Tale of Discovery

"So, how far is this ship that you speak of?" I ask while making use of Clairvoyance to scan the airspace around the island.

As expected, I was unable to find anything, indicating that the vessel is still quite a distance away.

"The enemy is masking their precise location, so I am unable to estimate their time of arrival with high accuracy."

"But, you should still be able to tell the general distance in between them and the island, no?"

"Roughly. My best guess is that it will arrive on the island in less than twenty minutes."

"Alright, I got it," I say before getting up from the stool I had created and shifting my sight over to the twins.

Unexpectedly, the two of them are staring at me rather keenly, as if they are trying to read my mind or something.

"So…" I say before my voice trails off due to being unsure of what to tell them.

Actually, do I need to say anything? At most, I should just tell them to stay put.

Coughing once, I adopt a solemn expression before taking a few steps closer to the bed they're sitting on.

"The two of you heard what she just said, right?"

Hearing my query, both of them nod as confirmation before Yuzuru opens her mouths and asks, "Inquiry: How are you going to be fighting against a flying ship?"

"I've got my means," I reply nonchalantly, "Anyway, I need you two to remain here until I am back, alright?"

The corner of Kaguya's lips twitches as she seems to struggle with something before ultimately nodding her head, in contrast to Yuzuru who simply stares at me without so much making the slightest movement.

Well, whatever. As long as they remain out of the enemy's range and sight, everything should be fine.

Arguably, the twin's safety would be all the more guaranteed if they were to stay close to Origami and Tohka, but right now, I don't have the luxury of introducing them to one another.

I can already see how extensive and troubling the introductions could get, considering the girls' personalities, that is…

Releasing a sigh, I cast one glance at the two new acquaintances before making my way out of the room.

---

Standing at the top of the damaged building, the scent of charred flesh wafts through to my nose as I gaze into the distance.

According to Reine, the enemy is supposed to be moving here from the southwest.

Based on my observations, the ship is most likely coated by some high tech mechanism that has had it rendered invisible.

As unfortunate as it may be, I won't be able to keep the ship, because I neither have the place and resources needed to do so.

For that reason, my priority will be set on destroying the vessel without letting anyone get out of this alive.

If the higher-ups are anywhere close as calculative as I would assume them to be, they will get the message I will be conveying through my actions: There is no turning back once it starts. One side will definitely perish.

Naturally, there are many methods that I can make use of to make the enemy suffer. Right now, the most efficient and safe method would be having it broken down from the inside.

To do that, I will first be planting seeds of doubt within the hearts of those working for said organization. Based on the information I have gathered from the team of girls who attacked me and Natsumi, as long as I prove the identity the enemy has so kindly 'granted' me, this would easily be achieved.

Why? Well, apparently, the organization has been getting a little impatient recently. Understandably, this has resulted in numerous rumors to begin spreading around among the interns and whatnot regarding something big about to occur.

As such, if I were to take advantage of the ridiculous 'codename' given to me, Prophet, I can do more than just cause confusion.

Seriously, what is it that led to all this? Either way, now that the situation has turned into a direct confrontation, I suppose being more decisive in my actions is a requirement.

Of course, this would result in a lot of troubles with Kotori and those behind her. If anything, I actually expect them to label me as a threat to humanity and attempt to hunt me down.

AI, how much energy do I have left?

{79%}

Alright then. I will try to not overuse my Effects, after all, for all I know, Dominion could literally appear out of nowhere. In such a horrible scenario, I would rather be able to make use of most of my powers to a heavy extent. Of course, this precaution is only expedient if Dominion is even an enemy, to begin with.

All of a sudden, I feel the odd feeling of being watched from a far distance.

They're finally here, huh?

Stretching my arms, I focus my sight on the direction I felt being watched from, only to soon notice that a large part of the space in the distance is distorted.

Squinting my eyes, I circulate Holy Essence and utilize Paragon's Eyes.

The next moment, all color seems to get drained from my vision as numerous black hazes of dark matter become visible to me.

I take this opportunity to count them and determine the intensity of their 'darkness'.

Two pitch-black individuals, about a dozen or so dark gray, and three relatively light gray.

In this case, I could use Divine Retribution to deal quite the blow to those aboard the vessel, but then again, that would consume quite a bit of my energy.

"No other choice then," I mutter as I slowly begin ascending to the sky.

Now then, before I begin, I suppose I should check on the state of affairs down below.

As such, I use Clairvoyance to check in on the building that the students are staying in, and contrary to what I was expecting, everyone in there, apart from a select few such as Origami and the other three, has gotten rather restless.

From what I can tell, they've gotten bored and are hoping to leave the shelter as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, Tamae is doing her best to keep them under control while anxiously waving her arms around.

Truly, a pitiful sight.

Shaking my head, I retract my sight before repositioning it to the room Reine and the twins are in.

There, I find Yuzuru sitting on the bed with an impassive expression on her face as Kaguya stands in front of her and is passionately explaining something to her.

Close to them, Reine is focused on the same computer screen, which right now is displaying a vague image of a piece of land, which I assume is this island and a dot in the distance that is nearing-in ever so slowly.

Done, I retract my vision once again before fully focusing on the approaching flying vessel.

Unlike the last time I fought against a flying vessel, the technology involved this time is simply incomparable.

Taking in a deep breath, I prepare to dash toward the vessel, but right at this moment, AI's voice resounds within my head.

{Requesting permission to materialize.}

AI? Do you want to aid me in this battle?

{Affirmative.}

Last time, it was Irene that helped me, but this time it's going to be AI, huh? Speaking of which, I wonder where Irene is and what she is up to.

{Father, please don't worry - I am observing everything cautiously.}

Observing what exactly, and how is that supposed to decrease my 'worries'?

Anyway, AI, I would like to ask something just in case - what would become of you if your body gets… destroyed?

{I would enter a state of dormancy for an indeterminable period of time.}

Is that so? Not very reassuring, but at least it's better than simply not existing anymore…

Alright then, it seems like I will get to see your capabilities too, AI. You may come out.

{Yes.}

What? For once, I felt like I sensed emotion contained within AI's voice along with the unusual way of affirming my words.

Such thoughts swirl inside my head before I suddenly feel like a part of me going missing.

Following that, a bright light shines in front of me as cracks seemingly begin to appear in the space before a small figure slowly takes form.

Shortly, the light fades, revealing AI, who is similarly floating in the sky with her gaze focused on me.

Finding her adorable, I am unable to hold myself back from moving closer and patting her head, to which she responds by closing her eyes and relish the moment.

"Let's go," I say after a while of rubbing her head, "Your own safety takes priority over everything else, am I clear?"

"Affirmative," she responds with her expression remaining unchanged.

"Good," I say before a random thought crosses my mind, "Can you keep up with me or should I carry you?"

Unexpectedly, AI's eyes widen as a very complicated expression forms on her face, as if she has been presented with the most absurd question ever.

Releasing a sigh, I proceed to swiftly take her petite body into my arms before immediately dashing forth.

As such, before the flying ship can get any nearer to the island itself, I am directly floating in front of it, which those inside seem to pick up on as the ship's movements come to an abrupt halt.

In this position, with AI nestled in my arms, a smile forms on my lips as I use my senses to check the barely visible ship out with intrigue.