Tayuma's goal back then was to have Kiriha or Tayuma himself killed by surface dwellers, which would draw the public opinion of the People of the Earth towards war. But having that fail gave the radical faction a reason to stay low.
In the foreground they were staying low, but in the background they were preparing for a large-scale war. If the radical faction became more inactive for no reason, there would be some that would question it. But with Tayuma defeated, there was no one that questioned their inactivity. They were able to earn several valuable months.
If Tayuma had succeeded the public opinion would sway. If he failed he would buy time for the radical faction to prepare for war. It was because he understood that, that Maguz listened to Tayuma's selfish demands and sent him to the surface.
“Maguz-sama is a great, broad minded person who even takes what someone as insignificant as me says into consideration. He is not someone the likes of you could ever defeat!”
Tayuma had a wide smile. Koutarou and the others were already in the middle of his trap. It was a smile of conviction.
“I won't let things go as you plan, Tayuma! I will capture you here, and Maguz right after!”
Kiriha sent a sharp glance and words at Tayuma.
I don't like that face... then!
Koutarou preferred Kiriha's normally gentle expression. Just like how he didn't want Yurika to be a magical girl, he didn't want Kiriha to be a commander in a battle. He wanted her to be her normal kind self and he wanted Kii to be her innocent self.
If Kiriha would have this expression as long as she had enemies, then those enemies needed to be defeated as swiftly as possible. Koutarou once more made up his mind and clenched his fist.
“Fuahaha. Sadly I can't agree to your demands. I will take my leave for today.”
“Tayuma?!”
However, Tayuma turned his back to Koutarou and the others. He had no intentions of fighting himself. The crowd of weapons moved and protected his back.
“Wait, Tayuma!”
“Kurano's daughter, if you wish to fight against me you'll first needed to defeat these. Well, neither Maguz-sama and I care if you die or survive this.”
Tayuma didn't listen to Kiriha and calmly left the passage. Koutarou and the others wanted to rush up and catch him, but the 16 weapons stood in their way. They couldn't do anything else until they destroyed these.
“...I'm sorry, Koutarou. And to you too, Clan, Harumi. The enemy is more troublesome than I thought.”
Tayuma calmly walked down the passage and disappeared behind a corner. After seeing that, Kiriha grinded her teeth in frustration. She realized how naive she had been.
“Don't sweat it.”
Koutarou smiled at Kiriha. When she looked into his eyes she noticed that they were different from normal. They held a strong determination in them.
“Once this is all over, I'll be satisfied as long as you give me a kiss with a smile.”
“...Koutarou...”
Those words alone caused Kiriha's strength to leave his shoulders.
That's right... this is the kind of person Onii-chan has always been...
Some of the anxiety she felt from her blunders was replaced with courage. Kiriha placed her hand above the card inside her clothes and smiled as she thought of feelings placed in it.
“Fufu... now you've said it. Then let's hurry up and end this so I can rain kisses down upon you.”
“I'll look forward to it... Blue Knight, give me my sword.”
“As you wish, my lord.”
Kiriha felt that no matter how strong he was, holding a weapon just didn't suit Koutarou. And for that reason as well, she wanted to reach a conclusion as quickly as possible.