Chapter 123: Epilogue: Shadow of History in Motion
"Finally, the day has come"
I check my attire in the mirror. A black suit, the most powerful spell-binding tool I possess. The long skirt that reaches my knees is stretchable and does not restrict my movement, and the white shirt is excellent at absorbing any shock. The stockings I wear couldn't be cut by any blade. I reach around my waist and touch the gun in its holster.
"Alright. Honjou Akane, Magic Investigator. Departure for her last mission."
I nodded to myself in the mirror. I left the room and get on the elevator. I left the company housing, calling out to the security robots, and headed on foot to the high-rise building where I worked.
"Oh, Akane-chan. Good morning."
"Good morning, Kobayashi-san."
Walking along the unpopular street in the cool morning air, I came across Kobayashi-san, who had opened the shutters of her store.
"You're pretty early today."
"Hinako-sama called me."
“Hinako-sama? That's a serious one...... you didn't do something, right?"
"Kobayashi-san. I'm still a magic investigator, you know? I'm not doing it anymore."
Perhaps it is because we have known each other since childhood, but the me in Kobayashi-san's mind never seems to grow from the prankster girl I was. Thanks to that, I have to smile wryly every time I see her.
"Ahaha. That's right. That little Akane-chan is already a splendid magic investigator, right?... Then, there's something I really want to ask you, Akane-chan."
Kobayashi-san suddenly lowered her loud voice which did not disturb the morning silence. I knew immediately what it was about.
"Did you find out anything about the impersonation of the Daimaou?"
Kobayashi-san's question was exactly what I had expected.
"Actually... that's what this call is about. I believe that at today's meeting, it will be decided that they will dispatch a magic investigator to the continent."
"Finally. It's totally out of character for Hinako-sama to make a move after more than a week."
“At first, Hinako-sama seemed to be ready to move immediately, but something happened, and the wait-and-see was not lifted until today.”
"What do you mean?"
“I don't know... but Hinako-sama must have had some deep thoughts in her mind.”
Kobayashi-san's plump body began to rock back and forth irritatingly. Even though I knew she wasn't going to fly at me, I involuntarily took a step back.
"Well, I guess so. But... no, are you willing to move?"
"Of course. Even if Hinako-sama ordered that we stand by again today, no spellcaster would follow her, including me."
"That's cool, Akane-chan. That imposter is frighteningly strong. If you challenge him, you might get hit back and suffer worse than death. No, I'm sure you will. And so will we. He will kill every last one. But you mustn't be afraid of that, okay?"
"Kobayashi-san..."
The good-natured Kobayashi-san's words made me sad. Why does she go to the trouble of saying such an obvious thing?
I showed her a salute as a magic investigator so that I could dispel the image of the child in Kobayashi-san's mind.
"Of course. Honjou Akane, Magic Investigator. I will find all those who talk about Daimaou-sama, those who disrespect Daimaou-sama, and those who offend Daimaou-sama, and I will eliminate them all until the end of my life.”
"Oh-ho-ho! That's why you're my rival, Akane."
I turned around to see the model noble laughing, and there she was, just as I had expected. Blonde-haired, blue-eyed beauty in a bright red dress, and behind her was a woman in a suit like mine, wearing round glasses.
"Yoshika. Shizuka. Good morning."
"Good morning. Akane-chan. And Kobayashi-san."
"Good morning, Akane and Kobayashi."
"Yoshika-sama. Good morning."
Kobayashi-san rushed to prostrate herself when she saw Yoshika, who is both a magic investigator and a noble spellcaster.
She unfolded the fan in her hand, blew a light breeze through her well-kept hair, and turned her blue eyes toward us.
"It's finally here, Akane. Are you ready?"
“Yes. I am fully prepared to respond immediately to any instructions that may be given."
“This time, our family will spare no effort in supporting the search. Let us surely find that imposter and make it pay for speaking out against the Daimaou-sama."
"Yeah. I'm sure we'll find it. We must find it and kill it. I have to find that person who has brought disgrace to my, our faith."
Shizuka scratched her hair. Curse power leaks out of her body.
"The enemy is powerful. If we challenge it, we will be killed, but I would like to take at least one of its arms for the sake of those who follow."
“Oh-ho-ho-ho! Don't worry. It has been decided that this time we will be using a family heirloom that has been passed down in the Narikin family for generations."
"Eh? Y-Yoshika-chan, is that the legendary magic weapon?"
Shizuka, who had been scratching her hair until it bled, stopped her hand.
The six treasures that were once bestowed by the Daimaou-sama. Kobayashi-san, who had been flattered by the conjuring aristocrat, looked up at the statement of the Narikin family who owned one of them.
“Yes, that's right. With that magic weapon that gives the user unparalleled power, we won't be defeated, even against a king."
"T-that's amazing, Yoshika-chan... Are? But wait. I'm pretty sure that's..."
“Yoshika, that's a weapon that should not be used in the war with a king. Isn't there some sort of pledge regarding its use?"
My hand naturally reaches for the gun in the holster.
Breaking the commandments of the Daimaou-sama in desire for victory. I don't think that Yoshika would commit such a mortal sin, but if she does, I will show no mercy, even if she is my friend.
Yoshika closed her fan with a loud sound.
"Don't worry. The reason why we did not use it in the past battles was that the Daimaou-sama's child, Celicia, was in the enemy camp. When the Daimaou-sama gave the treasure, she said, [You can use this as you like.] So there is no problem."
"W-what? I'm glad~ I was about to kill Yoshika-chan as a criminal."
"That's quite a frightening thought."
Shizuka and Kobayashi-san put away their curse needles, and I let go of the gun I was holding.
"Oh-ho-ho-ho! There is no way that I, and by extension the Narikin family, would ever go against the words of the Daimaou-sama. As you can see, I always carry the Daimaou-sama's scripture with me."
"I'm with you."
"It's natural. It's nothing to be proud of."
We showed each other the book in which the Daimaou-sama's words were written.
“Is Shizuka doing the autopsy today too? I like that too.”
"Hoh, even Yoshika-chan isn't always about the tastes of nobles. I think you need to read more."
"But the scripture decorations in your possession are always magnificent."
"Oh-ho-ho-ho! It's custom-made."
Many people carry the Daimaou-sama's Scriptures around as a talisman, in which one chapter is sold as a book, but only a few have such elaborate decorations. I envy them.......
“Yoshika, could you introduce me to a craftsman sometime?"
"Ah, me too! Yoshika-chan, me too!"
"Oh-ho-ho-ho! I'd love to, but it's very expensive."
“You guys, and Yoshika-sama. I don't think it's a good idea to keep Hinako-sama waiting too long.
Kobayashi-san's words made me check my watch in a hurry. Next to me, Yoshika spread her fan again.
"That's right. Why don't we quickly find out how Hinako-sama intends to hunt down the person impersonating the Daimaou-sama?"
"Since it is Hinako-sama, I am sure she will come up with an amazing method."
“Yes, I am sure Hinako-sama will think of a great way. After all, Hinako-sama is the only one who has had an audience with the Daimaou-sama."
It's been over 300 years since the magnanimous Daimaou-sama was sealed away by the kings. Our loyalty to the Daimaou-sama has been handed down over the years, but Hinako-sama is now the only spellcaster who has met the Daimaou-sama directly.
Our feet naturally quickened in anticipation and excitement as we wondered what kind of leadership the rare leader would wield.
...
“From now on, this country will use all its power to support the Daimaou-sama's impersonator.”
We were on the top floor of a high-rise building overlooking the city. Hinako-sama, who was sitting on a chair with a wall of glass in the background, said such a joke with her usual expression while not moving a millimeter.
"Yoshika, Shizuka. I will terminate this young hag."
"Of course. Die, you young hag."
"I-I hope you die, you young hag.
The gun was pulled out of its holster and fired at the young hag, who was resting her hands on the desk. Next to me, Yoshika threw a fan with a blade sticking out of its tip at the hag. Next to her, Shizuka, who had invoked her curse power, slit her wrists with a knife.
In the face of the attack with all the curse power we could muster, the slave crest engraved on the young hag's forehead and cheeks shone with a reddish-black.
"Curse: All things flow."
A swell of curse runs through the space, andーー
"Kyaa!?"
"Ah?"
"W-what?"
Numerous needles pierced my body. My body rolled on the floor with the impact. The needles that caused this intense pain were the curse needles I shot....... The two were also crawling on the ground due to the damage from their own attacks.
"……Immature."
The young hag gets up from her chair. The white kosode and black hakama. The black hair is still shiny after three hundred years. The crest is engraved not only on her cheeks and forehead, but also all over her body. The holy marks given directly by the Daimaou-sama are proof that she is the top. And yetーー
"Kuh... haa, haa... d-death penalty for traitors."
The trigger feels awfully heavy in my trembling hands. But stillーー
With a thud, the door opened behind me.
"Sweets~"
A voice that doesn't seem to fit the scene catches my attention.
"Eh? A... child?"
"W-why is there a child here?"
"Those black eyes and hair, could it be Hinako-sama's?"
The two who had finished healing themselves were also frozen in their positions. The young hag approached the child with a gait that did not alarm us at all.
"Dora-sama. Is something wrong?"
"Sweets~, where~? Sweets~!!"
Bang*! Bang*! When the child stomped on the floor, the floorboards shattered and cracks ran through the room.
"W-what's wrong with her? Has she eaten too much?"
“Y-Yoshika-chan. This is not at that level!?”
To destroy this curse-enhanced room with your feet. She looks like a normal child, but she's probably of a different race.
"……I am troubled."
As the young hag looked at the child with her usual iron mask, not even blinking, a man with blonde hair in an all-black came in through the door the child had opened.
"Hinako-sama? And... what are you guys doing?"
"Father!?"
The appearance of the current head of the Narikin family caused his daughter, Yoshika, who was lying on the floor, to open her eyes. Furthermore, a broad-shouldered, elderly man appeared from behind him.
"Is there trouble? You guys, I'll be cutting your pay."
The director who is overseeing the magic investigators. I was about to immediately report the treachery of the young hag, when my eyes caught a girl who appeared behind the two men.
Her skin was translucent white. Her silver hair and eyes were reminiscent of swords shining in the sunlight. The girl's atmosphere, and just that alone, told everyone that she was an extraordinary being.
The silver-colored girl, who must have known the child, frowned and approached her.
"Dora. What are you doing?"
"Mother. Sweets, there's no sweets."
"Can you hold back a little? And I told you I'm not your mother."
"...Onee-chan?"
"That's wrong too."
"Uu, uuu~!!"
Bang*! Bang*!
"...I'm troubled."
At the young hag's words, the silver girl put her hands to her temples as if to endure a headache.
"Yare, yare. Then sister is fine."
A big smile appeared on her face. The child jumped into the silver girl's chest.
"Onee-chan. Onee-chan."
"Troublesome."
The girl's face is a little bit old...... Perhaps this girl is older than us, or perhaps even older than Hinako-sama. The idea suddenly occurred to me.
The damage is probably still there, but Yoshika wobbles to her feet, perhaps out of sheer will as a noble.
"W-what in the world are you people?"
"Don't worry about us. We are the losers of this age. We have come down to this land again at the whim of the Lord and its child, but this is the first and last time we will be involved in your war. I will give you this message."
The silver girl took out a piece of paper and handed it to the young hag.
"What is it?"
"A message. If you are willing to follow the Daimaou-sama, he will help you to persuade the people only once. The details of how to contact him are written on this paper...... Are you really going to fight the Daimaou-sama?"
"Please don't play around. Whoーー"
"As long as it pleases the Daimaou-sama, we are willing to play any role."
Young hag... no, we were taken aback by Hinako-sama's words.
One life, not worth more than joy, not worth the fear of ruin.
The grateful words of the Daimaou-sama in the scriptures come back to our minds.
Looking around at us, the white girl showed us a complicated face, as if she was pitying us or envying us, just for a moment.
"Fuu. I'm sure she'll be happy. She loves stories that mix love and hate. But, human. You can't hope for peace beyond her joy, you know?"
"Our desire is to serve the Daimaou-sama, that's all."
"...I see. I guess so. Well then, little ones. I won't see you again."
The silver girl took the child's hand and left the room without looking back.
After a moment of silence, my gaze naturally focused on Hinako-sama.
“…Then, I will explain the matter and how we will go forward.”
...
"Haa, haa. H-how! Why did this happen!"
Everything is burning. The port town looks like a hellscape with no one left to protect it.
"Those guys. Ah, to have such a weapon. Bad, this is bad."
I ran for the outskirts of the town. Our defeat was already decided. There was nothing I could do, I only just graduated. Then I must at least live to tell the people about this threat. Butーー
"Damn it! T-that's unfair."
While all the countries were preparing their armaments to face the resurrection of the Daimaou, the security of this port town, which, along with the northern towns, had a large amount of magic stones, was too tight. Even if it was attacked by a swarm of dragons, it would have been able to sufficiently counter the attack. Butーー
"You think you can take this place down with just a hundred or two hundred people? Damn it! Damn it! You monsters!"
I swear, but I just keep running. I'm almost out of town.
"That's as far as you can go."
"Tch!?"
Something scraped the ground as I quickly jumped back. It spins around and returns to the owner of the projectile while drawing an arc.
"A woman?"
On top of a two-story building, a bright red dress shining brightly in the moonlight was catching the wind and shaking its skirt. A woman holding a fan with a blade on the tip looked down at me with a smile on her face.
"Your head is high in front of a noble. Jeez, this is why I don't like these insects outside the country."
Snap*! The woman closed her fan with a loud noise.
"It can't be helped, Yoshika-chan. Insects can't understand our words."
“Just like Shizuka says, conversations are useless.”
A street flanked by buildings on both sides. A woman with round glasses appearing from the street from which I came blocks my retreat, and a woman with short-cut hair with neatly arranged bangs stands in front of me.
I was surrounded. A sense of hopelessness welled up inside me. Not wanting to let my strength slip from my knees, I bared my teeth and screamed.
“Y-y-you fanatiiicss!!”
"Fanatics. That's a good word. Yes, we are crazy. We want to be crazy. We want to serve the one and only Absolute and give our bodies, our hearts, our everything."
On the roof, the woman in the red dress looks ecstatic, and the two women who flanked me weave their voices cheerfully.
""We are the people swallowed by the abyss.""
The voices, which were beautiful, had a chilling sound.
""We are the lineage of Chaos.""
The two women were no longer looking at me. Their vacant eyes were caught in something not here, somewhere not real. And then they spoke. The abominable name that has been the wonder of this continent ruled by a King for longer than the Demon Kingdom.
"'Our kingdom, [Norosteadam], Let there be prosperity and destruction.""
"Descend, [Deus Ex - Machina]"
The body of the woman in the red dress seemed to be enveloped in light, and a red monster appeared where the woman had been. No, I know it is not a monster. It has a steel physique that resembles a human being. It is rather large, about four meters long, but it is the same as a full-body armor-type magic tool. If there is a difference, it isーー
"How divine."
"T-that's amazing. Yoshika-chan."
The two women in suits look up at their companion with enraptured expressions.
Divine. I don't want to affirm even one of these fanatics' words. But even so, there was definitely something different about this magic tool.
The sheer power emitted by this red thing is just likeーー
“Like Floria-sama? No, no way, no way that's true......"
There are at least two more such things that have been confirmed. Who in the world could possibly compete with such a ridiculous force? When I thought about this, the image of a silver-haired, silver-eyed man suddenly popped into my mind.
The red thing grabbed a tube-like object attached to its waist. It extended and turned into a huge naginata.
"Someone, anyone! Bring the hero... Aquim Bonvoul!!"
A spinning vision. I should have been screaming at the sky, but before I knew it I was looking up at my headless body.
Congratulations on finishing the arc.
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