Sky Striker Ace, but Symphogear

"Is that so."

Watching the girl before him—still somewhat inexperienced, yet already stumbling forward on her own path—Commander Kazanari began to ponder.

"Then, Tachibana, return to Second Division Headquarters with the others as soon as possible, and protect yourself as best you can."

Then, under Hibiki Tachibana's solemn gaze, Commander Kazanari gave her these orders.

"Huh?"

Hibiki Tachibana voiced her confusion upon hearing Commander Kazanari's arrangement.

"Wait, Commander Kazanari, I mean, I can fight alongside Miss Tsubasa."

Hibiki Tachibana hurriedly explained.

"Mm, don't misunderstand. I know you want to do something to help us, but protecting yourself now is the greatest help you can give us."

Commander Kazanari said this.

"Ah, why?"

Hibiki Tachibana was puzzled.

"Is it because Little Hibiki might be Raye's target this time, Genjuro?"

Ryouko Sakurai suddenly spoke up from the side.

"Exactly. Judging from her previous two operations, we can see that each of them had a clear, valuable target, and she acted around that target."

"The first was the Bronze Serpent Armor, and the second was Durandal. The third must also be something valuable. And in Second Division, the most valuable thing is Tachibana, who is a rare case of fusion with a Biological Relic."

"So, Tachibana, do you understand now? You're very important."

Responding to Ryouko Sakurai's question, Commander Kazanari briefly explained to the confused Hibiki Tachibana why he had made this arrangement.

"In other words, Miss Raye appeared here because of me?"

Only after Commander Kazanari's explanation did Hibiki Tachibana realize that she was apparently more important than she had imagined.

"Exactly. Although I'm gratified that you possess such determination, as the commander, I can't allow you, a high-value target, to be exposed to danger so easily."

Commander Kazanari agreed with Hibiki Tachibana.

Chapter 57: The Darkness of the Cold Silence Enveloped Everything

"Understood, Commander Kazanari. I'll do my best."

"Mm. Then let's get moving."

After saying this, Commander Kazanari and Hibiki Tachibana prepared to carry out their respective tasks.

Commander Kazanari boarded the car Shinji Ogawa had found, while Ryouko Sakurai dragged Hibiki Tachibana away, saying things like, "I'll show you my driving skills." The other members of Second Division also orderly prepared to board the vehicles returning to headquarters.

They're reacting quickly.

Watching the movements of Second Division's main members displayed on the screen over her right eye, Raye thought this. She had just successfully lured Tsubasa Kazanari away and was preparing to carry out her next task.

If I hadn't prepared in advance, this would be troublesome.

Leaning against a tree trunk and watching Tsubasa Kazanari grow farther away, Raye's thoughts shifted, and she activated the device she had set up beforehand.

Zzzzzzt—"..."

The next moment, the explosive crackle of electricity came from several nodes responsible for supplying power to the hot spring district.

Then, the electricity that continuously brought convenience to human society ceased to exist in the district. In the blink of an eye, most of the artificial light sources there vanished.

Of course, damage of this scale could be repaired quickly if a few skilled electricians brought the necessary equipment. But no matter how fast they were, it would still take some time—and that was enough for Raye to carry out what came next.

After that, I'll have to use the Staff of Solomon.

After confirming that the device had activated successfully, Raye gripped the recovered Sky Striker, then took a silver-white staff-shaped object from a portal that appeared beside her.

Although I haven't analyzed it yet, assuming precise operation is required, I probably won't be able to control too many targets. But for creating chaos and serving as a threat, it should be enough.

Thinking this, Raye looked at the staff-shaped object in her hand, paused, then crossed the Sky Striker in her other hand against it.

"What happened? Why did the power suddenly go out?"

On Second Division's side, Hibiki Tachibana had just been about to get into Ryouko Sakurai's vehicle when the sudden incident left her at a loss.

"It looks like the circuit was cut. That girl really doesn't give anyone even a moment to catch their breath. Anyway, Little Hibiki, get in first. We may be busy from here on out."

Ryouko Sakurai said this from the driver's seat, then pulled Hibiki Tachibana into the passenger seat and turned on the headlights, temporarily driving away the darkness ahead of the car.

The street, originally bright with colorful lights, was now shrouded in darkness by the blackout. Although scattered vehicles on the road and the glow from nearby areas that still had power kept it from becoming completely invisible, visibility had been severely reduced.

"Ah, Miss Ryouko, do you mean this blackout was caused by Miss Raye? But why would she do that?"

Hibiki Tachibana asked in confusion.

"Who knows what she's planning? But since she's already made a move, this blackout is probably just a declaration-of-war warning."

Ryouko Sakurai replied as she started the vehicle.

"A declaration-of-war warning? In other words, Miss Raye is coming to fight us? But isn't she fighting Miss Tsubasa right now?"

Hibiki Tachibana did not understand. She had clearly seen Tsubasa Kazanari charge toward Raye in the air, and Tsubasa Kazanari was indeed fighting Raye.

If this was her declaration of war, then who was fighting Tsubasa Kazanari? It couldn't be that Tsubasa Kazanari had been defeated by Raye after failing to hold out for even a few minutes.

"Who knows what she's planning? Regardless, we need to get you back to headquarters first. With the headquarters' defensive system that I designed using Heresy Technology, there's no way that girl can take you away."

Ryouko Sakurai spoke with complete confidence, then stepped on the accelerator and drove onto the road.

Although it was pitch-black because of the blackout, the headlights illuminated the way. As long as they did not drive too fast, there would be no accidents.

"Ah, but wasn't headquarters successfully infiltrated by Miss Raye before... Ow, that hurt."

Hearing Ryouko Sakurai's confident words, Hibiki Tachibana instinctively retorted, only to feel a heavy blow land on her head.

"Don't question me. That time was only to lure her into the encirclement. We didn't manage to trap her in the end... but I've spent the past two weeks iterating and upgrading the security system. So there's absolutely no chance of an easy infiltration like last time."

Ryouko Sakurai withdrew her clenched fist to the steering wheel and gave this assurance.

"Guh, all right."

Under Ryouko Sakurai's physical persuasion, Hibiki Tachibana accepted her point.

"Heh-heh, good that you understand, Little Hibiki. Mm, we're almost at the district exit. I can see the streets with power."

As they chatted, their vehicle approached the intersection at the end of the already short street. In the distance, they could see the glow of streetlights in an area unaffected by the blackout.

"I see. Mm, wait, Miss Ryouko, there seems to be something over there..."

Hibiki Tachibana agreed, but then, as she shifted her gaze, she noticed something strangely colored writhing out from the corner of a nearby street.

"What? What is it... That—that's Noise! A Noise disaster has appeared!"

Following Hibiki Tachibana's indication, Ryouko Sakurai noticed the glowing object. The moment she recognized what it truly was, she realized what had happened.

"It's Noise. There's Noise on the other side too. Why would Noise appear now?"

Hibiki Tachibana also recognized them moments later and instinctively pressed a hand against her chest.

Although Commander Kazanari had ordered her to protect herself, standing by while Noise killed humans also went against the reason she had begun fighting in the first place.

"Little Hibiki, calm down. If something happens to you, Genjuro and the others' efforts will be wasted. The Noise appearing now may be under Little Raye's control. If you go out, you may be walking right into her trap."

Ryouko Sakurai tried to calm the agitated Hibiki Tachibana while sharply turning the steering wheel. Under her control, the car made a sudden turn and narrowly avoided a small group of multicolored Noise wandering across the road.

"But, Miss Ryouko, right now, while Miss Tsubasa is fighting, I'm the only one here with the power to deal with Noise. I'm sorry, but I have to go."

There was no doubt that Ryouko Sakurai was right. But if Hibiki Tachibana could always maintain a rational train of thought, she would not be Hibiki Tachibana.

[Balwisyall nesceell gungnir tron]

A sacred, ethereal chant rose from the flaxen-haired girl's lips. The next moment, accompanied by the prelude of the song in her heart, yellow-and-white armor equipped itself onto the girl named Hibiki Tachibana.

P.S. Good night.

Chapter 58: Encounter

As the armor attached itself, Hibiki Tachibana leaped out of Ryouko Sakurai's car.

[Absolutely C...]

The next moment, Hibiki Tachibana's inner song rang out amid the accompaniment of the Symphogear.

I'm still not strong enough, but if I kill even one Noise, I might save one more person.

With that thought in mind, Hibiki Tachibana looked toward the small group of Noise she had just encountered.

"Come on! I won't let you hurt anyone else!"

Hibiki Tachibana shouted loudly, intending to draw the Noise's attention. Once these monsters noticed a person, they would pounce on humans like zombies. Using this method, she could lure enough Noise away and prevent them from harming others.

"Eh? What's going on? Why are these Noise acting so strangely!?"

Hibiki Tachibana was filled with confusion.

The reason for this was the behavior of the small group of Noise she had just encountered.

When Hibiki Tachibana called out to draw their attention, they acted as though they had not noticed her at all, continuing to crawl toward a certain direction on their own.

"How strange. Why are these Noise ignoring me? Whatever. If they won't come over, I'll go over there and destroy them."

Holding to the belief that Noise had to be destroyed, Hibiki Tachibana did not think too much about it. She clenched her fist, quickly caught up with a Noise writhing along the ground, and swung her fist at it.

Then Hibiki Tachibana watched as the fist that should have struck the Noise without fail missed completely when the Noise performed an almost prophetic, extremely swift roll, smashing into the empty concrete road and creating extra work for the road maintenance crew.

"Huh?"

Watching the Noise that had dodged her attack continue crawling forward without paying her any attention, Hibiki Tachibana's confusion instantly expanded to its limit.

"What's going on?"

Hibiki Tachibana's experience was being challenged. The Noise she usually fought were dull-minded monsters that relied on their speed, strength, and Phase-Difference Barriers to attack humans recklessly.

She had never seen Noise like this—ones that not only failed to mindlessly swarm her but could also dodge her attacks.

"Could they be a new kind of Noise?"

Hibiki Tachibana wondered.

There were many kinds of Noise, so it was possible for a more agile variety to exist.

While she was thinking, the Noise she had been tracking had already moved several meters in a certain direction and was about to turn into a narrow alley.

"Ah, it's getting away! Wait, don't run!"

After noticing this, Hibiki Tachibana pulled her fist out of the concrete road, then broke into a run. She quickly caught up with the fleeing Noise again.

"This time, I won't let you dodge."

After having her attack dodged once, Hibiki Tachibana learned her lesson. As she swung her fist, she watched the Noise's movements closely and adjusted the direction of her attack the moment it showed signs of rolling.

"I hit it!"

She felt the sensation of striking Noise through her hand. With complete concentration, Hibiki Tachibana successfully landed her attack.

"Next, I'll clean up the remaining Noise... huh?"

At the same moment she felt the impact of her fist striking the Noise, her side also conveyed a sensation to her—a sensation known as excruciating pain.

It hurts. It hurts so much. What happened? Is there another Noise behind me?

The unbearable pain and accompanying burning sensation made Hibiki Tachibana realize that something was behind her. The next moment, she reflexively prepared to turn around and see what had caused the pain.

But she could not. The instant she had that thought, a violent tremor shook her brain. The next moment, countless golden stars filled Hibiki Tachibana's vision, and her thoughts came to an abrupt halt.

Bang—

Unable to do anything, Hibiki Tachibana pitched forward and fell flat on the ground.

"...How weak."

Behind the fallen Hibiki Tachibana, the platinum-haired Raye held a segment of a black mechanical Grappling Anchor and was preparing to fire it when she made this comment.

The information I gathered earlier showed that she herself wasn't particularly strong, but I didn't expect her to be this weak.

Looking at the girl lying face-down on the ground, her entire body full of openings, Raye thought this.

Then, without the slightest hesitation, she activated the Grappling Anchor in her hand. The black mechanical claw shot out and instantly locked Hibiki Tachibana's four limbs in place.

Then, accompanied by the crackle of electricity, the armor on Hibiki Tachibana's body buzzed several times like electronic equipment struck by an EMP before losing power.

Raye had originally planned to use this Grappling Anchor while her opponent was dazed from the surprise attack, restricting her combat ability and creating an advantage.