Vol. 6 Ch. 2 Ep. 4: May Punishment Find You

"Mine!!"

C-Captain!

Captain! *sob*

Hanae? We have to secure her airway! Breathing seems to be stabilizing!

Got it! I'll start loosening the clothes around her neck and waist...and get a stretcher!

Yes! Please!

Did you...hear that?

You heard it too? She DEFINITELY just said "Remedial Knights," right?

So those volunteer people...were from Trinity?

That "Captain"... She was there! She was there the day Madame disappeared!

You saw her?! What was she like?

Well...

From here on out, your role is to quickly rescue and treat any enemies I injure.

E-Eek...! Eeeek...!!!

Wh-What's wrong?!

!!!

!!!

What...was that?

Was that loud voice coming from the sky?!

"Woe to the inhabitants"...?

"Because of the trumpet blasts about to be sounded by the three other angels"...?

*gasp*

Could it be...THAT?

There's no way! That's just a story from the "Book of Revelation"...!

But it's THE Book of Revelation! You know, the one Arius believes...

Wouldn't that mean that right here, at this place...?

Yeah! Then we know what those are too.

They must be the Angels of Revelation!

They're harbingers of the end of the world!

"What in the world was that?"

"Do any of you know?"

...

...

This could be...!

It's impossible. It...must be...

...

I'm sorry, Sensei. All I have is conjecture at the moment.

However, should not our priority be to move the Remedial Knights to safety?

Yes, Sensei! She's not in critical condition! But...

S-Serina? Sensei...?

"The Arius Squad!"

...! Got it, Sensei. Misaki! We're opening up a path!

Tch.

S-Sorry...but could you make way for us...?

Subaru...?

...

Stand down, everyone.

At least, for now.

Got it, Subaru.

"Thank you. All of you."

There's no need. I'm happy we had the opportunity to be of assistance.

Yes. For the Remedial Knights as well.

Th-Thank you...

I thought we were done for...

"And you too, Sena."

I was simply following standard protocol for emergency response.

I'm pleased to be working with the Remedial Knights again as well.

However, she's...

Sena...

...

Hm. How should I put this...?

To begin, there are no medical issues with her current physical condition. I've confirmed this.

Estimating from the times listed in the report, she should have regained consciousness by now, but it's simply something to note as of now.

However...

Please understand, Sensei. What I'm going to say isn't a reflection of any kind of data, but just my base intuition.

In a way, it's a compilation of all the data I've accrued during my long history of fieldwork.

I have a bad feeling about this.

...!

C-Captain! *sob*

Can I give any more details? My apologies, but it's difficult to explain.

But still...

My intuition is telling me that Mine's journey to recovery will be a long one.

...For the time being, we'll keep her vitals stable and treat symptoms as they present.

Understood. I'll escort you to the Remedial Knights' main building.

B-But wouldn't that be a bit dangerous for you...?

It wouldn't be my first time. Let's...

Sen...sei?

!

!!

Captain! Are you okay?!?!

...Sorry, Hanae. A persistent ringing echoes in my ears. If you could please...

A-Ah! I'm sorry...!

I-Is this better?

Yes. Thank you for your consideration. And Sena?

Go ahead.

You were correct. My current consciousness is only temporary. I shall be in your care for the foreseeable future, so thank you.

...I see.

And, Sensei. I must ask something of you, before my time runs out.

Fufu. Yes.

I must thank you first, however. I only clawed my way out of the darkness led by the light of your words.

And now, my request. Please protect the everyday lives of the students here at Arius.

...!

I understand the request is both unexpected and unanticipated. However, I must ask it of you.

...For, somewhere along the way, I had begun to take it all for granted.

The mundane routine of rising in the morning, donning one's uniform, attending class, participating in club activities, retiring to a dorm room...

While mundane, trivial aspects of everyday life for us, they are precious moments to others.

In reality, the stability afforded to those able to establish a daily routine is the result of the accumulation of many little miracles.

Pardon? You wish for me to travel to Arius?

Yes. And your mission...

...

I want you to help Sensei, who will be there helping the Arius students prep for an exam.

Arius students? An exam? What does this all mean?

Exactly as it sounds. I did hope to keep Sensei from physically attending Arius, for the sake of their safety.

I suppose I should've known that's not in Sensei's nature. It matters not if their destination is the hell written of in scripture...

Sensei will always go to a student in need.

Yes, I agree. Then, to my understanding, our objective is to secure Sensei's safety?

While that is always of utmost importance, I have something more important to ask of you.

I want you to provide aid to Arius, in whatever form it may need.

...

I trust that you, of all people, understand what it is you are implying.

I know I've always had a certain manner about me that you've disliked, Captain Mine.

And, in light of recent events, I hardly think you hold me in the highest regard.

I don't come to you ignorant of this.

Which is why this is not an order from the Tea Party to the Remedial Knights.

It is a humble request from Kirifuji Nagisa to Aomori Mine.

Because I'm certain that Arius is in need of your aid.

...Some would assert that Trinity has no right to offer their hand to Arius.

And they would be correct. However, others still know that Aomori Mine does not allow such obstacles to stall her pursuit of what's right.

...

I would not say I hold you in low regard, Kirifuji Nagisa.

The Remedial Knights were the ones who abdicated their right to a seat at the Tea Party.

We preferred to pursue our own justice, free of the burden of the position's duties.

In some ways, I'm grateful to you.

However... I do not believe you and I can ever agree on method and manners.

...My apologies.

I understand.

Then I shall make my way to Arius, claiming to follow a cry for help.

What you've done here, Sensei... You have given these students a glimpse of a life they were meant to have, and yet was cruelly taken from them.

Things such as experiencing classes, studying with others, obsessing over trivial matters...

These small, daily routines of a student's life...

...

Please.

Protect them.

Thank...you.

Captain. Captain...

...She lost consciousness again.

...

It's a good sign that she was at least temporarily able to wake up, however.

Or perhaps it's rather a reflection of Mine's internal strength.

Well then, Sensei. Time is of the essence.

Please take care.

Th-They're gone...

...

...

I hope Mine will be okay...

...I see. Okay.

About what I... Rather, about what Arius knows about these trumpets?

Not much, in a sense. We only know their names.

Again, this is mere speculation, but they seem to be the beings we call the Angels of Revelation.

But if somehow they really were Angels of Revelation... Then that would mean...

...Yes.

It's the beginning of the end of the world.