To the citizens of Academy City, District 23 was a foreign place.
(So wide…)
Walking out with Stiyl and Tsuchimikado, Kamijou couldn't help but think this.
One could see a slightly circular horizon that was like foreign pastures. However, this horizon wasn't of the green of grass, but the black and gray of asphalt and concrete. Half of this large area was runways and satellite launch areas, with the high fences surrounding this limitless space.
The buildings, which included the control tower and the experimental areas, were rather large, several times the size of the school. However, the surrounding lane was so thin in comparison, that it was like it had been placed there suddenly. The basic scale was just too unfamiliar.
Tsuchimikado looked at the bus stop in front of the terminal.
"…Though this is a top secret area, there are still buses that lead to the ordinary airport. The buses are driven by drivers nya, so this is probably to prevent any corporate spies from getting off the bus midway through."
The sonic boom of the plane cut through Tsuchimikado's words.
Kamijou inadvertently looked up at the sky. Mini-Cessna planes were flying over in threes, slowly ascending into the sky.
"The basis of security here is the 'sky'. This is just a deceptive show of strength, since the area they have to guard is too big."
That was true. In fact, till the end of the horizon, it would be difficult for them to completely patrol this area by human means. Also, the place was full of runways, there was no shade to hide in, and there was no way to hide from the satellites.
"But, isn't it a little too hard to get to that Ironhide whatever Airport?"
"Well, Oriana still has a way."
Stiyl echoed Kamijou's words.
"Tsuchimikado, if there is a way, then hurry up and say it, we don't have much time."
"Nya, it's that."
Tsuchimikado said as he pointed to the sky above.
From above, there was the sound of air colliding.
This time, it was not the Cessna planes, but giant passenger jets with four engines each. The machines releasing this sonic boom slowly descended on a runway of the ordinary International Airport.
"To prevent colliding into each other, when other planes are flying in, they'll change the patrolling routes that they would monitor, then—"
Tsuchimikado's words were interrupted.
Wave after wave of passenger jets and mini-planes crossed the sky.
"—the sky here is unexpectedly crowded. If we can use the passenger jets to our advantage, we can use the blind spots left by the satellites and proceed on. The problematic 'Ironhide Institute of Aviation Technology' is rather close to this place, so it should be possible for us to get there by just walking nya."
For various reasons, Kamijou and company were running on the gray ground.
Tsuchimikado, who was running in front, would sometimes trip up due to the change in center of gravity. It was like someone sleeping in a lesson. However, even in this situation, Kamijou would be overtaken in a race by him if he was not careful. Such evidence showed how athletic Tsuchimikado was.
He followed Tsuchimikado's lead, passing below several planes that were passing through. They could avoid the surveillance, but to run across this place, where there was no cover, it was rather thrilling on certain levels of significance.
In this place where there was nowhere to hide, there was still no sign of Oriana.
She must have reached the destination.
Kamijou continued to run as he pulled out his phone. The time on the display was 5:40 PM.
(There's still…20 to 80 minutes left.)
This was the time left before the Croce di Pietro was activated.
Once the spiritual item was activated, Academy City would be taken over without any warning, even psychologically, no matter how unreasonably suppressed they were, nobody would feel that it was strange.
Though the situation was critical, Kamijou knew that no matter how anxious he was, he couldn't stop the procession of time. As he continued to run, he could see the gray walled segment ahead. On the other side of the wall, it should be the 'Ironhide Institute of Aviation Technology' where Oriana was waiting.
They immediately got to the edge of the perimeter.
The metal mesh fence was about 2 meters tall. Tsuchimikado grabbed onto the fence with his hands and feet, and just as he was about to get over it—
From the corner of his eye, Kamijou noticed that something was shining.
It was stuck between the metal wires—a flashcard that was slightly drenched in saliva.
Normally cautious, Tsuchimikado wouldn't possibly overlook this. However, his consciousness may have been blurry due to the pain of the wounds.
"Eh?"
"TSUCHIMIKADO!!"
Just as Kamijou shouted,
BOOM!!
The entire row of wire fence became orange due to the intense heat.
Tsuchimikado, who was grabbing onto the fence with his hands and feet, jumped away as if he was electrocuted. He frantically left the metal fence, rolling on the ground, maintaining his distance. The Daihaseisai tour guidebook in his hand was released due to the impact, emitting black smoke before being swallowed by flames.
"GYAAAHHH!!"
A sizzling sound could be heard from Tsuchimikado's hands and feet, and they began to emit smoke like incense. The eyes underneath those shades were tightly shut, as he painfully gritted his teeth.
The things that were torturing his hands and feet were burns.
To Tsuchimikado, who preferred to engage in close range combat, it was like his weapon was destroyed by the enemy.
Tsuchimikado continued to struggle as he tried to stand up, but his wrists and ankles seemed stiff. It was like he was struggling in the mud. He couldn't stand up like he wanted to.
"Hurry up and go, Kami-yan…"
Tsuchimikado pressed onto a hand with his other injured hand.
"…We're not going to get anything done by standing around here, hurry up and destroy that flashcard. You two, hurry up and go!!"
"But what are you going to do? Oh yeah, Stiyl, can you use your magic to heal him?"
"If they're burns, it is possible—"
Stiyl and Kamijou turned their eyes from Tsuchimikado, who was on the ground, to the metal fence.
"—She's waiting for us! Prepare your right hand, Kamijou Touma!!"
"!?"
Kamijou jumped back in shock and turned his head around.
About 500 meters away from the wire fence, the blond lady was reclining on the wall of a small building that has a mini runway inside.
Oriana Thomson.
She was holding flashcards that were held by the metal ring.
Oriana silently placed the card next to her mouth. At the same time, Stiyl shouted out,
"KAMIJOU TOUMA!!"
"I GOT IT!!"
Kamijou tried his best to get to the flashcard stuck on the metal fence. The wire fence was turning red as it overheated, but immediately reverted back to its original color and temperature the moment he touched it. Without confirming it, both of them climbed up the fence.
(If Oriana takes the preemptive strike now, Tsuchimikado won't be able to get away now with his hands and feet injured…!)
He climbed up the fence.
(That means that we have to attack first! We can't make any more sacrifices, not like Fukiyose-san or Himegami!!)
And leaped over.
At the same time, Oriana, who was far away, tore the flashcard.
The spell activated, and a blue and white light surrounded Oriana. She opened her arms wide, floating into the air, as if she was showing off some new clothes that she had just bought.
After that,
500 meters away, where Oriana was, an explosion could be heard. With her as the center, the surrounding air started to stir around as if a circle was being drawn. An invisible hammer started to attack, ignoring the distance. This clockwise winding pressure hammer cut down every single construct surrounding her, whipping up the asphalt and moving towards Kamijou.
"!!"
Kamijou immediately readied his right hand.
With a 'pacha' sound, the high-pressure wall was gone. Oriana, who was 500 meters away and looked like a small dot, hastily prepared another flashcard. Even so, it was still unable to prevent the asphalt ground from flipping up. Just as the stone tsunami was looming over,
"GASTTH (My hand brings fire), TFIAS (shape into a blade), TRIC (and bring forth thy judgment!)"
The card with runes on it fluttered in the air.
At the same time, a red flame sword appeared in Stiyl's right hand. He swung the sword at the tsunami of stone, completely ignoring the fact that Kamijou was right beside him.
"EH!?"
As Kamijou frantically got down, the flame sword collided with the rock fragments. After that, the flame sword lost its shape and exploded. The directional flames avoided Kamijou, who was below, and hacked horizontally at the asphalt wall, which exploded all over.
Kamijou, who lost his balance, got up and ran without tumbling.
Stiyl began to chant a new spell, creating a new flame sword.
Oriana started to play around with the flashcard in her hand.
The battle between the trio was about to begin.
The time was 5:50 PM. there were still 10 to 70 minutes before time was up.