Vol. 3 Ch. 4 Ep. 12: Arius District

...So, at her order...Atsuko was taken to the Arius district's basilica...

Th-That's everything we know.

You went to the Arius district...with Sensei...to save your friend?

Look at that. Huh.

Why is Sensei always on brand?

...

But...

Still... Still...

That won't stop me from taking my revenge.

They're all going to hate me, won't they? Maybe even Sensei...

...But I can't stop.

I just won't.

I won't forgive the Arius Squad for what they did to me. I don't care what kind of monster I have to become to exact my revenge.

...So don't get in my way, Sensei.

...

...All clear! Come up!

Go through the hole in the ceiling.

I was right. It's not guarded.

N-Not a soul in sight.

*pant* *pant*

Once upon a time. It's now just an old, abandoned area.

...

The actual district is farther. We have to approach carefully. She's waiting for us.

...This was a training ground once.

It was a historical site, actually. But it was converted to a training ground after the civil war ended.

Ten years ago, the Arius district was divided in two and war ensued. Any Arius student could tell you.

Did that pique your interest, Sensei?

It's not as exciting as you think. And has nothing to do with our current mission.

I...

I remember this place. I met Azusa for the first time here.

...

I think it was shooting training... Some kid was getting beat for disobeying orders.

No one said anything...they just watched in fear. But she kept standing back up, again and again!

I remember crying because...b-because I thought her halo was gonna be destroyed.

Then Saori...I mean, Leader came running up...

We don't have the luxury of reminiscing right now.

What's the plan, Leader?

...

We may have Sensei on our side, but we can't fight the entire school. How should we proceed?

...Leader?

"Saori?!"

Waaaah! L-L-Leader?!

*pant* *pant*

Tsk. She has a fever. She's been toughing it out this whole time.

This whole time? When could she have gotten sick?!

I expect she's been sick this whole time. She's injured and has been on the run for four days straight. Her body is finally catching up.

C-Can we do anything to help her?

Take out a fever reducer.

S-Sensei's pocket is magical! There was medicine in it!

You're well-prepared.

I knew it... Adults are so...scary...

I knew it... Adults are so...scary...

What a relief.

Here, Leader. This will help.

*gulp* *pant pant*

Leader is really suffering...

...There's no other choice.

D-Do you want me to keep watch?

We'll take shifts. You need rest too, Hiyori.

I'll go first. Sensei, you should rest as well.

Y-You're the best, Misaki.

Sensei? Finally! Can you hear me?

If you can hear my voice, please...

I'm trapped in an in-between. Neither dream nor reality. I don't know when I'll be able to escape.

I don't have much time, listen closely.

I...made a mistake...

I found Gematria in a dream and eavesdropped on their meeting.

Beatrice, who's ruling the Arius district, is trying to hold some kind of ritual in the Arius basilica...

The end...Kivotos' end will come with the conclusion of the ceremony.

I don't know exactly what she's doing, but it's clear the end result will be our demise.

She seems to be trying to summon some kind of being into Kivotos. I'm not sure.

But I was overpowered by Beatrice in a lucid dream and encountered some sort of being from beyond my own consciousness...

The exposure was too much, and my body began breaking down.

And I... I hurt Mika.

I was so frightened, having confirmed that my visions were indeed Kivotos' future. I lashed out at her, blamed her. And then she had to watch as my body began to fail.

Every route I take... I always hurt her.

Mika will blame herself and do something she'll regret. I know her.

If Beatrice is successful, she will bring about the downfall of Kivotos.

And Atsuko of the Arius Squad will be sacrificed for the ritual.

Trapped in this in-between, there is nothing I can do. All I can do is hope you hear my pleas.

And Sensei... Please be careful. Beatrice wants you dead.

...

Sensei, you must understand you alone cannot solve all of this.

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.

It'll be my turn to apologize.

So, Sensei...

Sensei... If you can hear my voice...please...

Run, Sensei. You have to get as far away as you can from the Arius district.

Otherwise, you'll...

...