The car Lina rode in stopped somewhere at a riverbank.
'Somewhere' was in the sense that Lina had no idea where it was, but
guessing from their travel time it should still be within the city or the
suburbs. Lina was surprised that such a metropolitan city like Tokyo
still had such places.
No lights were visible at all.
With the sedan's headlights turned off, as well as the lights of the bike
behind, the place was pitch black.
With no moon, and only the starlight to guide them through the
darkness, Tatsuya and Miyuki walked up.
All of a sudden, Lina was attacked by anxiety.
Her CAD had not been taken, but she no longer had her transmitter or
communications terminal. She hadn't been subject to a body check,
but all her equipment had been guessed and she had had no choice but
to obediently hand them over.
She was assured that they would be returned to her later, but for now,
she had no way of contacting her compatriots as to her whereabouts. A
satellite should have been monitoring her movements, but the ones
taking her here were skilled in the art of 'Ninjutsu', well known for
their illusionary shadow magic. It was more than plausible they could
fool even military grade high resolution satellite cameras.
—It was possible that she had been brought to this isolated place to be
confined. In the worst case, she may even be assassinated.
Lina tightly squeezed the CAD at her breast through her clothes.
—In that worst case, she would have to play her trump card.
"I can pretty much guess what you're thinking, but we're seriously
going to keep our word so relax."
It too all Lina had to not cry out. Being spoken to so suddenly, she
couldn't suppress a shiver. When she turned around, she saw Tatsuya,
who had closed in enough for his expression to be visible under the
starlight, laughing silently.
"I'm just reminding you of the conditions. If you answer the questions
I have, we'll drop you off at the station."
Being the other party, it was a very outrageous laugh.
"That's only if you win."
Naturally, Lina's voice was sour.
"Of course. In that case, we'll carry out the terms as well."
His shamelessness, not decreasing in the least, was irritating her more
and more, yet Lina knew that getting all worked up here would only
worsen her position.
Tightly clenching her teeth, she set her eyes behind Tatsuya —
towards Miyuki.
Eyes overflowing with fighting spirit stared back. Miyuki too was
already brimming with motivation.
"Now then...Lina may be dissatisfied with this, but the referee will be
Master. All he'll be refereeing however is deciding who wins and who
loses, so he won't be pausing the match or interfering partway
through."
"I knew that there would be no one but enemies here from the start, so
there's nothing to be dissatisfied over."
"That's very good grace."
Tatsuya cooly cruised over her sarcastic comment.
Her frustration had been boiling over, yet now Lina suddenly felt
calm.
"Then, this humble servant Kokonoe Yakumo will be your referee for
this match. The victory conditions are when one party surrenders, or is
rendered incapable of further combat. No killing please. That would
only lead to ill-will."
"Understood. That's perfectly fine."
"I'll finish everything long before that."
Miyuki nodded quietly, while Lina gave a spirited agreement.
While their attitude was contrasting, their absolute faith in their own
victory was shared.