haven't had time to finish my words, that guy hit me in the stomach so hard that it knocked me down. The punch was so loud that my head was dizzy and my vision became blurry.

"I leave it to you .., Herlin."

**

Moments before Iraya surrendered to Astaroth and the others, Herlin was still trying to get out of the cage Caramel had made when someone came.

"Hooaamm .. aren't they taking too long inside? What are they really doing?"

Caramel evaporates bored as all he does is wait for Ardenter and Delta to catch Iraya inside. Despite that, their duties were also no less important to Ardenter and Delta as they were tasked with detaining the other Black Rain members.

"Nimis, you take care of both of them? I want to go inside check on them."

"Don't joke! You can't maintain your aura if you're too far away from him, can you?"

"Y-Yes .. that's right."

"Then just wait here for a minute."

"Huh .. You're so boring, Nimis."

Although Caramel did not like what Nimis said, he did because he would be scolded by Astaroth if Herlin interfered with the arrest of Host Subject C.

"Then let me go inside."

Suddenly from outside the school gate came the voice of someone Herlin knew. He was so surprised when he saw his face. He recalled a bad memory when confronted with him during the laboratory attack a few days ago.

"Hmm ... Boss?"

"You two stay here doing your job. Let me go inside."

"Well ..if the boss says that, I can't protest anymore."

Caramel disillusionedly obeyed Astaroth's orders and went inside. Before leaving, he had a glance and looked directly at Herlin, but it did not last long and immediately walked into the school building.

Herlin involuntarily held his breath for quite a while because of her tension. After calming himself, he still continued his plan of digging the ground with the tip of his shoe.

So far the plan is running smoothly and has not experienced obstacles. Herlin carefully watched the surveillance of these two people who were slightly weakened.

Herlin was already able to drain his aura slightly, but that was still not enough. He needed a slightly greater access so that his aura could at least withstand the movement of at least one of them.

"Oh yes!"

Caramel suddenly shouted out which made Herlin who was in focus a little surprised. He then reached into his pocket and pulled out something. He showed it to Herlin with a feeling of pride.

"Do you know this?"

Caramel showed Herlin a panda-shaped keychain. He who saw it certainly remembered the keychain, but why it could be in his hands.

"Why ... could it be in your hands?"

"Of course it was Satou Iraya who gave it to me!"

"Long …."

"Ara, ara ..., what's wrong? Are you so surprised?"

Herlin was silent. He did not respond to the provocation of Caramel, instead he thought of something else. Herlin recalled that Iraya wanted to give her something, but somehow it didn't. So what he wants to give you is that keychain.

"Nortus …. You're really stupid" Herlin murmured.

"What's up, what's up? Are you so surprised you can't say anything?"

Degh's…

"W-What the fuck is this …?"

"I thank you for your stupidity, Caramel. My job's easier."

Suddenly Caramel's body became stiff and unable to move. He tried to let go but it was free. Caramel is already entangled in Herlin's Mind Power.

"You shouldn't be able to use your aura outside this box. But why …."

"Think about it yourself. Now it's time for revenge."

Greb…

"AbokKkhh …!!"

Caramel's screams that occur along with the sound of cracks in his ribs caused by Herlin's ability to press him beyond Caramel's endurance.

The transparent box made by Caramel disappeared while he was in pain. Without wasting the opportunity, Herlin immediately put himself behind Caramel and made him a hostage.

He plans to exchange Caramel for Hasuki-san. Because the distance with Nimis was quite far, if Nimis was closer, Herlin would attack him immediately. But for now, this is the best option.

Nimis who saw that instantly held Hasuki-san tighter and pointed her sword even closer to Hasuki-san's neck which made her even more frightened.

"Take him off!" bully Herlin.

"I should have said that!"

The two of them were both unwilling to budge and waited for one of them to release their hostages.

"Ri-risaka-san .. help me …."

"You just shut up!"

"Yeah!"

Hasuki-san tried to call Herlin's name but it was useless. This made Herlin even more angry and impatient. He then pressed Caramel's body even harder which made him even more in pain.

"BranknBh …!!"

Fresh blood started pouring from Caramel's mouth as a result of Herlin's attack. Even so, Nimis still had no intention of letting go of Hasuki-san.

"Your friend could die, Nimis-san. Quickly release Hasuki-san right now!"

"AhHhakhh …!!"

More and more blood came out of Caramel's mouth. His eyes had lost a bit of light, indicating that he had begun to lose consciousness.

Silence assaulted the two of them for a while, but their vigilance had not dropped at all. And in the end Nimis sighed and slightly relaxed his sword stance on Hasuki-san's neck.

"All right," said Nimis.

Herlin also slightly relaxed his strength in order to make Caramel not be out of breath to death. And after getting a little air to speak, though stammering with blood mixed in his words, Caramel spoke to Herlin.

"Hehehe .. You made two big mistakes, Ririsaka Herlin. First of all, that person was not my friend and I never considered him a friend. Then the second …."

His speech stopped slightly due to coughing and vomiting blood that he let out. But Caramel still continued his words.

"… The second one is, he doesn't care about my life at all!"

Hearing that, Herlin immediately looked towards Nimis who was already preparing to slash Hasuki-san's neck.

"He's right, I don't care about his life."

Craassh…

A torrent of blood spewing out from Hasuki-san's neck along with Hasuki-san's eyes that were wide in shock. Without a second thought, Herlin immediately unleashed his ability on Caramel and ran towards Hasuki-san who started collapsing to the ground.

"HASUKI-SAN !!"

Jamb…

Herlin who lost his composure became careless and involuntarily, his left waist was bleeding as if being pierced by something. He looked at the wound and realized that what pierced it was a sharp solid transparent aura.

"That's my reply, damn it."

Herlin collapsed to the ground while holding onto his wound which continued to bleed. Even so, he still tried to drag his already weak body towards Hasuki-san's body which started to turn pale and there was a pool of blood underneath.

"Remain .. Hasuki .. san."

He had not yet reached Hasuki-san's body, his consciousness had already disappeared first and only his hand had reached Hasuki-san's palm.

Meanwhile, Nimis, who had finished finishing Hasuki-san, threw her Katana down to clean up the remaining blood belonging to Hasuki-san and then sheathed it again.

Soon Ardenter, Delta, and Astaroth came quickly to Nimis and Caramel. They brought Iraya who was unconscious.

"Are you guys done here?" ask Astaroth.

"Yes, then what do they want us to do?"

Nimis looked at the corpses of Hasuki-san and Herlin who were fainting while covered in blood.

"Just leave them, we need to get the hell out of here before their reinforcements come."

"Good."

Ardenter who saw Caramel injured lying on the ground then carried him like carrying a princess.

"Take me off! I don't want to be carried by you!"

"Who will carry you! I had to do it!"

Although he was fussy, but Ardenter still forced to carry him and the Assassin group left the school area. Their abduction of Subject C was successful.

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