Chapter 115: The Battlefield

My magic is running low. The Light-Speed Step (Lucion) drains a lot of energy—maybe I can do it just a few more times… Meanwhile, this Black Knight doesn’t even seem to be giving it his full power.

I should’ve listened to Leo’s warning… but couldn’t make use of it.

How can I save at least the kids…? Just thinking that, the Black Knight suddenly lowers his sword and starts walking away.

“Huh?”

He’s gone—just like that, as if losing all will to fight, vanishing into the darkness.

“Why…?”

◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇

“Freyja! You okay!?!”

I came rushing here after getting your call—Black Knight attacked you. Actually, I’d chartered a jet from the Swiss government and flew here as fast as I could…

“I’m fine. I told you, he’s gone now.”

We’re using a classroom from the Special Protection School to talk.

“In the worst case, I was going to call Gojo and ask for help.”

“You don’t need to bother Gojo with this.”

Just me, Elias, and Luca came here. Carlo and Anna are in England, but since the Black Knight showed up there, we can’t leave the kids’ side.

“So what was he like?”

“He looked just like the descriptions I’d heard. The fight… he was insanely strong… I think he’s even stronger than Leo.”

“Huh… Any distinctive fighting style?”

“I confirmed he used Barrier Art and Magic Sword. He’s sword-oriented—his combat style’s kind of like Leo’s.”

No one’s ever survived a fight with the Black Knight before. Freyja’s info is incredibly valuable.

"But why did the Black Knight just walk away from the fight?"

Elias asks the obvious question. That’s exactly what bugs me the most. He’s never stopped mid-battle before. Never.

"I don’t know… I was clearly losing, his victory was guaranteed. And yet he just… walked off. Like he’d lost interest. Just… that’s all."

"Just what?"

"Maybe it’s nothing… but I think he was looking for someone?"

"Looking for someone?"

What’s that supposed to mean? So he’s not just killing random supernatural users—there’s someone specific he’s after?

"Why do you think that?"

"Because he lost interest in me right after I used my strongest move. He left when I had nothing left to throw at him. Maybe he realized I wasn’t who he was expecting?"

We all fall silent after that. We just can’t figure out the Black Knight’s motive. Then Luca speaks up.

"If he’s hunting powerful supernatural users, maybe it’s Gojo. There’s no one stronger than him."

"Unlikely. Back then maybe, but now Gojo’s name and face are all over the place. If he’s looking for someone, he doesn’t need to search—he already knows."

I dismiss Luca’s idea. It just doesn’t make sense.

"…what if he’s not one of us?"

Elias’s words hit me like a punch.

"What do you mean?"

"It’s just a theory… What if someone’s sending monsters into our world? And when their monsters keep getting wiped out, they’d come investigate? But they can’t access our world’s info—different language, different writing."

Yeah… not impossible. Alexander did once say he felt some kind of will out there…

"So you came here to take down Gojo? The Black Knight?"

"Can't say for sure. It's just a hypothesis."

Elias answers Freyja's question with a vague shrug.

"Logic checks out. But then... one question pops up."

"What? Something on your mind, Leo?"

"If that hypothesis is right, then the enemy knows Gojo's strength. If they've been defeated by our powerful monsters, wouldn't they send a full squad? So why just one?"

Silence falls over the three of them after my words.

"Freyja, when you fought him—did he seem capable of beating Gojo?"

"No way. The Black Knight was strong... but Gojo’s power is off the charts."

Freyja answers Elias. That’s true—no way someone could beat Gojo, right? But...

"Something’s off. I don’t like it. Like we shouldn’t let Gojo and this 'Black Knight' cross paths. I just... feel it."

"Then don’t let them face off one-on-one. We’ll back you up—simple as that."

"Exactly. We’re not just window dressing, you know."

Luca and Elias ease my worry. Yeah, fighting alongside Gojo? Then we’d never fall behind.

"Yeah... I shouldn’t have said anything. Freyja, I need a favor."

"Hey, what’s this sudden?!"

"I want you to come back. Just until this mess is settled—please!"

I lock eyes with her, dead serious. With Alexander gone, our numbers are too thin. I really need Freyja back... but...

"Alright, got it, Leo. Can’t have the kids living in fear. I’ll help you take down the Black Knight—until it’s over."

Freyja brightened up and agreed, so Elias and I relaxed, relief showing on our faces.

"What now? Just wait around Gojo for the Black Knight to show up?"

"No. If he’s targeting Gojo, we can probably guess where he’ll strike next."

Elias and Luca seemed to catch on to what I meant.

"Where’s that?"

"Bangkok, Thailand. Gojo’s been summoned to a UN hearing. Imagine if the Sanctuary Knights or ‘Suzaku’ gathered there?"

"Means a bunch of powerful abilities all in one place?"

"Exactly. The hearing’s getting global attention. Even if the Black Knight can’t access intel, he’d notice something’s off."

"Not certain, but likely. So Bangkok’s... our battlefield?"

"Yep. That’s where it’ll end."

◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇

Hearing day —

I’d be flying from my base in Gifu to Bangkok, Thailand, via a Self-Defense Force aircraft. Sayonara to Sakuragi and Shimizu, and a few young Self-Defense Force members will be joining us.

"Gojo, don’t worry about the hearing itself, but there’ll be a ton of media. Just keep an eye on them."

Shimizu came to see me off. She’s climbed the ranks since last time—probably busy—but still worried about me. Nice.

"Understood. I’m off."

I closed the aircraft door, prepped for takeoff. Right now, we’re on this U-4 multi-role support aircraft—kinda feels weird using national funds for a ride like this.

Never been to Bangkok before, but with teleportation and flight, I could be there in seconds. Though if I said that out loud, Sakuragi’d probably call me an idiot again...

I was lost in thought when the fellow crew member beside me spoke up.

"Gojo-san, this is Tou-dou, Third-Class Air Lieutenant from Gifu Base. I don’t usually cross paths with you at Gifu Base, but I just wanted to say something."

"Yeah? What is it…?"

"I was on the front lines when Japan was attacked by monsters. I’m one of the people who would’ve died if it weren’t for you. I just… wanted to say thank you again."

"Hey, you don’t have to—"

"Still, there’s something I’d like to ask you, Gojo-san."

The crew member—Tou-dou—locked eyes with me, dead serious.

"Not a single person around me speaks ill of you. Everyone’s grateful. And I think that’s true everywhere in the world."

"Really? That’s… nice to hear."

"Those who criticize you just shout louder. But the number of people praising you? Overwhelmingly more."

He leaned in, voice firmer now.

"You’re pride for me. Pride for all of us Japanese. Just remember that… that’s all I wanted to say."

"...Thanks. I’ll remember."

Hearing it face-to-face? Kinda awkward. The aircraft began to move slowly, lifting off toward Bangkok.