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—Prologue—
Death had come for humanity. At least, that's what the people of that time believed, according to the old records.
The civilization had reached the height of prosperity under Yggdrasil, the artificial god of abundance. Then people began dying—young and old alike, suddenly, simultaneously, all across the world.
This happened sometime after the Heisei era ended and a new age began.
The wave of death was far too swift.
Japan's population of over one hundred million reportedly dropped below forty million in just a few days. Funerals couldn't keep pace, and countless bodies were left abandoned.
Countless villages and towns collapsed.
Politics, medicine, power generation, finance, communications, logistics, agriculture and forestry, manufacturing, education—every system in every region was paralyzed. While people desperately tried to restore order, further disaster awaited them.
Strange creatures emerged one after another from beneath the ground, attacking people and tearing down buildings. These aberrant beings, called yggbeasts and yggdragons, drove humanity from land.
After enduring a series of calamities that would later be named the Great Collapse, people realized the truth.
This had been an attack on the human species by the artificial god of abundance . . .
—1—
1
All six of them seemed to be alive, at least for now. Sekirei felt relieved.
She felt a dull ache in her forehead and touched it to check, but found no blood.
Relieved, because blood would've rattled her subordinates, Sekirei quickly checked her elbow and shoulder for injuries before opening the rattling door and stepping out of the aircraft.
The utility helicopter, a UH-1J Rev., sat tilted on the ground. With its swollen belly and long tail, it resembled a tadpole. Its skid-type landing gear had dug into the earth, and its crumpled nose was tearing up the soft soil along with the grass.
The damage bore witness to the violent impact of their landing.
Check the helicopter for fuel leaks.
Sekirei called out to the four people who had emerged from the helicopter.
If there was any risk of fire, they'd need to clear the area immediately.
Aye ma'am!
The four subordinates responded in unison and began inspecting the aircraft. They moved with practiced efficiency.
Their morale hadn't dropped. If anything, they seemed more determined than ever, facing difficulties.
They showed a valor worthy of the Tokyo First Air Squadron insignia on the helicopter's tail. Air squadrons were paramilitary organizations stationed on floating cities. Sekirei was the deputy chief of the Tokyo First Air Squadron.
At twenty-two, Sekirei was both talented and the highest-ranking officer present.
Sekirei steeled herself, knowing she had to take full responsibility for the survival of her six subordinates.
On their way back from scouting a training location, they had been struck by an unexpected mechanical failure at low altitude. Thanks to a skilled pilot, what should have been a crash became an emergency landing. No one appeared to have suffered life-threatening injuries, but the situation was grim. They had made their emergency landing on a plain, quite far from the ocean.
Being on solid ground made her acutely aware of the powerful creatures lurking nearby. Her senses were unnaturally sharp, and Sekirei's skin prickled with unease.
When she looked toward the cockpit, she saw the two pilots struggling to get out.
Injured?
While quickly tying back her hair, Sekirei peered into the cockpit.
Yes, Deputy Chief Sekirei. Someone's hurt.
The pilot nodded calmly.
As far as Sekirei could see, the pilot wasn't injured. But the copilot beside him was clearly in pain. She could tell he'd hurt his leg.
Serious?
Yes. I believe so.
Sekirei called for reports from her subordinates outside. The crew members inspecting the helicopter reported no fuel leaks.
With danger past for now, Sekirei turned back to the pilot.
Let's get him out carefully. No need to rush. No fuel leaks to worry about.
Sekirei worked with the pilot to extract the copilot from the aircraft. The man had clearly broken bones and was grimacing in pain.
You'll be fine. Help will come from the sea soon.
While reassuring the copilot, Sekirei examined the injured area. There was no external bleeding, which meant it wasn't a compound fracture. Thank goodness. Leaving the treatment to the pilot, Sekirei looked around for a splint.
The area offered a clear view of several groves and hills. Mountains stretched to the east and south, a wide river flowed to the north, and to the west she could see abandoned residential areas and fields. Trees larger than telephone poles stood tangled with power lines, their branches and leaves growing through houses.
This was Hachioji, a former city. Once prosperous as a bedroom community that had attracted significant redevelopment investment, it was now completely empty of people. How things change, Sekirei thought as she looked up at the sky.
The blue sky was cloudless.
The grass and trees whispered in a cool breeze. If she lay down on the grass, she would probably be lulled to sleep by the peaceful signs of spring. If only this weren't on land.
Picking up a splint, Sekirei turned on her heel. She approached the elderly man who was unloading weapons and ammunition from the helicopter and testing their operation.
Genbo, have you ever been in a situation like this before?
Just once.
Genbo, Sekirei's assistant, replied in his usual calm, low voice. Like Sekirei, the bearded older man was carefully scanning their surroundings. His uniform, modeled after the old Maritime Self-Defense Force style, looked as weathered as the man himself.
Genbo, should we wait here or move?
It's a long way to the sea, and we've got wounded. If we're going to move, we'd have to leave them behind.
Then we wait for rescue.
Sekirei made the call immediately and handed the makeshift splint to the pilot.
How long until rescue arrives?
They said it'll take more than twenty minutes.
The pilot's response was brief. He had already armed himself with a submachine gun and spare magazines—the pilot's self-defense weapons from the cockpit.
There might be civilian aircraft in the area. Keep trying to contact them too.
The pilot nodded.
Understood, Deputy Chief.
I want to get the rocket rounds out of the launch pods. Where are the tools and portable launcher?
Under the rear seats.
The pilot answered and began securing the splint to the copilot's leg.
The Air Squadron's utility helicopter was armed.
External weapon stations jutted out from both sides of the helicopter, each carrying a 12.7mm heavy machine gun mounted on top and a launch pod suspended below. The pods contained rocket rounds equipped with simple guidance systems. These needed to be extracted from the launch pods and prepared for infantry use.
Sekirei assembled the Air Squadron members, quickly explained the task, and handed out the necessary tools.
We'll set up defensive positions with the helicopter at our backs. Everyone, remember—we're on solid ground!
Yes ma'am!
Remember your training. Let's begin.
Aye ma'am!
At Sekirei's command, the Air Squadron members sprang into action.
They propped fallen logs against the helicopter, scattered branches and leaves for camouflage, and dug up earth to pile into defensive barriers—all while ensuring clear fields of fire for the heavy machine gun. They extracted aircraft biofuel from the utility helicopter and spread it along the southern perimeter, hoping it would repel yggbeasts. If that failed, they'd use it for incendiary attacks.
They positioned a machine gunner at the weapon station and reinforced the flanks with riflemen and rocket shooters. The Air Squadron members worked with practiced efficiency, their daily training evident in every movement. An improvised defensive position centered on the helicopter's machine gun firepower quickly took shape. Still, their weapons and ammunition were limited.
Even once the defensive position was complete, it would offer far from perfect protection—nothing more than a last-ditch effort.
The Air Squadron members seemed to understand this too, judging by their grim expressions. In desperate times like these, they needed composure more than ever. Sekirei wanted to lift their spirits with some humor, but the right words wouldn't come to her.
We can only pray they don't come from directly below.
Genbo, portable shovel in hand, suddenly spoke up.
At least pray they don't come at all, Genbo.
Quite so.
Hehe!
Genbo chuckled and scratched his graying head. The gesture was so wonderfully out of place in this tense situation that it brought smiles to everyone's faces.
Sekirei felt deeply grateful for his thoughtfulness in easing everyone's tension. Genbo had been supporting her since childhood. It was only thanks to his backing that the much older Air Squadron members had never dismissed Sekirei as just a young girl.
The moment of relief was short-lived—the wrongness announced itself first as a scent.
When a woody fragrance like Japanese star anise began drifting through the air, they started emerging from the groves and grass, from beneath the ground. Many species had bodies closely resembling mammals or reptiles, yet their surfaces were covered not with fur or scales, but with leaves and flowers. They possessed muscles of plant protein and bones derived from vegetation—creatures capable of photosynthesis yet bearing the skeletal structure of vertebrates.
Yggbeasts—that's what these land creatures were called.
A diverse array of species had been confirmed. Some unleashed powdered magnesium flames from their mouths, some armored their entire bodies with highly toxic, razor-sharp leaves, some formed mineral blades on their heads, and so on.
Despite such diversity, they shared one common trait: they attacked humans.
The yggbeasts that appeared before Sekirei and the others were a species that hunted in packs. Their silhouettes resembled wolves or large dogs. The thorn-like organs covering their bodies writhed constantly, and small, venomous purple flowers bloomed where their eyes should have been. Their long, thick upper canines looked like wooden stakes.
Yggbeasts spotted! Bramblers!
One of the Air Squadron members called out, pointing north.
Everyone, take combat positions!
Sekirei stopped construction of the defensive position and ordered the Air Squadron members to take their assigned positions. Moving from this crash site would only put them in an even worse situation.
Prepare to fire!
Racking her pistol's slide as she gave the command, Sekirei slowly exhaled.
This wasn't the worst-case scenario, but it would be soon.
Genbo, I'd rank this situation third-from-the-bottom.
So it would seem.
Genbo chambered a round and disengaged the safety on his 7.62mm automatic rifle. The Air Squadron members followed suit. The sound of weapons being readied was discouragingly sparse compared to the number of yggbeasts before them.
Ten, twenty, thirty . . . Sekirei stopped counting at fifty.
Whether emboldened by their overwhelming numbers, repelled by the aircraft biofuel spread along the southern perimeter, or deliberately trying to drive the Air Squadron members south, the pack approached boldly from the north.
Target the pack leaders! Fire!
Even after Sekirei gave the order to fire, the Air Squadron members didn't begin shooting wildly.
They had to shoot carefully, one shot at a time, to hit their targets. Yggbeasts weren't stupid. Gunfire alone would only make them flinch for a short while. But if bullets actually hit, the pack would definitely flinch. By accurately taking down the bold individuals going for first blood, they could prevent a mass assault by the entire pack.
The helicopter's machine gunner was also firing in short bursts. Sekirei's plan was working, the Air Squadron members moving as one cohesive unit—for now at least. Even so, the yggbeast pack gradually closed in on their defensive position.
One section of the pack swelled in size and surged forward. Sekirei barked instructions and pointed to indicate the target. The rocket shooter quickly moved into firing position.
Blast them apart!
The rocket launcher answered Sekirei's command with devastating firepower.
Explosion, shock, and billowing dust engulfed the pack's vanguard, tearing them to shreds in an instant, breaking apart the pack's spearhead. The helicopter's heavy machine gun swept through with merciless follow-up fire, scattering the yggbeast horde into chaos.
Sekirei's face remained completely composed as she focused on observing the entire pack.
A memory from a childhood history class flashed through Sekirei's mind—an old arcade game where you'd hammer down alligators as they popped their heads out of holes, sending them scurrying back underground. The situation felt remarkably similar.
Right down to how the more you hammered them, the faster they kept coming.
The situation was only getting worse.
Their already meager ammunition continued to dwindle, but the yggbeast pack showed no signs of retreating. The creatures slowly spread into a crescent formation, creeping toward the worst possible scenario—complete encirclement. A heavy tension settled over the Air Squadron members, draining the life from their faces.
At the same time, everyone understood that if even one person broke and ran, their fragile defensive line would crumble instantly and they'd be overrun. Every second stretched endlessly.
It was a dead end—they couldn't hold out, and they couldn't escape.
Crushing despair settled over Sekirei and her team like a suffocating blanket. Though Sekirei kept her expression steady, that creeping dread was more terrifying than anything else.
Another section of the pack began to mass, much larger this time.
The rocket shooter was reloading. The helicopter machine gunner had just started changing ammunition belts—the worst possible timing. The massing pack spread into a fan formation and charged their defensive position.
The god of war had abandoned them. They couldn't stop this assault.
A great wave of flowering thorns surged toward the utility helicopter.
The Air Squadron members began falling back when Sekirei froze.
The ground erupted. Before the artillery's thunderous report could fully register—before Sekirei could process the sight of the collapsing yggbeast vanguard and rising dust—it struck again.
The fan-shaped assault formation was hammered back and compressed by the two artillery strikes.
At this miraculous fire support, Sekirei spun around. Something moved against the sun's glare. Sekirei shaded her eyes and realized it was a helicopter.
A lifeline—Sekirei lunged for the radio.
This is Deputy Chief Sekirei of the Tokyo Bay First Air Squadron. Thank you for your assistance!
Hey, don't mention it. But from here on, it'll come with a price tag.
A woman's husky voice came through the radio. This wasn't some good Samaritan rushing to help after hearing their emergency broadcast—this was someone ready to exploit people in desperate straits. That casual tone and naked opportunism screamed civilian pilot.
So, what'll it be?
You get nothing by abandoning us here. Help us further, and I promise you'll get something worthwhile in return.
Ha! That's some pretty gutsy bargaining.
The voice on the radio laughed cheerfully. Something about it struck Sekirei as oddly familiar.
Will you help us?
Those few seconds waiting for an answer stretched endlessly.
The response didn't come in words.
It came as a single artillery shell that obliterated the yggbeast directly ahead.
Steady artillery support kept the yggbeast pack at bay, driving them back with pinpoint accuracy. Each shell controlled the pack's momentum, restricting their movement with surgical precision—more skillfully than Sekirei and her team could manage, achieving maximum effect with minimal firepower. It was magnificent gunnery that revealed the pilot's exceptional expertise.
Everyone! An angel has arrived! Fight back—we're getting out of here alive!
The Air Squadron members' expressions softened momentarily, then hardened with determination. Their resolve had been rekindled. Their shooting accuracy, which had started to slip, recovered magnificently.
Perhaps overwhelmed by that renewed fighting spirit, the yggbeast pack stopped advancing.
Then the yggbeast packs closing in from both flanks began retreating en masse. Some headed toward the river and mountains, others disappeared underground—their earlier ferocious assault now seemed like a distant nightmare.
We did it!
One Air Squadron member raised his fist triumphantly, but a chill ran down Sekirei's spine. The wind shifting in from the west carried a dense fragrance like Japanese cypress.
Uh oh, this is bad . . . it's coming from the residential area.
Nine o'clock!!
The report from the Air Squadron matched the information received over the helicopter’s radio.
The ground tremor reached them with a delay, reverberating through their bodies.
The ground bulged violently, and earth and sand erupted like a geyser. Several small branches shot into the air, one hurtling toward the utility helicopter.
It wasn't a small branch. It was a massive tree. It grazed the utility helicopter with a sound that made Sekirei flinch, then drove itself into the ground.
Sekirei's heart pounded with an ominous rhythm, her pulse quickening as her shoulders tensed. The creature that had so effortlessly hurled a tree as thick as a human torso through the air was emerging from between the trees.
It rose smoothly through the dust cloud kicked up by the collapsed buildings.
Its total height was fifteen meters or more.
It was much larger than a three-story house.
Though buildings blocked the view of its full body, its lower half resembled a compound-eyed insect. The lower portion revealed a glossy exoskeleton supported by multiple thick legs. Its upper half bore six long arms folded close to its body. Raised like a cobra's head, the upper half looked more like a mythical centaur than a snake.
Its head bore eyes and a mouth set on a thick horn, with small holes arranged along either side.
Its body was colored in a green that could have been moss or vegetation. From the ends of its flowing green appendages, like unraveling thread, debris fell—earth, power lines, street signs, and fragments of the city. Just shifting its body produced sounds like giant trees creaking. Individual differences were extremely pronounced, and while it shared features with pre-Great Collapse creatures, it was unlike any of them.
An old saying goes: "Dragons resembling bird and beast."
Therefore, they are called this.
. . . An yggdragon . . . no way, not one of those . . .
Someone among the Air Squadron members spoke in a weak voice. The ray of hope they had finally glimpsed was fading. Even Sekirei felt like her legs might give out if she let her guard down.
The trees around the yggdragon rustled, and dead trees began blooming with flowers, fruit, and greenery one after another. The green changed to yellow and red, then became dead leaves that scattered. This abnormally accelerated plant life cycle around yggdragons—this characteristic phenomenon is called the yggdragon reaction.
Ah, damn it—Deputy Chief Sekirei, it's heading this way!
Rocket rounds?
Ready to fire!
Target the torso. Follow training and there's no problem. Rear all clear!
Sekirei patted the shooter's shoulder, though she knew they faced major problems.
The shooter knelt and fired the rocket round.
The rocket streaked forward with a thin trail of black smoke, scoring a direct hit on one of the multi-legged joints and blowing off about two legs. The yggdragon staggered but quickly regained its footing. The wounds it had sustained were already healing rapidly.
At this rate, no matter how many rocket rounds they had, it wouldn't be enough.
Load the next round, hurry—Wait! Fall back!
As the yggdragon approached, plants throughout their defensive position began to rustle. Tree roots swelled and bulged, grass grew visibly taller, and weeds and vines started wrapping around the crashed helicopter.
The yggdragon's head was aimed directly at Sekirei and the others. It paid no attention to the Air Squadron members' suppressing fire. Horrible vibrations and the acrid smell of burning tree sap drew closer.
At that moment, something flew past right beside the yggdragon. Then the ground beneath the creature's feet exploded. It was that light helicopter. It appeared to have dropped a hand grenade as it passed by. The yggdragon's head reacted to the light helicopter's interference and turned away from Sekirei and the others. It was trying to capture the yggdragon's attention and draw it away from Sekirei's group.
Cease fire! Cease fire!
Sekirei's orders to the Air Squadron members came almost simultaneously with the light helicopter's bombardment.
A glowing net covered the yggdragon. It was probably shrapnel rounds loaded with tracer bullets.
Using its thick horn, the yggdragon weathered the glowing shrapnel. The horn must have been incredibly hard—several of the pellets ricocheted off. The yggdragon's movements seemed designed to protect some part of its body.
What a strange helicopter . . .
Sekirei frowned at the appearance of this flying angel.
It was probably based on the OH-6D, a small observation helicopter. The compact aircraft known as the "flying egg" was distinctive. It had been heavily modified and was somewhat larger than a normal OH-6D. It was remarkably quiet—the characteristic helicopter noise was barely audible. The rotor blades apparently used yggdragon materials. Instead of military emblems, moss patterns were painted on the aircraft's side panels.
What particularly caught the eye was the rod-like object protruding from the aircraft's right side. It was a gun barrel, disproportionately large for such a light helicopter, with a gunner's seat extending from the left side of the aircraft.
Sekirei recognized the fierce uniqueness radiating from the light helicopter.
. . . That helicopter, could it be . . . ?
Sekirei's murmur was drowned out by the yggdragon's roar. She grimaced and covered her ears against the ear-splitting scream. The mass of sound struck from above, making her instinctively duck her head.
The yggdragon seemed to have lost interest in Sekirei and the others and began pursuing the light helicopter. Apparently, having a few legs blown off by rocket rounds meant the humans on the ground could wait.
They're at a serious disadvantage fighting an yggdragon . . .
Genbo said this while changing his rifle magazine, his eyes tracking the light helicopter's movements. The standard protocol for yggdragons was to engage them with multiple attack helicopters.
Genbo, if we interfere carelessly, the yggdragon's attention will turn back to us. Until rescue arrives, we need that single aircraft to somehow buy us time—
We're taking the yggdragon's main body. Got it?
A husky voice interrupted over the radio, cutting off Sekirei's words.
What does that mean?
Your share is just the legs that got blown off.
The voice over the radio sounded gleeful. Sekirei didn't know how to respond to this unexpected reply.
Please excuse her. We meant to say we can handle this—please leave it to us.
?!
Sekirei was even more confused.
A new voice had cut in over the radio. A young man's voice—eighteen or younger, probably. His polite manner of speaking made him sound incongruously calm for the situation.
It had to be the pilot of that light helicopter.
. . . Do you intend to defeat it? Just one aircraft against an yggdragon . . . ?
Sekirei muttered to herself while looking up at the light helicopter.
2
Understood. We'll leave the yggdragon to you.
I got their word. Yabusame, that thing is ours!
Mozu, sitting in the rear gunner seat, called out joyfully to Yabusame in the cockpit.
Her messy hair was hastily tied up, and her mouth turned up in a grin. Mozu's eyes sparkled with more delight than a little girl at a festival, her tanned skin and prominently scarred leather jacket forgotten in her excitement.
Few women lived so far removed from hair treatments and cosmetics, so close to gunpowder and death's edge. Mozu's features would show sharpness if she composed herself, but her personality and behavior ruined that effect. She appeared to be in her late twenties, yet possessed both judgment skills and childishness that seemed inconsistent with that age.
Even after five years together, Yabusame couldn't guess Mozu's actual age.
This time, skim right alongside the yggdragon, Yabusame.
Mozu called out her confident instructions to Yabusame in the right-side pilot seat.
Yes, Captain Mozu.
Copilot Yabusame replied in his usual calm manner.
Narrowing his gentle eyes, Yabusame kept the yggdragon in sight. He was of average height with youthful features, wearing a brightly colored leather jacket over a white shirt. At eighteen, he had the refreshing, ordinary appearance of a calm young man.
Yabusame worked the controls with hands and feet, making the aircraft dance through the air. He focused intently on gauging the distance to the yggdragon and increased altitude.
Piloting the light helicopter OH-6D Rev.—the Silent Queen—he positioned himself behind the yggdragon.
Here we go, Captain.
Yabusame controlled his quickening heartbeat.
He pushed the control stick forward and dove from behind the yggdragon. He pulled up just above the ground and skimmed alongside the yggdragon as instructed. However, Mozu shook her head in dissatisfaction.
No, no! You need to skim past it, Yabusame. Closer!
Closer?
That's right!
Mozu sounded stubborn.
Unless they drew the yggdragon far away from the Air Squadron members on the ground, they couldn't fight without restraint. For that, they needed to monopolize the yggdragon's attention. That was probably Mozu's intention.
Close enough to mow down the yggdragon's flowers with our rotor blades!
That's too reckless—
That's what your master is telling you, Yabusame. How should an apprentice answer?
Mozu's question was simple, delivered with her usual energy.
Put that way, there was only one answer for Yabusame as her apprentice.
Roger that! Master!
Yabusame steeled himself and raised the aircraft's altitude again.
Hah! Master doesn't fit me at all. You'd better call me Captain!
With that silly talk, Mozu was pulling the pin from a hand grenade.
Timing his dive, Yabusame swooped alongside the yggdragon. When Yabusame looked back to check, white petals were scattering from the yggdragon's surface.
Mozu had pulled the pin from the hand grenade and dropped it toward the yggdragon as they passed by.
The yggdragon must have found it thoroughly annoying.
Hit by the grenade explosion, the clusters of small flowers forming patterns on the yggdragon's upper body changed color in waves. The pure white flowers took on a pale pink tinge, then turned deep crimson in the blink of an eye.
The yggdragon was tracking the Silent Queen's movements along its body's centerline.
It took the bait, Yabusame!
The Silent Queen flew quietly, and Mozu's husky voice carried well in its cramped confines.
From her position in the protruding rear gunner seat, Mozu was adjusting the starboard cannon's sights. The foldable starboard cannon was a naval-class weapon capable of firing 40mm shells at three times the speed of sound. Yabusame could see that Mozu's intention to take down the yggdragon remained unchanged.
Captain Mozu, wasn't the original plan just to provide support?
He asked from the right-side pilot seat.
Two tasty meal tickets just rolled right into our laps.
How else are you gonna live if you don't get more thick-skinned?
Mozu's voice carried a note of exasperation.
They say if you chase two rabbits, you'll catch neither, Captain.
That's just because the hunter's aim is poor.
Laughing, Mozu patted her own arm. Yabusame grimaced. The risk of trying to take down the yggdragon with a single aircraft was far greater than simply keeping it distracted until rescue arrived.
But once Mozu set her mind on something, she never backed down.
Mozu's seemingly arrogant attitude was backed up by her impressive track record. And because of their master-apprentice dynamic, Yabusame had no choice but to give in.
Agh, fine . . . Captain, what's its weak point? You've got it figured out, right?
Of course.
She declared with complete confidence.
Mozu had probably identified the yggdragon’s weak point when she used a shrapnel shell to provoke a defensive reaction. She had packed the shrapnel shell with tracer rounds to make it easier to see which part the yggdragon was trying to protect.
Is the weak point its chest?
Nope, it's the left shoulder. Your assessment skills still need work, Yabusame.
You're just too sharp, Captain.
Grumbling under his breath, he readjusted his grip on the control stick.
The distance between the crashed utility helicopter and the yggdragon was good. While keeping the yggdragon pursuing the Silent Queen in sight, Yabusame focused on maintaining the right distance—neither too close nor too far.
It's going well so far.
Yabusame thought as he quickly entered a turn. The horizon tilted along with the Silent Queen's banking. Feeling the shifting gravity and inertia against his body, Yabusame checked on the Air Squadron members.
The Air Squadron members were holding their fire.
They understood Yabusame and Mozu's intent to draw the yggdragon away from the crashed aircraft. They must have an excellent commander.
We came out to make some cash and scored a manageable-sized yggdragon right away—we're in luck.
Mozu was counting on her fingers, counting her chickens before they hatched.
Enjoying other people's misfortune will come back to bite you, Captain.
Well, blowing away other people's misfortune to borderline happiness with some well-placed artillery is part of the job too. Oh, Yabusame, the yggdragon's started taking deep, ominous breaths.
Roger, I can see it.
The yggdragon's throat bulged dramatically, and its upper body arched back slightly. The small holes lined up beside its horn began closing, and the horn tip tracked the Silent Queen's movements. A large opening appeared at the tip of the horn.
Here it comes.
It was the yggdragon's attack called a seed cannon. The moment Yabusame recognized what was happening, the explosive roar of the seed cannon firing struck them. The impact sounds from behind the Silent Queen resonated deep in his gut.
However, Yabusame's piloting was one step ahead of the yggdragon.
He dropped altitude to fly just above the surface, using hills and forests as shields. If he had been even a moment slower, the Silent Queen might have been vaporized. Trees were uprooted, earth and sand exploded upward in billowing clouds, and the hilltop was completely gouged out. A light helicopter like the Silent Queen wouldn't survive even a glancing blow.
Single shot—thank goodness.
There are also yggdragons that fire buckshot or explosive rounds. Yggdragons that change the type of seed cannon based on their distance from the target to improve accuracy are nothing short of terrifying.
I'll use the terrain to my advantage . . .
Remembering something Mozu had once taught him, Yabusame exhaled softly.
Using hills and residential areas as shields, he maneuvered the Silent Queen around to the yggdragon's left side. He was flying at ultra-low altitude—so low that tall grass might scrape the Silent Queen's underside. From the cockpit, it looked like they were gliding over the ground. Flying smoothly in a forward-leaning posture, they resembled a tiger stalking its prey while hidden in the grass.
This flying method that follows the terrain's undulations is called low-altitude flight.
During the era when humanity's greatest enemy was humanity itself, aircraft conducting covert operations in dangerous airspace used this technique to reduce radar and visual detection. Low-altitude flight is an essential flight pattern for avoiding yggdragons' long-range attacks and launching surprise attacks. It transforms helicopters' weakness—being limited to low speeds—into a strength by making terrain utilization easier.
However, low-altitude flight made the already complex task of piloting a helicopter even more complicated. It increased the risk of colliding with power lines or groves of trees, wearing down the pilot's nerves. Still, being unable to execute this smoothly was tantamount to losing a valuable countermeasure against yggdragons.
Abandoning the residential area that served as camouflage, Yabusame rapidly closed the distance to the yggdragon.
The yggdragon seemed ready to intercept them, its throat swelling dramatically. But perhaps unable to pick up the Silent Queen’s quiet engine noise, it was looking completely the wrong way.
Yabusame's maneuvering was superb. He secured a clear line of fire for Mozu's starboard cannon, slipping into range where the yggdragon's limbs couldn't reach them while maximizing the cannon's accuracy.
Got you!
The cannon roared right after Mozu's shout.
Mozu's bombardment was flawless, but the yggdragon was faster. It twisted its massive body with incredible speed and leaped back, landing with a thunderous crash.
Yabusame swallowed hard.
Nine wooden spears woven from tree roots had emerged around the yggdragon's feet. Vines stretched between the spears—what looked like an anti-cavalry barrier aimed at the Silent Queen.
The drifting dust clouds made it difficult to see.
The yggdragon had apparently fired its seed cannons straight down as it leaped back. If Yabusame had charged through the dust cloud in pursuit, the Silent Queen would have been skewered. Beyond the smoke, the yggdragon had folded its long arms. Even if the Silent Queen had broken through the barrier, it was ready to swat them down.
Obscuring vision with seed cannons and laying traps to ambush the Silent Queen—this yggdragon was a cunning beast.
The starboard cannon's shell had apparently missed the yggdragon and struck the base of some trees. A tree with a shattered trunk was leaning against its neighbor.
Somehow evading the retaliatory seed cannons, Yabusame circled around while gaining distance.
Agile little bastard.
Mozu clicked her tongue as the heavy sound of shell ejection echoed.
Captain, what do we do?
Before Mozu could answer Yabusame's question, the yggdragon's roar filled the air.
The yggdragon swayed its head left and right, moving its massive body toward the Silent Queen. It had probably decided that the Silent Queen's firepower couldn't deliver a fatal wound. Its movements radiated absolute confidence in its superiority.
Yabusame, don’t force an attack when your opponent has the momentum.
Mozu spoke without taking her eyes off the yggdragon.
Fighting spirit could tip the scales in any battle. Yabusame nodded at Mozu's assessment.
Roger. Then we'll flee with our tails between our legs.
When Yabusame spoke meaningfully, Mozu let out a quiet laugh.
That's good. Run away as pathetically as you can, Yabusame.
Following Mozu's instructions, Yabusame wheeled the Silent Queen around and fled.
Unwilling to let the Silent Queen escape in such a cowardly retreat, the yggdragon began pursuing in a straight line. It rapidly closed in on the Silent Queen, which could exceed two hundred kilometers per hour. The legs that had been torn off by the Air Squadron's rockets had already regenerated completely. The way it kicked across the field with multiple legs, sending tremors through the ground as it scattered grass and trees, advancing regardless of terrain—it moved with the bearing of an absolute predator.
However, the wariness and cunning that had seemed so at odds with its massive body had now faded.
Even when it reached the river, the yggdragon didn't hesitate, sending up massive water sprays as it closed in on the Silent Queen.
Yabusame didn't miss this opportunity. Smoothly rotating the Silent Queen's nose ninety degrees horizontally, he made the aircraft slide sideways until the starboard cannon's muzzle locked onto the yggdragon.
The coordination between Yabusame and Mozu was flawless, while the yggdragon's movements in the middle of the wide river were sluggish. For creatures that kicked off solid ground, mobility was completely different between land and water.
One cannon shot.
Mozu struck true, piercing the core in the yggdragon’s left shoulder.
A scream cut through the cannon's echo, and several of the yggdragon's left arms tumbled into the river.
Like puppet strings suddenly tangled, the yggdragon's body swayed unnaturally. Even the powerful regenerative abilities were useless when their source was gouged out by a shell.
The yggdragon hurriedly turned and began to flee, but there was no strength left in its movements. The vivid petals on its head scattered one after another, and it collapsed on the shore with its lower body still submerged. Perhaps trying to crawl up onto land, it writhed about three times and clawed at the sandy shore—then it was over.
Yabusame brought the Silent Queen around in a gentle turn. Mozu kept the starboard cannon's muzzle trained on the yggdragon.
Countless bright red petals flowed from the massive body into the river.
The stream of petals announced the yggdragon's death as if carving wounds across the river's surface. The scene was unlike anything from plants withering or beasts drawing their last breath.
The weeds that had been rustling frantically around the yggdragon suddenly stopped their rapid growth.
. . . It's over.
Finally Mozu relaxed her guard, and Yabusame exhaled deeply.
As soon as it ended, his heart began pounding rapidly, and Yabusame fought to keep his hands from shaking.
That adrenaline rush afterward is the best part, isn't it?
Five years had passed since he'd first met Mozu, but Yabusame still couldn't understand her.
A single trail stretched from the yggdragon's corpse toward the Air Squadron's utility helicopter.
Yabusame followed the yggdragon's trail with his eyes. The single swath of green leaves, autumn colors, and dead foliage, viewed from above in the Silent Queen, looked like yuzen-dyed fabric spread across the field. Few creatures could carve such a path into the earth. No matter how many times he witnessed it, Yabusame couldn't help finding the sight breathtaking.
Yabusame, you've gotten better at luring them.
At Mozu's praise, Yabusame glanced at the starboard cannon.
Well, I can't let you fire such a vicious weapon repeatedly. Every time you pull the trigger, a ridiculous amount of money goes flying.
But it has the finest tone, doesn't it? The smell is irresistible too. When you think of it that way, it's cheap.
Patting the starboard cannon's ejection lever, Mozu breathed deeply.
Mozu seemed to be savoring it like the aroma of freshly ground coffee. Most of the gunpowder smell should have vented outside the aircraft, but she didn't mind at all.
She's hopeless, Yabusame thought, shaking his head in exasperation.
Now then . . .
With the crashed Air Squadron helicopter nearby, Yabusame shifted his focus.
First we need to check on the Air Squadron crew, then we need to process the dead yggdragon.
Yabusame descended the Silent Queen near the Air Squadron helicopter.
Hovering precisely at ground level, he made a gentle landing.
When Yabusame cut the engine and stepped out of the cockpit, the starboard cannon barrel that had been protruding from the Silent Queen's side had retracted. Mozu must have folded it up.
Mozu was cleaning up shell casings the size of human arms that had rolled across the floor and removing the loaded 40mm shells. She showed no sign of leaving the gunner seat.
Yabusame tilted his head and looked at Mozu.
Don't you need to check on the Air Squadron crew, Captain?
I'll leave those troublesome things to you.
Mozu waved her hand dismissively. She’d never found greetings troublesome before, so what was different this time? Yabusame supposed that being left in charge was nothing new. But as he approached the Air Squadron helicopter, he quickly stopped wondering about it.
Greeted by a graceful woman, Yabusame found himself captivated by her.
Her glossy hair, tied back, flowed down her straight spine. She was picture-perfect just standing there. From her dignified bearing alone, you could tell she was a commander.
Even without an introduction, Yabusame was certain this woman was Sekirei.
Nice to meet you, Sekirei. I'm Yabusame. I'm the copilot of the Silent Queen.
Likewise. Let me formally introduce myself—I'm Sekirei, Deputy Chief of the Tokyo First Air Squadron.
Sekirei extended one hand. Her voice was much more beautiful than it had sounded over the radio. With her almost dazzling presence and striking appearance, she could be a talent on stage.
But when Yabusame grasped her hand in return, Sekirei's hand was unmistakably that of a warrior.
You saved us earlier. Thank you.
Though Sekirei's words were brief, her voice was crystal clear and her gaze direct. Her sincerity seemed to reach straight into his heart, and Yabusame straightened his spine.
. . . Not at all. But I believe you have the wrong person for that matter.
While responding to Sekirei's handshake, Yabusame gestured toward the Silent Queen with his free hand, looking confused.
She's the one who brought it down, and the Silent Queen's captain . . . er, pilot is over there.
. . . She's still making people call her captain instead of pilot . . .
Yabusame's eyes widened at Sekirei's exasperated comment.
Do you know Captain Mozu?
Yes, unfortunately.
Her tone hardened, and Sekirei remained where she was.
She didn't seem to intend to go thank Mozu. What a stark contrast—she had looked Yabusame in the eye, offered a handshake, and spoken heartfelt words to him.
Captain Mozu really is resented by everyone . . .
It was nothing new, but Yabusame found himself thinking about it again. Whether it was old debts or past grudges, he understood why Mozu hadn't wanted to go greet Sekirei.
. . . By the way, Sekirei.
What is it?
What are those people doing?
Yabusame was looking toward the crashed Air Squadron utility helicopter.
Air Squadron members were carefully examining the helicopter's engine and rotor areas, taking photographs. They had even removed the exterior panels and were inspecting the engine and rotor system. Sekirei was clearly directing the operation, her sharp gaze fixed on the crew as they worked.
Something about the scene struck Yabusame as strange.
For recovering a crashed aircraft, this seems pretty intense, don't you think?
Evidence for accident investigations is better when it's fresh and thorough.
Sekirei's voice had softened.
Curious about her response, Yabusame pressed further.
Wouldn't it be better to set up near the yggdragon? Are you all planning to stay here by the helicopter?
Yggbeasts didn’t like to approach yggdragons. Even when an yggdragon died, they often wouldn’t come near it for two or three days, as if fearing something. Fresh yggdragon corpses were used as yggbeast repellent.
The yggbeasts from earlier might return.
Even though Yabusame's suggestion made tactical sense, Sekirei shook her head firmly.
Yes, we'll stay here a bit longer. There are things we want to investigate.
Things to investigate . . .
From Sekirei's resolute tone, Yabusame realized she wasn't going to elaborate.
There must have been something that took priority over the risk.
I understand, Sekirei. If you spot any yggbeasts, please radio the Silent Queen.
I appreciate it.
Just as she finished speaking, a distinctive sound echoed from above.
. . . But it looks like we won't need to. Rescue's here.
Sekirei turned and looked up.
The thunderous beat of rotor blades—always more impressive over land than sea. Yabusame followed her gaze and spotted Air Squadron UH-60J Rev. and AH-1S Rev. helicopters approaching in tight formation.
The AH-1S Rev. attack helicopter bristled with weapons, but even the utility UH-60J Rev. was armed for combat. There was a gunner manning the heavy machine gun mounted on the utility helicopter's side.
With backup like that, Sekirei and her team would be fine. Yabusame nodded.
In that case, the Silent Queen will head for the yggdragon and start dismantling it.
Okay. Want us to send someone with you?
Yabusame hesitated at the offer. He and Mozu could handle the yggdragon processing alone, but having a skilled rifleman nearby would be reassuring on land. Yggdragon corpses might repel yggbeasts, but nothing was foolproof. Besides, it was a thoughtful gesture from Sekirei.
He gave a slight bow.
. . . Thank you. Just one person would be great. Someone good with a rifle.
Roger . . . Shiju!
Yes, Deputy Chief!
An Air Squadron member jumped down from the crashed utility helicopter's roof and jogged over. He was built like a tank—close-cropped hair, stern features, all business.
Shiju, go with them. They need extra hands for yggdragon processing.
Aye, ma'am.
Grab a rifle and extra mags. Keep an eye out for hostiles on the ground. We'll pick you up later.
Understood, Deputy Chief.
Shiju answered briskly, and Sekirei turned her attention back to the crashed Air Squadron helicopter.
While waiting for Shiju to grab his rifle and spare magazines, Yabusame bowed slightly.
Nice to meet you, Shiju. I'm Yabusame.
Likewise, Yabusame. I'm Shiju. Nice to meet you . . . I'm surprised someone so young was piloting that helicopter. That was a magnificent battle earlier.
Despite his stern features, Shiju's manner and voice were surprisingly pleasant.
Thank you. Well then, shall we go, Shiju?
Yabusame boarded the Silent Queen where Mozu was waiting and headed toward the downed yggdragon.
This time, they had used only three shells against the yggdragon.
The yggdragon was in very good condition. The sale price would be higher, and Yabusame smiled at the thought.
Well then, let's get this done quickly.
Mozu stepped down from the gunner seat and did some stretches.
Yes, Captain Mozu.
First we'll take photos. Yabusame, can you take some from above?
Mozu lay down beside the yggdragon. This would show the salvagers just how large the creature was. Yabusame hovered at an altitude of about ten meters with Shiju still aboard the Silent Queen. He had Shiju take photos with the camera Yabusame had given him.
When Yabusame landed the Silent Queen, Mozu was spray-painting marks in several places on the yggdragon's body. Without marking that the Silent Queen had killed it, they could end up in disputes with unscrupulous competitors.
They also attached a transmitter to the yggdragon.
Mozu was cutting into the yggdragon's body with her dismantling blade. She needed to extract the jewel core and heart that served as the yggdragon's energy source, wrap them in specialized plastic bags, and store them in protective cases.
They were after small, high-value parts.
One had to carefully distinguish between soft and hard parts. Otherwise, the dismantling blade could be damaged.
When it comes to utilizing plant-derived cellulose nanofiber, land monsters completely dominated the field. Their bodies were far lighter, stronger, thinner, and superior in both rigidity and durability compared to anything humans could create. Despite being made of plant fiber, some yggdragons even had defensive capabilities that rivaled steel fortresses.
Starting from where the shell had pierced the vital spot, Mozu worked her dismantling blade through the body, carefully selecting parts as she went.
Shiju, could you lend a hand? We're extracting the jewel core.
Watching Mozu's movements, Yabusame called out to Shiju.
We'll hook up ropes and use the winch to pull, so please help Captain Mozu over there.
Yeah, got it.
Shiju had been keeping watch around the perimeter with his automatic rifle, but now he nodded and climbed onto the yggdragon's massive body.
When Mozu secured the rope to the yggdragon's organs, Yabusame coordinated with her and carefully operated the Silent Queen's winch. A sac-like organ was pulled free, and when the sac split open, jewel-like fragments spilled out along with viscous, transparent liquid.
This had been the yggdragon's core—called a jewel core. Shattered by the bombardment, it had broken into jewel core fragments. Packed with energy, these fragments were essential for boosting grain and timber production, sewage treatment, and creating biofuel and pharmaceuticals. Every part of an yggdragon's body was a precious resource, but the jewel core was especially valuable, even when shattered.
Three fist-sized fragments . . . that's a good-sized jewel core for an yggdragon this size.
Picturing the buyers' expressions, Yabusame couldn't help but smile.
Uh, can I ask something?
What is it?
As Yabusame was wrapping the jewel core fragments in thick plastic bags, placing them in protective cases, and storing them in the Silent Queen, Shiju called out to him. A hesitant tap on his shoulder followed.
When Yabusame turned around, Shiju was nervously pointing at Mozu, looking confused.
Is it okay to leave that alone?
Mozu had climbed onto the monster's massive body and was gnawing on the yggdragon's flesh. She wasn't cutting it off with her dismantling blade or anything—just burying her face in it, tearing off chunks, chewing noisily, and swallowing.
Too bad. This one’s intensely bitter and astringent.
Apparently the flavor was mediocre.
. . . Hmm, but it's strangely addictive. Would probably be great stir-fried.
Still frowning, Mozu took another bite.
Even Shiju, with his closely cropped hair and stern face, looked unsettled by Mozu's impromptu meal. Yabusame reminded himself that most people would consider this eccentric behavior.
Yeah, you can leave her be.
Really?
It's normal for her.
Though Yabusame kept his tone pleasant, Shiju's cheek visibly twitched.
N-normal . . . is it?
Yes.
That is?
Shiju's gaze darted between Mozu and Yabusame as he wiped sweat from his forehead.
Yes.
Yabusame nodded calmly and elaborated.
You can apparently identify which specimens and parts are safe to eat by appearance, smell, and taste . . . or so I hear. Hardcore gourmets will even eat parts they probably shouldn't.
Yeah, but . . .
You've eaten yggbeast meat before, haven't you, Shiju?
Yggbeast bodies were mainly plant protein, but depending on the species, they tasted remarkably similar to beef or pork. Some were actually considered more delicious than real cattle, though it varied by individual.
Of course I've had the cooked stuff. But that's an yggdragon, and I've never seen someone just start gnawing on one right after killing it . . .
Shiju's voice carried a note of stunned amazement.
It was like jumping onto a freshly caught giant fish and taking bites out of it, scales and all. She was tearing into this towering, massive creature with the same casual attitude as someone snacking on a cucumber from their backyard garden. Even though some floating cities had banned vegetarian foods due to trauma from the Great Collapse, Mozu showed no hesitation whatsoever.
That’s a very civilized opinion. Though it’s lost on her.
Why did she bite into the yggdragon?
Because she was hungry, obviously.
. . . Huh? Oh, uh, yeah? Is that . . . really all there is to it . . . ?
. . . You don't think so?
Normally, I don't think you can explain something like that so simply.
Seeing Shiju's confusion, Yabusame suddenly realized what was happening. Lately, Mozu had been rubbing off on him too much. After five years with her, this kind of thing had just become everyday life for Yabusame.
This is bad. This is very bad . . .
Yabusame shook off these thoughts and dove back into the work.
With the extra help, they finished the job quickly. Whether it was Sekirei's orders or Shiju's natural work ethic, he proved to be very capable.
That was extremely helpful.
It's my duty.
He replied calmly, suggesting it was probably both reasons.
Yabusame returned Shiju to Sekirei and took off in the Silent Queen.
Their destination was Tokyo Bay, following the Air Squadron helicopter formation.
The Air Squadron helicopters maintained a perfect V-formation. Yabusame flew overland at cruising speed for a while and checked the Silent Queen's speedometer. Their speed was holding steady—the Air Squadron helicopters were flying at fuel-efficient speeds.
