Washio 7+8

Chapter 7: Promise


It was after I became ■■ that I learned ■■■.
That in the past, it wasn't ■■■■■■ that inflicted pain onto ■■■ but ■■■■■■■■.
And that the origin for that was ■■■ from the start.
It's a bit similar to the story of ■■■■'s ■■, I thought.

Hero Record 298.9.21







The girls were cleansing their bodies in the waterfall.
The waterfall flowing nearby the holy tree, was off limits to everyone save for a few high ranked members in
Taisha.
[Hyaa~! so cold so cold~]
[Sonocchi, calm down]
[Eh? what was that? I can't hear you over the sound of the water]
[We're meeting Shinju-sama, we need to sharpen our minds, Sonocchi]
[Yeah. Good thing it's still the hot season though. I wouldn't want to enter a waterfall during winter~]
[I don't particularily mind, since i bathe in cold water every morning]
[Uwa~, I thought you were mature but that's a whole different level. You're like a Monk in training, Wasshi~]
[I highly recommend you try it as well, Sonocchi. It's good for both body and mind]
[I will thoroughly consider your offer]
Era of the gods, year 298 - Autumn.
Sumi and Sonoko, having received their Hero system upgrade, will be meeting the holy tree for a "greeting".
The Washio and Nogi households have great authority within Taisha, they are allowed direct contact with the holy
tree in times of emergency.




Sumi and Sonoko stood before the holy tree.
It grows huge during forestization, but it's usually not that big a tree.
[...]
The girls were overwhelmed by its majestic aura.
Being a tree, it wasn't gonna speak. But its presence was so magnificient you'd instinctively get on your knees.
In this new era, the holy tree was the source of all blessings.
It is because of its presence, because its roots extend throughout the land, that crops bear fruits and fish swim
about in this world, surrounded by a wall.
This world cannot survive without the Holy tree.
Thus, people named this time the Era of the Gods.
(In order to protect mankind from the deadly virus spreading throughout the world, many local Gods combined,
became the holy tree...enclosed Shikoku with a wall, put up a barrier...)
The end of the christian era, and the start of the new one.
Sumi was reminded of the holy tale of the birth of the tree that they were taught.
Even Sonoko was feeling nervous.
Having received the Miko's permission, the two touched the tree.
This was the first time they were this close to it.
[Shinju-sama's pretty warm, wasshi~]
Sonoko regained her composure after touching the tree. Fearsome but also strangely warm.
[...]
Sumi nervously touched the tree.
[...What's wrong Wasshi~? are you okay?]
Sonoko said as she noticed her partner's state.
[....Something is...flowing into my head....Uu...Kuh....What is this...?]
[Eh...? Into your head...? You mean you're talking to Shinju-sama?!]
[I...Don't know]
An endlessly extending sky flashed into Sumi's mind.
At that moment, she lost consciousness.



Waking up.
[...This is...Home?]
[Ah, Wasshi~ you woke up! Thank god]
[Sonocchi]
[How are you feeling~?]
[hn...]
Sumi got on her feet, and tried moving her body around.
There were no abnormalities.
[I'm fine. Actually hungry]
[Phe~w, thank god. I was so worried i lied down and fell asleep next to you~]
[You fell asleep? not that there's anything wrong with that]
[You fainted right after you touched Shinju-sama]
[Yes...I felt something entering my head...Like endless stars falling...Then I got dizzy...]
[Stars? The stars in the sky?]
Sumi nods.
[That was an oracle, Washio-san]
The homeroom teacher was standing by the door.
[Sensei, you came all the way here. I'm sorry for making you worry...]
[Washio-san not only has the aptitude to become a hero, but you can also become a Miko, passing the will of
Shinju-sama]
[Me, a Miko...]
[Uwa~  you're so amazing Wasshi~! Your coordination strength exceeds that of Akechi Mitsuhide from the old era~]
[...You know who that is?]
[Ehehe, somehow]
[Cough. It certainly is amazing, even for a direct decent of the Washio, however]
[However?]
[The contents of the visions are worrying. What you saw was an image of stars falling from the sky, right? And it
wasn't just one, but a large number of them...!]
[Y-yes]
Sumi gulped at the rare sight of her teacher's tension.
[How were the stars falling? up close or in the distance?]
[They fell so close, it was pretty scary]
[That's an emergency message, indicating there will be an enemy attack in the very next few days]
[!!]
[To begin with, they were supposed to have come by now...Looks like they were preparing to attack all at once]
Sumi and Sonoko stared at eachother.
[What else did you see? By analyzing the specifics we can have more details. For example, the number of stars is
said to indicate the number of enemies]




Based on Sumi's testimony, it was concluded that in the next few days, there will be a multi-Vertex attack.
The same pattern as the time Gin had to sacrifice herself.
[Look like it's the final battle~]
[There's nothing to be scared of...We completed our new Hero system training. We also have new weapons and more
firepower]
Sumi says, as if trying to convince herself.
[I will still be using a spear, but you have it rough Wasshi~, with your weapon changing]
[I've been tinkering around with "Shirogane" for quite a while, so my body got used to it. It's gonna be fine]
Shirogane, written with the kanji for Gin (銀/Silver), is the name Sumi gave her new weapon.
By naming the weapon after her friend, she would pump herself up.
[So, have you decided what we're gonna do until the battle~?]
Taisha allowed the heroes to spend their time as they wished until the next battle, following the last oracle.
[I think, I'll do as usual, go to school, study, talk to everyone, hang out with Sonocchi...]
[Me too~]
[I mean, after we defeat the enemy we're just gonna go back to our normal lives]
[Yep, there's no need to break our rhythm for no reason~]
Even if multiple enemies were coming, Sumi and Sonoko were confident they could drive them away.
After the loss of Minowa Gin, the new Hero system was developed with the idea of preventing the heroes from
dying.
A new addition, was the "faeries", said to be clones of the holy tree.
One for each hero, they're meant to protect them from Vertex attacks.
Furthermore, by using their powers as heroes, energy would build up, allowing them to use a new ability called
"Mankai".
It is said that one's strength during Mankai is equal to a God's.
By going Mankai many times, they would level up as heroes, or so Sumi and Sonoko were told.
With the protection of the faeries and the power of Mankai.
The new Hero system not only had basic power-ups, but came with all these new features.
The girls had spent their everyday training to be able to use those powers.
That was the basis for their self-confidence.
[We've trained hard everyday, we're gonna be fine]
[Yep, we'll go Mankai and blow the enemy out of the water~]
Even with all the new power-ups, they were still slightly anxious.
But there heroes weren't alone.
They had their partner by their side, and Gin inside their heart.
Sumi and Sonoko decided to spend their next few days as always.
[Speaking of which, you didn't have any manga in your room Wasshi~]
[But I did]
[All you had was war stories of the old era. Those are like textbooks~]
They switched to their everyday conversations.




5 in the morning.
Sumi went to bathe in the well, in the backyard.
[I wonder if Sonocchi's doing the same. No, she definitely wouldn't...I bet she's still asleep]
She was in a pleasant mood, thinking of her friend so early in the morning.
After cleansing her body, she fed the fish she got from the festival and went on a walk to the shrine.
The cats on the shrine grounds were energetic as usual.
[Jiroumaru, Saburoumaru. I'm doing my best]
Sumi calls out to the cats by the names she selfishly gave them.
They still responded with a meow.
After returning home, Sumi started preparing for breakfast.
[Sumi, you know you don't have to make breakfast anymore?]
[That won't do. If you switched back to toast my day would be ruined. Rice for breakfast, udon for lunch,
Botamochi as a snack and rice for dinner. That is my ideal.]
[I promise I'll make something you like. I could even have Taisha send in a traditional restaurant chef]
[That's some amazing special treatment]
[Your duty is that important]
[But, we're not the only ones with a duty. Everyone has their job they're working for. Being treated so special
as if we're singlehandedly to thank for this peace...]
[...You are special, you're a Hero chosen by Shinju-sama. You should feel proud.]
[...]
[Ah...sorry for bringing this up. I'm going now. Put in a lot of meat, Sumi]
[No can do. You're getting extra vegetables, mom.]
[Why!! It's so good in the morning]
[You need to eat well and balanced, mom]
In spite of their rank as Washio. Sumi loved the combination of her frank mother and strict father.
The two of them combined made a perfectly balanced couple.
[...Still, I get the feeling all the ingredients have been nothing but expensive stuff. This is the first time I
see a clam this big]
[They're for you, from Taisha]
[Taisha again...Is it really okay?]
[It's fine]
Sumi's mother petted her head.



[It's been like that since morning. Was it the same at your house too, Sonocchi?]
[We got a lo~t of stuff. They even said they'll be sending Kimonos next~]
[Special treatment....huh]
Shinju-kan. Class 6-1.
Sumi was chatting with Sonoko next to her.
Even after they changed seats, they ended up next to eachother.
Sonoko hoped she'd be close to Sumi, and it ended up happening.
Must be the will of Shinju-sama.
Sonoko was drowsing off during class.
The teacher would send her to stand outside if she spotted her.
That sort of education was allowed in the new era, to a certain degree.
Sumi subtly shook her awake.
(That was close, thanks Wasshi~)
(Seriously, you never change Sonocchi. As a leader, you should be more careful...)
[Washio-san, what are you whispering about?]
[Ha...I-I'm sorry]
[Next time you'll stand outside]
[Yes...]
(Don't let it get to you, Wasshi~)
(...)
(Awawa, your eyes are scary~)
It was time for lunch.
Sumi and Sonoko weren't on cafeteria duty, so they stood in line as usual.
Brown sugar buns and Zhajiangmian, Hijiki Kakiage, Mini-tomato and orange juice were being served.
[Oh?]
Sumi felt a discomfort.
Hijiki Kakiage is known for being an exquisite side dish, and her plate clearly contained one more than the
others.
When she looked over at the boy who served her, he gave her a thumbs up.
"I'm not sure about the details, but do your best"
She got his message.
He was rooting for her inside his heart.
The old Sumi would probably have returned the extra food.
But the current her thankfully accepted it.
During lunch break, she and her classmates played by drawing on the blackboard.
[Nogi-san, your drawings are...Surreal...]
[Ehehe, really~?]
Since the time during the school trip, everyone knew that Sonoko's artistic sense was impossible for others to
reproduce.
[You can tell they're pretty good, but they're a bit crazy...hmm, Nogi-san, you're the Picasso of Shinju-kan]
[I'm glad~]
[Washio-san is just simply good. What kind of boat is this you're drawing?]
[It's the Second Shoukaku Class aircraft carrier warship, Zuikaku]
[Eh, uuh...I don't really get it but it's good. It looks pretty real]
[I'm trying to draw it as close to reality as possible]
[Wasshi~ draws the body, while I draw the soul~]
The classmates admired Sonoko, as she said something of the sort.




After school, the two headed to the shopping mall, Ines.
This place was the symbol of an everyday life for the two of them.
Sumi and Sonoko knew their way around the place after the Ines Master, Gin had showed them around.
Gin had taught them about all kinds of cool spots, such as the arcade machine on the 4th floor where you can play
a super long game for only 50 yen, or the place on the 3rd floor community center where you can sit down and
relax.
[Wasshi~ What time is it right now?]
[5:20, we still have 10 more minutes]
They always went to the food court on the first floor past 5:30.
At that time, the part-timer shifts would change, and the kind lady in charge would always give them extra.
That was not the case on Saturdays though.
But rather than worrying about money, the two enjoyed moving according to their battle plan.




Sonoko stopped in front of the 100 Yen shop.
[Look, they have new stuff in the toys corner~]
[You're right]
[The party goods section has been enhanced too~]
A sign read "Please try it for yourself".
[It's autumn, so they must have brought in new stuff in preparation for the pumpkin festival]
[It's called Halloween, not pumpkin festival~. ah, this top hat would look great on you. You should learn a
pigeon magic trick]
[You should put on this sparkly one and dance, Sonocchi]
They tried them for themselves, just like the sign said.



The food court was filled with students and families.
[Hmm. Soy Sauce flavored gelato really doesn't feel right to me]
[Ahahah, Mino-san is not pleased]
[Sonocchi, let me have some of your Vanilla one]
[Wa! Wasshi~ took mine~!]
[Fufu...]
Sumi had already mastered the skill of stealing other people's gelato.
[I have become stronger]
Sumi nodded to herself.
[Now is my chance, while you're distracted~]
Sonoko swiftly stole the soy sauce gelato from Sumi's hand.



[Uwa~, sundown looks so pretty~]
[I wonder if Vertex are coming today]
[Who knows~. maybe they'll come while we're taking a bath~]
[That would be rough]
Sumi and Sonoko dropped by the seaside park at the end of the day.
During the old era, this park was a memorial for the completion of the Seto Grand bridge. It had a great view of
both the Seto sea and bridge, making it a popular sightseeing spot.
It was an everyday sigh for the locals, but it evoked a special feeling in Sonoko and Sumi.
[Say, Wasshi~]
[What's wrong Sonocchi, suddenly?]
[Thank you~. I am so glad I met you guys. I'll be in your care]
[...Sonocchi]
Sumi took a deep breath.
[...I am the one who should be thanking you]
Sumi's words, like Sonoko's expressed her gratitude towards her friends.
They've been through so much together, the first enemy attack included.
None of them would have been able to bear the burden alone.
[I'll be in your care too, Sonocchi]
[Yeah...]
A fresh sea breeze blew between the two of them.
And then it stopped.
[....! This is]
[...They're here~. My watch is frozen]
Time halted.
The enemy was attacking.
Shikoku turned into a Jukai by the power of the holy tree.
[Still, the Vertex were slightly more considerate this time around. We were able to enjoy our day]
[We're in top form too]
The twilight sky had forestized.
The two knew they would be facing multiple enemies.
Despite that, their hearts were overflowing with courage.
[Wasshi~, I'm counting on your support]
[Leave it to me]
[I would have liked for us to do the back-to-back pose though~]
[I also would have preferred to have you by my side]
Due to the nature of their weapons, the two had to fight away from eachother.
[Take this then, Wasshi~]
Sonoko undid her ribbon and gave it to Sumi.
[Thank you. I'm feeling safer already]
She grasped her friend's ribbon tightly.
[You can put it on if you want~]
[I'll do it when the fight's over. Praise it if it looks good on me, Sonocchi]
[Okay!]
The attackers are vertex, the natural enemy of mankind.
The defenders are the two heroes chosen by the gods.
Era of the Gods, Year 298.
The renowned "Battle of the Seto Grand Bridge" was about to begin.



        ------------------------------------------ Chapter 7 End ------------------------------------------




Chapter 8: Friends

By ■■■■ our bodies to Shinju-sama, we are able to continue fighting.
That is, a very commendable thing...
My parents said, as they cried.
Wasshi~...no, you're ■■■■-san now.
I'm glad you got off better than I did.

Hero record 298.10.11






Vertex, mankind's natural enemy had launched their attack.
Shikoku had been transformed by the power of the holy tree.
An egg shaped faerie came out of the terminal and flew besides Sumi.
[This is my faerie...Support for us heroes]
[Yours is so round and cute, Wasshi~. Mine is~]
Sonoko manipulated her terminal.
[Here it is. A crow~]
[Sonocchi, please refer to it as it is, a Crow Tengu...There's a big difference between one and a normal crow.]
[Ah, is that so~? Let's do our best, mister crow Tengu~]
Looking at Sonoko's usual carefree attitude, Sumi noticed her tension had been lifted as well.
(Sonocchi...My dear friend. I will definitely protect you)
[Alrighty then, let's change~]
[Understood, Sonocchi!]
Sumi and Sonoko transformed into their hero forms in the midst of the forestized world.
At the same time, Sumi's new weapon materialized.
It was what's been referred to as a Sniper Rifle since the old era.
This is the result that's been achieved, seeking a higher fire output than a bow.
From the moment she was informed of the change, Sumi has been training with firearms so much that her body got used to them.
The bullets used were also especially made for Hero-use.
[Shirogane's so cool~]
Sonoko had great expectations of the weapon named after her friend.
[You can rest assured while fighting, I won't let anything get close to you]
[Yep! Sniper Wasshi~ is so cool]
The two headed towards the bridge.



[Three Vertex...]
Sumi taking a sniping stance, marked the enemies.
The updated Hero system came with a radar, labeling enemies and allies.
It was so they could tell if any were hiding.
A long and thin eel shaped Vertex of the Aries constellation.
A much larger Leo constellation Vertex. Big as a mountain.
Even Sonoko, who didn't have a long-distance scope could clearly see it.
The huge Vertex didn't move though. It imposingly stood still, just slightly past the wall.
The last one was a Pisces Vertex.
It was nowhere to be seen, but the radar indicated it was swimming around at high speed in the waters near the wall.
It felt like it could get close in an instant, if you let your guard down.
Sumi braced herself.
(To think the Vertex were being named after constellations...)
In the oracle, they were portrayed as stars.
It was contradictory, that a being born from the Virus plagued earth would take the image of a star.
But Taisha only taught them how to fight, and never gave a conclusive answer when it came to deeper matters.
They must be hiding something.
(At any rate, defeating the enemy comes first now)
Sumi cleared her mind and focused on sniping.



Aries was advancing alone, with eerie disturbing movements, towards the bridge.
Sonoko took her spear in hand in preparation.
Her weapon remained the same as before.
(Sonocchi took her stance, initiating support fire)
Even with her rifle, The Leo Vertex by the wall was too far for Sumi to reach.
She instead fired at the one approaching.
Her shot accurately hit what appeared to be its brain, staggering and stopping its advance.
(I was able to stop its movement with a single hit...This really is a remarkable power up!)
Sonoko charged at the immobilized enemy, and with her spear started hacking away at its joints with extreme precision, cutting them into pieces.
[Waa~ This has become so sharp~]
Sonoko was surprised by her new power as well.
The scattered pieces of Aries started wriggling in a suspicious manner.
[Regeneration? eh, no! This is~]
A seperate body started growing from each of the cut pieces.
Aries' ability was multiplication.
It was split into 6, so the number of enemies incrased by 6.
[It gets healed and multiplies~ That's cheating~]
Sonoko swung her spear blocking the incoming attacks.
[Kuh...To think it was hiding such a power]
Sumi resumed firing.
One of the split pieces violently tried to tackle Sonoko.
At that moment her faerie appeared and blocked the attack.
The shock pushed her back, but thanks to her faerie she took no damage.
[Waa~ This is the faerie barrier? It's amazing~ I felt nothing at all~]
Sumi was also surprised by its capability.
And at the same time, understood why the Hero system couldn't be mass produced.
You can't make something this powerful so easily.
That being said, in addition to consuming stamina, there was no way of knowing when an enemy attack capable of breaking through the barrier might hit.
They were in no way invincible.
They couldn't let their guard down.
Aries lunged at Sonoko all at once.
[That won't work anymore~!]
Sumi shot them and Sonoko cut them down.
But more enemies were born from the cut parts.
Sumi's faerie, Aobouzu pointed at her terminal.
On the screen, only one target was marked as Aries.
[I see. There was still one main body, the rest were merely clones]
Sonoko noticed the same thing by fighting the enemy.
She could clearly sense from the their movements that only one boss existed.
But that one body was heavily protected by the clones, so she couldn't get to it easily.
It was frustrating, but at that moment a bullet went through the clones and hit the main body.
[As expected of Wasshi~. You understood before I even said anything~]
Sonoko said as she swung her spear.
Having its trick revealed, and in face of the two's attacks the Aries Vertex was being pushed back towards the wall.
[Alright~. That's one down]
While fighting the enemy, the flower petal seal carved on Sumi's body had filled completely.
By using their hero powers, that petal seal, aka "Mankai Gauge" would fill up.
When it's on max, they can use Mankai to level up and increase their power.
Sonoko's gauge was almost filled too.
(With this we can use Mankai, our trump card)
To this point, everything was going as planned.
Two enemies remain.
At that moment, the Leo giant started advancing.
As if it had been observing their fight against Aries.
Leo's movements were a bit strange, it did not move on the bridge but instead followed it along as it flew atop the water.
The radar also showed Pisces charging straight at Sonoko underwater.
Sonoko averted her attention towards the sea.
Pisces emerged with a rumble.
Sumi's fired at the flying behemoth.
Sonoko lunged at Pisces as well.
The enemy was easily staggered by Sumi's precise shooting.
The other one was cut in half and fell back into the water.
The heroes' focus switched to Pisces and at that moment, Leo fired a gigantic laser beam.
[!?]
The attack wasn't meant for Sumi, but the glowing target in the distance. The holy tree.
[Wha...?!!]
Sumi was terrified when she realized that fact.
However, the beam dissipated before reaching the tree.
It was still too far away.
Leo advanced further in attempt to close the distance.
That shot just now must have been a test fire.
The next attack will most likely destroy the tree, after minor adjustments.
Such firepower has to be stopped at all costs.
[Time to use that! Mankai!!]
Sumi released its power.
A flower bloomed over the great Seto bridge.
[Waa~, Giant Battleship Wasshi~!]
Sumi's Mankai, had a large number of giant mounted canons. It was focused on firepower output.
As Sonoko mentioned, it had the ability to fly.
Sumi floated towards Leo and unleashed hellfire upon it.
[Incredible...This is Mankai~]
With a power able to flatten a moutain.
The giant Vertex, unable to withstand it, collapsed into the depths of the sea.
Sumi landed near Sonoko on the bridge.
[The two of them both sank into the sea...]
[I wonder if they'll just turn tail and leave now~]
Looking over at the radar.
It still showed the enemy markers.
They'll probably resurface once they finish regenerating.
Sumi's Mankai was released.
In a shower of petals, she returned to her usual form.
[Looks like we can't stay in Mankai for too long]
[You were amazing though~. I'm gonna need an autograph later]
[You should try using it too...?!]
Sumi suddenly collapsed on her knees.
[W...What's wrong, Wasshi~?]
[...? I can't....I can't move my legs]
[Eh? Why is that~? Were you hit?]
[! The Vertex are moving again!]
The beasts, having finished regenerating started moving again.
Leo resurfaced and advanced towards the tree.
[This time it's my turn to use Mankai~. I'm leaving my back to you Wasshi~]
[Yes, I can still fire my rifle even in my current state]
Sonoko cut down the Pisces Vertex right as it came out of the water.
[It's filled! Mankai~]
Once again, a large flower blossomed over the Seto Great bridge.
[Wa~. My spear feels so much stronger!]
The number of floating blades on the spear's tip increased.
[Ooo~ Look at this, I can easily manipulate each one of the blades too~]
Opposite to Sumi's raw power up, it much more fit the swift and agile Sonoko.
[Alrighty~. Time to take down the big one!]
[I got you covered]
Leo had no chance to fire its beam, thanks to Sonoko's flurry of attack and Sumi's support fire.
Sumi's Mankai gauge was being filled again.
(While one of us is in Mankai, the other can restore their gauge. This way one of us will be constantly in Mankai, assuring our dominance!)
Sumi quickly grasped the way to use Mankai.
Leo was certainly huge and powerful, but this way guaranteed victory.
Sonoko's attacks sunk the Vertex into the sea once more.
[Should I follow it down~?]
[No, The other one is there too...If it is as its name suggests then it must be really strong underwater; It's too dangerous.]
The enemies were cooperating as well.
Leo might have taken this approach for that same reason too; to be able to retreat and regenerate.
Not even the faeries could protect the heroes if they let their guard down.
Sonoko's Mankai released.
[Alright~ I hope they've learned their lesson]
[They're still not moving, according to the radar. How persistent...]
[Hmm...The radar.....huh....?]
Sonoko started rubbing her eyes.
[What's wrong?]
[I can't see...From one of my eyes~]
[Eh?]
Sumi was startled.
She still couldn't move her legs.
[Could it be...an enemy ability? By taking damage it cast some kind of curse on us?]
[But we have the power of Shinju-sama on our side, would something like that really work? Also the faeries should be able to protect us~]
[Why then....]
Sumi turned over and looked at the holy tree.
It was brightly shining, like always.
(If it's not an enemy attack, then~...)
Once again, Pisces and Leo started moving.
Taking advantage of the girls' exhaustion, they planned to take the fight over the sea if they tried chasing them down.
[I'll take the Leo! Mankai!!]
[Ah! Wasshi~!]
Sumi had already transformed.
[What's wrong?]
[No, it's nothing. I'll fill up my gauge on the Pisces~]
Even with her legs unable to move, Sumi was able to fly her warship.
She went after the colossus again.
[This time I won't hold back. I will completely destroy it!]
The Vertex fired a beam of light.
[Too weak!]
Firepower Vs Firepower.
Sumi's shots completely eradicated the enemy's.
She couldn't possibly lose after Mankai.
[I will defeat it before it shoots at Shinju-sama!! OOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!]
Sumi let out a war cry, and focused all her power on shooting down the Vertex.
Once again, the giant's body tilted down.
[I can't stop attacking here. I'll obliterate it before it runs to the depths!!]
The Leo appears to be some sort of Supreme commander to the other Vertex.
It clearly had a completely different feel than the rest. And also seemed to give instructions to the other two.
The battle would end the moment this one goes down, Sumi thought with confidence.
She mustered her strength as she continued firing.
The majestic figure was being torn to shreds.
[One...more Push....]
Sumi's Mankai reached its limit.
The petals started falling. <----(The word Sange was used here for the first time)
[Just...One more attack...!!]
Sumi got even closer to the Leo.
At that moment, she saw something resembling a burning sun.
[That's...the core...its vital spot!!]
The instant she prepared launch her final attack, the core mysteriously gleamed and attacked Sumi.
[....?!!]
Sumi was blown away, in her surprise.
Leo's body sank into the sea a third time.
[Wasshi~!!]
Sonoko rushed over to Sumi, lying on the bridge.
She lost consciousness due to the impact, but the faerie had completely blocked the attack. Sumi herself was unharmed.
Sonoko sighed in relief.
At that moment, the ground shook.
[An earthquake...? No, This is~....!]
Pisces was ramming the bridge's foundations underwater.
Vertex were known for only attacking humans. In order to get to the girls, it did something unexpected.
This was a first.
[The Seto bridge...is collapsing?]
Sonoko carried Sumi in her arms, and jumped to land.
She put her down, without trying to wake her up.
She, who proved to be extremely bright when it counts, saw through everything.
Mankai, and the cost that comes with it.
The ugly part of the Hero system.
Knowing that, there was no more reason to wake Sumi up.
It should be enough, with her alone using Mankai.
Leo and Pisces resurfaced again. It was clear they were playing an attrition war.
Except, Leo didn't feel as threatening as before.
[Wasshi~ wore it down pretty well. Thanks to her efforts I will do just fine by myself now~]
Sonoko felt proud.
She shouted.
[MANKAI!!]
The large flower bloomed.
To protect her friend, and everyone else.
Infinite power flowed through her.
[Guts!! That's what being a hero's all about. Isn't that right, Mino-san~!]
And then she charged at the Vertex.




That day, a big cataclysm befell Shikoku.
2 had perished, 12 injured.
Any damage caused during forestization reflected on the real world.
The victims were a couple that worked for Taisha.
They managed to evacuate the citizens, but they themselves couldn't get to safety in time and died.
It was also reported that the Seto great bridge was destroyed beyond repair during the disaster
By the time their homeroom teacher made it there, the two girls were being transported.
Sonoko was completely unconscious.
[the Hero - Nogi had used Mankai for an unknown number of times, but from her state it appears to be more than 10...We believe she might never walk again]
[It was not in vain. She managed to drive the enemy away. Carry her with care.]
Sonoko was taken by men from Taisha.
Her teacher saw her off with mixed feelings.
Right about then.
[Uu.....ah]
[Washio-san?!]
Washio Sumi opened her eyes.
[You're awake. Can you hear me? see me? Washio-san?]
[.....]
[...What's wrong?]
[....I...I am....eh, huh?!]
[Washio-san?!]





After further discussion at Taisha HQ, and according to the oracle, it was concluded that Vertex won't be coming back for a while.
Still, be it one year or two years later, these monsters will definitely come back and attack the holy tree.
A countermeasure had to be put in place before then.
A way to actually defeat them, and not simply drive them away.
It is at times like this that mankind evolves rapidly.
Taisha came up with a possibility to destroy Vertex, from the girls' battle records.
The core of the Leo that Sumi gouged out.
Taisha referred to that as a "soul".
They understood that the Vertex were built around that soul.
It simply needed to be pulled out and destroyed somehow.
That should prevent their regeneration.
The updated Hero system with faeries and Mankai was capable of doing so, based on the last battle.
Though it might still require some fine tuning.
Another problem, was the low number of heroes.
According to a Taisha operative, there were no more children with enough aptitude.
As a final resort, they will have the tree pick heroes from the entire country.
It will not be disclosed, obviously.
Revealing the existence of Vertex would throw the world into panic.
The people living peacefully under the holy tree's protection, did not need to know the cruel truth of the world.
A Shikoku nationwide examination was used to choose the girls with the highest aptitude to become Heroes.
Members of Taisha were dispatched, to assist them in case of emergency.
If a Vertex were to appear, they would become heroes and fight them.
The difference between the new and old heroes, is that they weren't trained for battle. Thanks to the faeries' barrier, even normal girls could fight.
The problem was that because that barrier was so strong, the Hero system couldn't be mass produced.
Even if they could gather dozens of recruits, only 5 of them would actually be able to fight.





A number of girls with hero aptitude were located during the nationwide examination.
As per their policy, Taisha decided the following.
Washio Sumi was to be moved and stationed near the candidate with the highest aptitude.
That individual had the highest chance of being picked by the tree.
The Inubouzaki girl, herself with a high aptitude was to be sent near that cadet as well.
She could both support the other candidates, as well as fight as a hero herself.
The terminal used by Minowa Gin was recycled for further use.
Someone with a close nature from the girls chosen could inherit and use it.
That Hero was to train everyday until the reappearance of the Vertex. She would receive her final instructions and be dispatched as reinforcement or as an overseer.
Lastly, concerning the other two heroes.
Nogi Sonoko, having gone through Mankai and Sange multiple times, was no longer able to lead a normal life. Taisha took her in their care as a trump card.
Washio Sumi had lost the use of her legs, and many years of her memories.
As her case wasn't as severe as Nogi Sonoko's, she was to be made to fight if Vertex showed up again.
As all her memories as a Washio had vanished, she took her old name back.
Up to now, Heroes were chosen from inside Taisha. Their families were given great importance and status. But now that they were picked from the entire nation, that was no longer the case.
She herself was told and convinced she lost her memories in an accident.
Taisha had expectations of the girl formerly known as Washio Sumi.
Even after losing her memories, Her body should still remember how to fight.
She gained two new faeries as well.
A Hero that goes through Sange loses their bodily functions, but as a compensation gains more faeries and weapons.
That tremendous power will definitely be useful to the new Heroes.
The curtain closes on the series of Vertex attacks that threw the lives of the three girls into chaos.
The heroes' fight has still not ended.
In return for the supernatural powers they were given, their bodily functions were offered as a tribute.
The parents cried for their children when hearing the truth.
They had to accept the facts. Being chosen by the holy tree was a great honor.
If they refused to, The tree would be destroyed by the Vertex, and mankind would meet its doom.





Era of the Gods, Year 299 - Spring.
The girl formerly known as Washio Sumi was living in a wheelchair.
Starting from today, her life in this new town would begin.
Both her legs, and her memories.
Her heart filled with anxiety and sadness.
That's when she heard a merry voice.
[You're my new neighbor!]
A friendly girl approached her smiling.
[I was so excited when I heard a girl the same age as me was moving in!]
She extended her hand.
[We're the same age, so we'll end up at the same middle school. I'm Yuuki Yuuna, nice to meet you]
She said with a bright smile.
[Oh. You must not be familiar with the area around here. In that case I'll show you around. Leave it to me!!]
That smile was so warm, it caused her expression to loosen up as well.
[What's your name?]
The girl formerly known as Washio Sumi replied with her birth name.
[I am...Tougou Mimori]



        ------------------------------------------ Chapter 8 End ------------------------------------------