Mars— The canyon stronghold at the headquarters of the Arcadia Alliance—
The dry, red sand was whipped into the air by the gale, relentlessly pelting the cloaks of everyone passing through.
This was a common kind of sandstorm on Mars, and it was also the signal that every small-scale scouting operation had to be called off.
No one wanted to run into the enemy in weather like this, especially since the sand on Mars had been subjected to artificially increased gravity. As a result, each grain was harder than steel.
Nobody was eager to charge into battle while being bombarded by a sky full of miniature "mortar shells."
At the top of the canyon, a cloaked figure stepped inside. Pulling back the hood, he revealed the youthful face of Kalki.
He turned to look at the sandstorm outside. Hearing the constant clatter, clatter of sand striking the cave walls, Kalki couldn't help relaxing a little. "Another day off."
"Yeah. Not having to go outside and fight those barbaric Greeks is such a relief." Rin came in behind him, her tone carrying a faintly weary edge.
Just then, cries of "Aooo!" "Aooo!" rang out from outside.
The passionate, battle-hungry howls grated on Rin's ears as she complained, "What is up with that community directly under Arcadia called Soul? And that guy named Kenpachi Zaraki. Who goes out looking for a fight at a time like this? Is he insane?"
"In a sense, you could call it illness." As he spoke, Kalki activated the defensive formations inside the cave.
As one of the few Four-Digit members currently within the Alliance, his quarters were situated extremely close to the base. That meant he could come under attack at any moment.
The sandstorm might be a mutually understood day of rest, but there was no guarantee the Greeks wouldn't try something underhanded.
After all, among pantheons, the Greeks and Norse were the ones most fond of schemes. Kalki couldn't afford to let his guard down.
Besides, given the circumstances he'd lived under since the moment he was born, Kalki had long since grown accustomed to remaining ready for battle at all times.
Seeing how completely normal combat had become to him, Rin couldn't help feeling a little sorry for him. "Your Highness, how about we switch to the lower layers in another half month? With Leticia stationed down there, the Greeks wouldn't dare make any rash moves. You'd at least be able to get some proper rest."
"Forget it, Rin." Kalki gave a soft laugh and shook his head. "We're short on time. The higher-ups only gave me three months to train. If I don't make good use of that time and build up my combat experience, things are going to get very troublesome when I have to deal with those high-difficulty missions later."
With that, he unlocked the conceptual lock on his door. Before entering, he added quietly, "I'll rest for ten minutes. After that, I'll take over your post."
Rin opened her mouth, but in the end, all she could do was sigh.
She leaned against the uneven rock wall of the cave, her resentment toward the higher-ups of Ouroboros growing deeper and deeper.
Just how far were those people planning to push a child who wasn't even a year old yet?!
The moment he stepped into his room, Kalki removed his cloak and hung it on the wooden coat rack.
He hadn't even turned around when he suddenly stopped.
"...Didn't you already leave the battlefield, Ryo Yagami?"
Behind Kalki, sitting on the only wooden bed in the cave room, Ryo had one leg crossed over the other as he watched Kalki's back with a faint smile. "You only noticed me after coming in here. Looks like you're still not improving fast enough, Kalki."
"It's because you're improving too quickly." Kalki kept his back turned to Ryo. He sounded troubled as he spoke. "For someone with my exceptionally strong intuition, actually looking at you right now would be dangerous. I'd end up seeing things I really shouldn't see!"
Ryo raised an eyebrow, mildly surprised. "Oh? Your reaction to the Authority of Destruction is particularly strong. Is that because you're an incarnation of Vishnu, the destroyer of adharma?"
"More or less."
When it came to information concerning himself, Kalki tactfully brushed the subject aside and changed the topic. "Speaking of which, the Pisces handover isn't due yet."
He sounded slightly troubled. "As for the Greek pantheon you wanted me to target, I've killed three Four-Digits during this period, so I suppose I've made some progress. But honestly, don't you think you're checking my accounts a little early?"
"I'm not here because of something that trivial." Ryo switched which leg he had crossed and spoke meaningfully. "Looks like information from the Divine War battlefield is a little too isolated. Otherwise, Ouroboros wouldn't have failed to tell you that you've been targeted by the Heavenly Army."
Kalki's pupils suddenly contracted.
He instinctively started to turn around, but halfway through, he shut his eyes again and frowned. "The Heavenly Army? Are they coming after me? Which operation of Ouroboros's was exposed?"
Which one?
Ryo couldn't help thinking to himself, 'That's a very clever choice of words...'
Then he explained, "You know about the exploration-type communities, right?"
"So that's what this is about!" Kalki immediately understood why the Heavenly Army was targeting him.
They couldn't get their hands on the Two-Digit who was arranging the plan, so they were going after him, the key Two-Digit piece responsible for carrying it out?
What a completely undeserved disaster.
Kalki gave a bitter smile before sighing. "So, were you sent by the Heavenly Army to execute me? If... if that's the case, could I ask you to look after Rin after you kill me? Don't worry. Her background is completely clean. She won't cause you any trouble."
Ryo gave Kalki a rather complicated look. "No. I was sent by Ouroboros to protect you."
Kalki: "???"
Beneath Kalki's tightly shut eyelids, his bright eyes looked as though they were about to pop right out of his head.
'Ouroboros sent you to protect me?'
Sure, Ouroboros really was an organization that protected him.
But for you, Ryo Yagami, to be the one they sent?
Wasn't there something seriously wrong with this picture?
Wasn't Ouroboros the greatest enemy of Arcadia?
And now you're telling me that you, the leader of Arcadia, are actually one of Ouroboros's people?
WTF?
.
.
.