Within Trinity territory, inside what appeared to be an abandoned building among ancient ruins.
"...Yes. The bombs aboard the airship were successfully detonated."
"Yes, ma'am."
"Yes. I fully understand," the girl said slowly and clearly. "What should be done if Sensei appears again and attempts to interfere with us."
Waiting respectfully for the signal indicating the end of the communication, Saori, who had reported to Beatrice alone, let out a long breath.
Then the exhaustion in her eyes faded, replaced once more by determination.
Passing through the long corridor, she returned to the room where the rest of the squad had gathered.
Sweeping her gaze across the room, Saori asked in a low voice:
"How are preparations going?"
"...No problems," Misaki answered calmly.
"Y-Yes!" Hiyori replied somewhat nervously. "Everything's prepared, and we've checked it too. All confirmations have already been completed..."
Saori nodded, then looked toward another corner.
"And communication with the doll?"
"Hss... hss..."
The reply was the muffled sound of breathing filtered through a respirator canister.
It came from a girl wearing a loose white coat resembling a robe, along with a full-face metal gas mask decorated with blue lines over a black base, completely obscuring her appearance.
Her purple hair was tied into two braids with bright yellow ribbons, hanging down over her chest.
Although she did not speak, her hands moved continuously, communicating fluently through sign language.
"...Then there shouldn't be any issues. Everything is ready."
As squad leader, Saori gave the others a look signaling them to follow before turning and leaving the room.
The other three hurried after her.
Once they reached the corridor, the green-haired girl, her gaze wandering uncertainly, seemed to think of something and let out a bitter smile.
"F-From now on... everything's just going to become sadder and sadder, isn't it? Everyone's going to suffer... but there's no helping it."
"...That's right," Misaki agreed flatly beside her. "That's the truth of this world."
For a brief moment, silence filled the room.
A sorrowful atmosphere spread quietly through the air.
Yet for them, this had long since become something as ordinary as daily life.
Before long, the girls entered a dimly glowing underground passage beneath the building.
During the final lull before the operation officially began, Saori continued confirming details.
"What about the cruise missiles?"
Misaki answered,
"They've already been launched. Estimated time to target is five minutes."
"And Squads II and III?"
"T-They're standing by at the entrance to the passage..." Hiyori suddenly added, "Ah, but there seems to be unusual activity inside the Old Cathedral. It looks like they've deployed defenses underground..."
"That's only natural after causing such a huge commotion. If they hadn't done that, that would've been strange instead."
Saori let out a cold laugh.
"Unfortunately, all their preparations are meaningless. Proceed with the assault according to the original schedule."
After a brief pause, she continued outlining the plan.
"We'll move in at the same time the Old Cathedral collapses. Misaki will lead Squad II against Trinity. Hiyori will lead Squad III against Gehenna."
Misaki nodded.
"Understood."
"Squad II should stay alert for Tsurugi. Squad III should act cautiously around Hina."
"O-Okay! Understood!" Hiyori sounded tense. "H-Hina-san, right...?!"
Saori then looked toward the final member of Arius Squad.
"Squads I and IV..."
"Hss... hss..."
"Mm. Enter the underground through the passage. As you all know, this is the most important mission."
The purple-haired girl once again emitted a heavy breathing sound while expressing herself through sign language, her motions noticeably faster than before.
"Hss hss..."
"Princess... I know. It will probably be uncomfortable, but please endure it."
Hearing that, the girl called Princess fell silent for a moment before nodding.
"Um, Saori-san...!"
Hiyori suddenly spoke again.
"I know."
The leader of Arius Squad answered in a deep voice.
"Squad V will be personally led by me and remain ready to provide support at any time..."
"N-No! Um, Sen... no, um..."
Saori turned her head toward her.
The stammering Hiyori was holding something in her hands, and a strangely irritating sense of foreboding suddenly rose within Saori's chest.
Frowning slightly, she directly took the phone from Hiyori.
The instant she saw what was displayed on the screen, her pupils contracted sharply and her footsteps halted.
Sensing something wrong, both Misaki and Princess moved closer beside her.
The phone was currently showing a live Kronos broadcast of the Old Cathedral.
What mattered was the corner of the screen.
Among the Trinity and Gehenna students, one particularly eye-catching tall figure had appeared.
Princess signed another question.
After a moment of silence, Saori answered:
"...Yeah. That's him. Schale's Sensei."
Returning the phone to Hiyori, she let out a cold laugh.
Her voice became increasingly icy, like a volcano on the verge of eruption.
"What a suicidal idiot. Fine then. Since he's seeking death himself, we'll just eliminate him a second time."
The other three girls said nothing.
Yet within the eyes of the Arius Squad members flickered emotions no one else noticed.
"Sensei! What exactly happened aboard the airship?!"
The famous reporter named Shino followed close beside me, chattering endlessly.
"What condition are the Pandemonium Society members in? Why did you arrive safely and alone? Did you perhaps use a body double? Or was it sheer force of will?!"
Damn tabloid vulture! She's practically shoving the microphone into my face!
If Mine and Serina hadn't gone off to park the vehicle while I came ahead by myself, would I really have ended up getting cornered like this?
Still, the fact she spotted me instantly could only mean one thing.
My appearance truly was as dazzling as the moon in the darkness...
Since the cameras were rolling, I forced a gentle smile.
"Sorry, I'm only here for the meeting, and I'm in a hurry. As for those questions, please wait for the official statements from Gehenna and Schale."
Fortunately, members of the Tea Party Guard and the Pandemonium Society arrived at that moment, separating Shino from me and escorting me into the Old Cathedral.
I had only just entered the cathedral and was preparing to meet with everyone to discuss the upcoming operation when my phone suddenly rang.
Wakamo: Why are you going to the Old Cathedral!?
Wakamo: Didn't I tell you to be careful and not run into Saori again?!
I froze briefly before realizing that the one currently using Wakamo's account was Saori herself.
As expected, Saori had already been completely won over by me deep down and never truly wanted to oppose me in the first place.
Me: Sorry, but I have to come here.
Wakamo: It's almost too late...
Wakamo: Run.
...What did that mean?
The next instant, along with that question, all of my consciousness was wiped blank by a thunderous roar that shook the heavens.