The desert was naturally not an environment that could be easily lived in but life always found a way. That was why, despite the searing heat from the violet sun above and the sand that blew up along with the wind, the base was standing as if to prove that life could thrive and the people there could feel that.
Tatsumi squinted his eyes as he looked at the Rift properly. He felt that the size of the Rift was large enough that several aircraft could enter simultaneously.
But that was just his estimation and he was not even sure about his calculation. The heat started to make him feel uncomfortable, but he endured, just as he knew that the air would cool down the moment autumn and winter arrived.
‘Looking at it up close, I can feel that this is a magnificent work even if we don’t understand its working principles yet.’ Tatsumi commented internally.
‘It is larger than the Rift that had appeared in my lifetime. That is for sure.’ Goto commented.
Tatsumi was surprised to hear that from him. It meant that something had changed, causing the size of the Rift to be larger. Unfortunately, he did not know the cause of it so he had to keep this in mind, somewhere in a corner.
Then Tatsumi shifted his gaze and looked at the soldiers around him. Most of them were the ones who had gone to the frontline, as they had said in their discussion.
“If there were not a transcendent group in our front, I doubted that we could defend the perimeter by ourselves.”
“You also need to look at the power the transcendents released; it caused the forested area to be razed to the ground. Damn, that would definitely feel good if it were me.”
“In my place, it was the Undead Race that braced the impact. To think that they readily defended that position, I heard that my place was heavily attacked so the battle took longer than the other side.”
Tatsumi could hear all sorts of information carried by the wind. Adding his more sensitive senses, he could hear what they were saying with more clarity.
‘So far, the frontline is doing well. I can say that they are in excellent condition.’ Tatsumi thought while remembering that his teacher was also on the frontline.
He wondered what kind of experience his teacher had. That could be a topic of discussion.
But just as he was lost in thought, someone came to him. Tatsumi had picked on the movement and the presence but he was too occupied in his mind to care about the presence. Being in the secluded place where few people roamed around did help with recognizing another presence but the fact that the presence walked in his direction without an ounce of hesitation spoke of the intent.
“I knew that I could find you in this kind of place.”
Tatsumi could hear a familiar voice but he did not turn his body around. He just looked at the distant desert which created an illusion of an oasis due to the reflection of light. He had heard the voice but he did not respond.
“Come on. What makes you so fascinated?” the voice asked. But Tatsumi still did not respond.
After some time passed, Tatsumi then turned around and saw the familiar face and sighed. He did not understand one thing: why was she so fixated on him?
“Why are you searching for me, Ame?” Tatsumi asked back as if he wanted to sidestep her previous question.
Ame was wearing the same clothes as he was, with body armor and a self-defense weapon on her waist. Her long, brown hair fluttered in the wind that came to the base and also to the Rift. She was looking at Tatsumi right in the eyes and her expression was serious.
“I’m just concerned. Do you feel bothered by that?” Ame answered while also questioning him.
Tatsumi could only purse his lips, clearly feeling that something extra was added to her question.
“Just asking. I thought that something important was coming up.” Tatsumi replied before he added, “I’m just thinking about something, and that distracts me. Sorry if I offend you in any way.”
Tatsumi said this because he knew that he had to maintain at least a good relationship with Ame. It was nothing but for practical benefit as she was still connected to the Mikazuki family and their Heavy Industry.
Ame went silent but she still looked at him like he owed her something.
“What?” Tatsumi opened his mouth, as if protesting at her stare.
“Nothing. It is just that you are keeping things to yourself. And I want to know why.” Ame honestly told him.
Tatsumi’s eyes glittered for a moment but he held back from saying things. He did not know whether the infiltrators could spy on them and he did not want to risk that. But he also knew that when they attacked, it would be swift and he needed to be able to tie them down.
He also did not know the battle prowess of the infiltrators so the risks were significant.
‘There are issues with the information given but I think I understand why Father God only gave me partial information. We cannot rely entirely on someone; we need to check the reality for ourselves to decide things. From the looks of it, the infiltrators are not strong. That’s for sure.’ Tatsumi thought in his mind.
“It is just things that the frontline misses. I intend to clean some things up.” Tatsumi spoke while Ame listened carefully.
“Is it a possibility that there are some infiltrators from the enemy?” Ame could understand the implication of what Tatsumi had said, despite the few words he had said but it was not concrete evidence and she could only guess.
“You really have a good instinct other than a good head.” Tatsumi looked her back in the eye. His eyes were filled with determination and unwavering will.
“Was that correct!?” Ame could not believe what she had heard and stomped her feet on the ground. The situation was serious and Tatsumi hid it from the rest of the Cerulean Defense Force, including her.
“What do you plan to do?” Ame asked, masking her increasing worry.
“We have to eliminate them if possible. They are trying to gather more information about us. The element of the unknown is slowly being unraveled by the enemy and I intend to end that. I am afraid that even with my involvement, we cannot stop all of them.” Tatsumi said this with a serious tone, cracking his neck while doing so.
“That is reckless. You don’t even know the exact power they hold and their location.” Ame berated.
“Nah, they’d come right to us. We have something they need after all.” Tatsumi replied with a scornful smirk.
Ame remembered the item the escort team needed to safeguard. She realized that Tatsumi was involved because of the infiltrators and planned to take care of them.
But she also thought about how reckless that was. Perhaps, Tatsumi relied on the transcendent to clear most obstacles while he dealt with the remaining things.
“Well, the time is almost upon us.” Tatsumi looked at the violet sun and realized that its position was on the estimation that it was time for the escort team to go. He also checked the watch that was given to him as a standard miscellaneous item and knew that it was indeed the time.
Ame sighed, helpless about things that Tatsumi had done but she could only assist him when the time came. Then the two of them went to the designated place where the escort team’s armored vehicles were parked.
The engines of the vehicles were roaring in the windy desert. There was information that a sandstorm was approaching the Rift, but for the escort team, that meant they had to be prepared for it.
After checking that everyone from the escort team was there, they got on the vehicles and set off to the vortex that led them to the Undead Secret Realm.
They moved through the sandstorm with the limited visibility they had, and their speed slowed down. Tatsumi was sitting in the vehicle along with Ame and the team leader.
“Team Leader, about the thing we discussed earlier…” Tatsumi opened his mouth at the appropriate time. The shaking of the vehicle did not deter him from saying a few words.
“About the potential ambush by the enemy, right? I thought that you had already mentioned it to me but if you spoke about it, then I guess the time frame would be around this moment.” The team leader said.
He was still wearing the black robe even in this situation. He was the one Tatsumi could get for the task of eliminating the infiltrators. Tatsumi had asked Kushina for this and she was kind enough to give him this much.
“Yes. I believe that they will come at us with their all. But I just don’t know their prowess and that worries me.” Tatsumi said with honesty. The team leader chuckled but Tatsumi knew that it was a bit forced.
The three were the closest so they only spoke in a volume that could be heard only by them, hopefully.
Ame heard the conversation but she was still worried about the plan. She knew that the plan was the counter-ambush but she was not sure that it would go smoothly.
“Fortunately, I hid my strength the entire way. Whatever comes our way should not be too strong. Otherwise, the frontline Base Zero will detect them.” The team leader reasoned this was the only thing he hoped was true.
“But this plan relies heavily on the team leader. What do you plan to do if the plan fails?” Ame asked. Her eyes looked at Tatsumi.
Tatsumi knew that she wanted to continue the conversation that had been cut off.
“We improvise. Adapt to the situation and find a solution.” Tatsumi replied after some thought.
Ame closed her eyes for a moment before she nodded in agreement. The team leader also did the same since they did not even know the enemies they were about to face.
“At that time, please separate from the team. The Reservists do not deserve to be in the battle between two powered-up individuals.” Tatsumi added.
-
Amid the sandstorm, there was a creature that followed the escort team. It was tasked by the Queen to retrieve the important item so that the enemy civilizations would not use it against the Queen and her Glings.
It informed the others who were nearby for the ease of retrieving the item. As the rows of armored vehicles passed by, it took notice of the presence of the item, confirming its location.
It kept informing the item’s current location so that every single available unit was prepared for the ambush. It did not detect any transcendent-like power from the team so the Queen assumed that the escort team was more for secrecy.
-
Two hours had passed while the sandstorm finally subsided. Not because the sandstorm was weak but more like the escort team had passed through the sandstorm.
Fortunately, the armored vehicles were designed to go through tough terrains and weather so their durability was high, including the delicate engine and parts.
Tatsumi could finally see the sky from the front window. But his feeling told him that they should be far enough from the base, meaning that the ambush should come at any time.
The blade was sitting on his lap because it was more comfortable to sit that way.
He instinctively grabbed the hilt of the blade, clenching and unclenching his hand in the process. He allowed the few Ether in his body to circulate in the energy pathway along the entire body. A small pressure appeared that the team leader realized and suppressed it.
Tatsumi sat in the middle between the team leader and Ame. He was being flanked by them.
“Calm down. Everything is going to be alright.” The team leader patted Tatsumi on the shoulder. Tatsumi then realized what he had done and only allowed the energy inside his body to barely circulate as a precaution while calming his mind.
To be honest, even Tatsumi felt nervous and afraid but he could not say it since he was the one who proposed the counter-ambush plan.
Ame was a bit surprised but then composed herself after the pressure disappeared. She then realized that Tatsumi was under great pressure and she felt a bit guilty for increasing that pressure.
That was why…
She held Tatsumi’s hand. Their hands were not wearing any gloves, so Tatsumi could feel the texture of her hands. Unexpectedly, it was full of calluses, and for Tatsumi, it felt good. It was also the warmth of the person who worked hard, and he was familiar with these kinds of hands.
It reminded him of the hands that treated him warmly despite the difficulties, the hands that strived to work hard not only for themselves but also for the others under their care.
Tatsumi looked at the owner of that hand, a bit surprised that Ame was the one who did that. He had some predilection about Ame and now that was shattered by the fact that her hands were like that. It meant that she had done something that made her hands like that and it gained his respect and admiration.
“Hmm, why did you hold my hand?” Tatsumi said after looking at her hand for some time.
Ame, instead of being shy, became more proactive.
“Why is it that you feel like it is a problem? I’m just trying to calm you down, you know.”
Tatsumi knew that Ame was teasing him but he felt like she was trying to hide her embarrassment that way.
‘Is it just me or is she trying to hide her embarrassment this way? Should I probe or not?’ Tatsumi internally mused.
‘Use your experience to read this situation and you will naturally know the answer.’ Kudungga commented.
Since even Kudungga hinted to him, Tatsumi then remembered the recollection of the experience he had regarding this matter and raised his head. He looked at Ame and realized the detail that he would otherwise miss.
Her shifty eyes, her slightly trembling hand, as well as the twitching of the corner of her mouth. Tatsumi knew that she really wanted to cover her feelings by acting more proactive but he finally saw through the cover, discovering something hidden.
‘But I don’t know what exactly this means. It could be that she is interested in me but there could be numerous reasons for that.’ Tatsumi thought.
“I am calm now. There is no need to force yourself.” Tatsumi said. After thinking about Ame, his mind surprisingly calmed down a lot. It felt like Ame had affected him in more ways than he realized.
A flash of disappointment crossed Ame’s face and Tatsumi who focused his gaze on her did not miss it. But he did not say it to prevent further embarrassment, for both.
‘Ah, youth. How beautiful it is when you are in it.’ Kudungga added.
‘Please stay silent. I beg you.’ Tatsumi internally said.
Just as he finished managing his emotions, the team leader wore a serious expression. Tatsumi realized that it was probably because he detected something approaching. Something that could threaten the escort team under normal circumstances.
Tatsumi grabbed his sheathed blade on the sheath and the hilt, preparing for combat. Ame also realized the issue and grabbed the twin dagger that she had. All the weapons the escort team had were standard and given to them by the Transcendent Academy.
The vehicles of the escort team then stopped all at once. The sudden stop caused the inertia to work as most of the people inside the vehicles were thrown off.
The team leader was near the door of the vehicle as he forcefully opened it. He became the first one to get out of the vehicles, followed by Tatsumi, Ame and the other two people.
“All units to be on the defensive!” the team leader enhanced the voice coming from his mouth by using the transcendent energy. All the people heard that and prepared their weapons to meet whatever came their way.
The sandstorm was far behind them but the team noticed the purple mist coming from the rest of the clear direction. They were armed with assault rifles, and there was even an RPG for when they encountered something that needed more firepower.
Tatsumi then used the Ether to enhance his sight, carefully guiding the transcendent energy to his eyes. This operation of channeling energy actually needed discretion. Because the eyes were a delicate organ, the way the energy was channeled there had to be properly measured.
The best case in failure would be to feel itchy in the eye but at worst, it could be a permanent loss of vision.
‘Looks like that purple mist is the infiltrators.’ Tatsumi could see farther and more detailed when using the transcendent energy on his eyes. He could see that the purple mist was at least directing its movement to the escort team’s location.
The purple mist kept moving closer and closer so the Reservists were nervous and pulled the trigger. Shots were fired and it was ineffective against the mist.
But then a large area of attack appeared. The slash was filled with the undead element which caused the purple mist to disintegrate upon hit.
The purple mist rolled out, scattering from the point of impact against the slash. In the middle of the team, the black-robed team leader was holding a scythe in his hand. His body was coated in undead element that the others did not dare to go near him.
“I will deal with the purple mist. The rest of you should contain the threat and at least try to repair the vehicles. The vehicles are stopped because of the purple mist indirectly.” The team leader said before he felt the center of the purple mist and moved to attack it.