Episode 3: Nagatacho
* * *
When I stepped into the entrance of Haneda Airport, the familiar scent of soy sauce wafted up and tickled my nose.
...I almost cried a little.
"--This is Japan! Kotoha-senpai's homeland! Mef-senpai, hurry, hurry!"
"Koshiba. If you go off alone, you'll get lost."
We'd flown from Azure Academy via Australia and then touched down in Japan. According to Mef, "Japan has strict regulations on Anti-Reality organizations," so we couldn't enter the country directly from Azure Academy.
"Huh, so this is what rice crackers are like. Crunch crunch. Yeah, not bad."
"Hey, Luna-san's already buying snacks!"
"...Want a bite, Master-chan?"
The escort mission for the summit between Azure Academy and Japan had fallen to our very own Team Koito.
"I'm Japanese-American, but this is my first time in Japan. I definitely want to go to Akiba. Right, Eli-chan?"
"Hehe. Once everything's over."
The world was on the brink of the Apocalypse, yet Koito-senpai was smiling and flipping through a travel guide. ...Then again, the world teetering on the edge of destruction was just business as usual for her, so she never changed.
"Still, was it really necessary for you to come, Ter?"
"Fwahaha. Japan is the land of the legendary Night Parade of a Hundred Demons. As a researcher, I can't pass up an opportunity like this. Am I wrong?"
This time, it wasn't just Team Koito--we also had the terrifying Vice President Von Simon-senpai, and Mef's older brother, a famous figure from the lab: Termibek Janebekova-senpai.
"Huh? Rice crackers? Wow, I've seen these in anime! I wanna try, I wanna try!"
--Team Koito's newcomer. The once-in-a-generation songstress mALEEa had also joined this operation. She was hugely popular on the surface world, but since Japanese people didn't listen to much foreign music, she could walk around freely without any disguise, which seemed to make her happy.
"Eek... Sh-She's really here. The real mALEEa-sama... I need to prostrate myself..."
Koshiba, a huge mALEEa fan, was completely overwhelmed by that dazzling idol aura. Mef looked like she couldn't care less as she grabbed Koshiba by the scruff of her neck and hauled her along before she could prostrate herself.
"It would've been nice if Wu-chan could have come too."
"She'd definitely refuse. Besides, we need her protecting the academy while we're away."
Wu Xihan-senpai, the veteran of Team Koito, was guarding Azure Academy while the president and both Wings were gone. There were many Anti-Reality organizations targeting the academy, and while Wu-senpai lacked motivation, she had plenty of experience.
(Coming back to Japan like this...)
It had been three years since I'd been trafficked by the Mexican cartel. How many times had I longed for this day while trapped in that dim basement?
How many times had I told myself to give up because I'd never make it back?
"...Master-chan."
"Huh? What is it?"
"Welcome home."
Luna-san, usually so laid-back, gave a genuine smile, like it was her own happiness. When she did something like that, I was on the verge of actually crying--and I couldn't even complain about it.
"The designated exit is this way."
The ever-reliable Mef checked the map on her smartphone--apparently bought just for this trip--and guided the somewhat giddy group. Team Koito kept walking through the enormous Haneda Airport, a bit overwhelmed.
"--We've been waiting for you, esteemed guests from Azure Academy."
Beyond the designated VIP entrance stood twin girls. At first glance, they wore traditional miko-like attire, but they had frilly headbands, frilly sleeves, and slightly short hakama.
"Um, who exactly... are you two...?"
When President Elif asked, the twin miko-maids giggled.
"We are artificial spirits developed by the Japanese government. '64-a' and '64-b.' We've been waiting here to guide the members of Azure Academy."
They smiled with inhumanly beautiful expressions and led us along.
Outside, a black limousine was parked along the road.
"Now then--let us be off, everyone. The Master is waiting."
Everyone from Team Koito piled into the limousine.
"...Maids."
"Luna-san?"
"...Twin miko-maids."
"Luna-san."
Our maid was bristling at the rival establishment's maids, so I grabbed her by the hand and pulled her away.
* * *
Something most Japanese citizens don't know: there's a massive cavern 300 meters beneath Nagatacho. Inside it lies a research facility owned by an organization established by GHQ after the war--the "Bureau of the Unusual."
"W-Whoa...! A place like this existed!?"
When we entered a multi-level parking garage in Nagatacho via limousine, a massive elevator began to move. With a heavy rumble it descended into the underground cavern 300 meters below.
"Welcome. To the Bureau of the Unusual headquarters--the Anomaly Research Institute."
"...Anomalies?"
When I asked, Mef answered.
"In Japan, Apocalypses are traditionally called 'anomalies.' It's the same as how Americans call them 'Anomalies.'"
"The Master awaits in the conference room. Those attending the meeting, please follow '64-a.' Those on standby, please follow '64-b.'"
People in lab coats were rushing around the entrance hall, everyone looking frantically busy. Prompted by the artificial spirits, we decided to split up.
"Then for the meeting group, it'll be me, Kotoyorozu-kun, and Von--the three of us."
We nodded at President Elif's suggestion, while Ter-senpai's eyes lit up as he spoke up.
"I'll be touring the research facility. I have an appointment with Dr. Murata."
"Yes. Then Termid-sama, please wait here."
"...I'm too worried to leave my brother alone, so I'll go with him."
Under his sister's withering gaze, Ter-senpai looked devastated.
"Alright, Kotoha. Represent Team Koito and do your best!"
"Roger!"
Koito-senpai slapped my back, and I set off walking with the president and the others.
* * *
Beyond the imposing doors of the conference room sat a group of stern-faced people in suits, led by a white-haired elderly man. When they saw us, they tensed up even more.
"Come to think of it. That's the--alien."
"Azure Academy... Their representatives really are just children?"
The people there were probably all high-ranking members of various organizations. Those involved in national defense were piercingly on edge, wary to an alarming degree.
(Yikes... I didn't expect such an unwelcoming atmosphere.)
I didn't know the details, but it was probably because of Azure Academy's usual behavior.
"Thank you for the invitation. I am the representative of Azure Academy--Elif Anatolia."
"Likewise, we appreciate you making the trip. I am Amakusa Kiyomaro, Director of the Bureau of the Unusual."
President Elif bowed, and we followed suit. Once we'd taken our seats in the conference room, the talks began immediately. The white-haired man--Director Amakusa--addressed President Elif.
"I'll be direct. How do you at Azure Academy view the current situation?"
There was no condescension in his tone despite her being a young girl. President Elif, completely unfazed, wore her usual composed smile.
"Then I'll be direct as well. Worst case: universal collapse. Best case: Tokyo's destruction. Please think on that level."
"Wha--!?"
One of the men in the conference room shot to his feet.
"Tokyo's destruction...!? What do you mean by that?"
"There are three large portals near Japan. One above Tokyo. One 2,000 meters above Hokkaido. And one 50 kilometers southwest of the Amami Islands. But that's not all."
Three large portals. That alone was an immense threat. But--
"There are 200 small-scale portals within a 50-kilometer radius of Ueno."
"...Two hundred...?"
"Do you understand? Tokyo becoming a battlefield is already a certainty."
We had to eliminate the invaders emerging from the 200 small-scale portals around Tokyo and the three large-scale portals near Japan.
"According to our investigation, the portals will remain open for approximately 12 to 13 minutes. During that time, invaders will pour endlessly from the 'Necromancy Dimension.'"
A man with many medals on his suit thought for a moment before speaking.
"To evacuate Tokyo's residents quickly, we'll have no choice but to issue Protocol E."
"Wait, that discussion is premature. Elif-san. Is there no way to move these... portals? Or destroy them before they manifest?"
The one who answered wasn't the president but Von Simon-senpai.
"The portals wielded by the 'Necromancy Dimension' are not physical objects. They're more like phenomena. Think of them like gravity or color--they cannot be destroyed or avoided."
"So even though we know where they'll appear, there's no way to stop them... How frustrating."
"On the flip side, we can prepare and be fully ready to intercept them."
"True, that's a significant handicap for them. Are they so unbothered by us that they'd accept such a disadvantage?"
Simon-senpai replied calmly, expression unchanging.
"No. It's that they have no room to spare."
"...No room to spare?"
"They prepared as thoroughly as they could. But connecting portals to multiple dimensions is extremely difficult. Even using their entire civilization's capabilities, this was the best they could manage."
The "Necromancy Dimension" must have wanted to go into battle with far better preparation. They must have wanted several times more large portals. Obviously, they must have wanted to prevent their portal waves from being detected.
"They're desperate too, pushed to their limits. They're not predators who can unilaterally hunt humanity like aliens in a sci-fi movie. They're living beings whose homeland will collapse if they lose to us."
Looking at the situation alone, our dimension--the "Cherry Blossom Dimension"--had an overwhelming advantage. We could replenish our forces endlessly and fight under familiar laws of science.
"Regarding the 'Necromancy Dimension'--"
Just as Simon-senpai was about to continue, the door swung open.
"Sorry, sorry! I slept in a proper futon for the first time in forever and overslept~"
--Ominous geometric patterns of blue. Hair far blacker than darkness. Eyes like obsidian.
"The Black... Demon Lord...!"
Simon-senpai leapt to his feet. In that instant--
"Huh!?"
Dozens of bullets appeared encircling the Black Demon Lord. They surrounded her from all directions and pierced her entire body faster than the blink of an eye.
"OW OW OW OW--!!"
The Black Demon Lord, now riddled with holes, crumpled to the ground in pain. I instinctively tried to rush to her. But her carefree smile hadn't faltered even for a moment.
"...BLEHHHHH--"
Opening her mouth wide, she spat dozens of bullets from her throat.
"Haah... You really do terrible things, you know. I'm just an ordinary demon lord."
The girl who should have been riddled with bullet holes was smiling as if nothing had happened.
"--But you know, I like that about Azure Academy. Being so true to your roles like that. Oh, the Bureau people got their grounds shot up too, but forgive them, okay? As you can see, a few bullets just make me go 'ow, that kinda hurts' and that's about it."
Same as always--the girl who casually rattled off lengthy observations as if they were nothing.
"That just now... wasn't your gun, was it?"
The Black Demon Lord gazed at Von Simon-senpai, who was still holding his Gunscar. His weapon was a pair of red and blue pistols. But there was no sign they'd been fired.
"Then that was--you, little one?"
The Black Demon Lord turned her gaze to President Elif, who was seated calmly as if nothing had happened.
"Nice to meet you, Black Demon Lord. I am Elif Anatolia. I lead Azure Academy. Now, if you would explain, Bureau officials--why is she here?"
"Wow, so you're the student council president. I don't really get along with the strict type. Never really clicked with Amelia-chan either~"
The Black Demon Lord laughed like that, then swept her gaze sideways and--
"--Ah!"
"...Hey."
She finally noticed me and her eyes went wide.
"Kotoha... kyun?"
"What was that 'kyun'?"
She stared at my face intently. Gradually, her cheeks flushed red. Her eyes started darting around restlessly, and when her cheeks made a sizzling sound from the heat, she'd already turned her back to me and was waving her hands frantically.
"W-Wait...! What? Why are you here!? This is the worst! The absolute worst! I went and did that bullet-spitting party trick and everything!? I'm dying. Dying dying dying. Heyyyy! You should've told me beforehand, Mochii-san!"
"...I didn't know. Anyway, this is an important meeting, so just sit down already."
A beautiful woman in a suit, around thirty, muttered in exasperation and glanced at me for a moment.
"...Ah. So this is the 'darling.'"
After thinking that (what's with "darling"?), Mochii-san pulled out the chair beside her. The Black Demon Lord, her face still burning, fanned herself with her palms as she took her seat.
"Now then, may I have an explanation? We have repeatedly contacted you requesting that her whereabouts be reported to Azure Academy upon discovery."
President Elif addressed their leader--Director Amakusa. He smiled gently before responding.
"She has defended us from Anti-Reality disasters seven times. The 'Mud Ship' that appeared in Dokai Bay. The vengeful spirit 'Taira no Masakado' that possessed Tokyo Skytree. The 'Insect-Humans' who had taken over Yokohama Chinatown. Without her, our casualties would have been far greater."
"...We've informed you that Apocalypse matters can be resolved if you leave them to Azure Academy, haven't we?"
"In exchange for massive bounties and political concessions... is that it?"
Somehow, I was starting to understand the dynamics between these three factions. The Japanese government didn't trust Azure Academy. Azure Academy needed to manage the Apocalypse that was the Black Demon Lord. And the Black Demon Lord was, for some reason, cooperative with the Japanese government.
"Come to think of it, I've never asked anyone to give me something in return for beating an Apocalypse."
The Black Demon Lord thought for a moment.
"But I just do it because I want to. I don't need anything. Not a thing."
President Elif watched the Black Demon Lord's smile with an expression like she'd bitten into something sour. She seemed to have a lot she wanted to say, but must have decided this wasn't the place to cause friction.
(And why was the Black Demon Lord fighting the Apocalypses attacking Japan...?)
Her goal was supposed to be "destroying the universe." She'd said something like that when we first met. If that was the case, destroying other Apocalypses should only be a disadvantage for her.
"In that case..."
Director Amakusa glanced at Von Simon-senpai. He gave a small nod.
"--I will now share our investigation findings regarding the 'Necromancy Dimension.'"
At those words, the Japanese VIPs straightened in their seats. What they were about to fight--what "it" was. This information was probably the main reason they'd agreed to work with Azure Academy.
"Approximately 120 billion years have passed since that dimension's birth. There is one planet with intelligent life. The total population of the dimension is approximately 3,500."
The unfamiliar string of information left the adults momentarily dumbfounded. But immediately, the woman who'd been called Mochii raised her hand.
"...A population of roughly 3,500 in an entire universe? That seems incredibly small."
"For context: 99.9999...% of other dimensions contain no intelligent life. In the rare cases where they do, like our universe, a single planet typically becomes the center, and one species flourishes."
Having laid out the premise, Simon-senpai moved to the main point.
"The life form that prospered in the 'Necromancy Dimension' was a bipedal ape-type creature. They don't look much different from us. One difference: they have two hearts--one in the chest and one in the groin. Their civilization has already reached Maximization and cannot develop further."
"...Maximization?"
"Reaching the endpoint of a civilization. After Maximization, scientific capability no longer advances; advanced technology gradually declines, and generations pass while consuming past technologies and research."
The people of the "Necromancy Dimension" had reached "one endpoint that human technology can achieve." They were currently in the midst of decline.
"The most notable technology the 'Necromancy Dimension' possesses is--immortality technology."
"...Immortality...?"
"The 'Necromancy Dimension' established immortality technology approximately 1,000 years ago. Through Necromancy, they stabilize the Ectoplasmic Fluid. By transferring into cultivated artificial bodies, they achieved a state of immortality."
"So they produce bodies and just swap their souls? That's incredible technology."
After Mochii-san's comment, the stern-looking man beside her shook his head.
"The impressive part isn't that. --It's how they preserve the Ectoplasmic Fluid. How are they avoiding 'collapse of self-identity'? Ectoplasmic Fluid should have a lifespan of 200 to 300 years."
Simon-senpai looked slightly surprised at the man's question, then nodded.
"We were surprised by this as well. They appear to possess a special trait--a resistance to collapse of self-identity far exceeding most humanoid life forms."
The "Necromancy Dimension." I was starting to understand why they were called that.
(They can exist as souls alone--they're spiritual life forms.)
Mochii-san, who had been deep in thought, spoke up.
"If the entire population is immortal, then their numbers wouldn't decrease. ...Isn't it strange that only 3,500 people live on a single planet?"
"Immortality is a disease. A disease of society. Excessive overpopulation and obsession with death wishes. Most societies that achieve immortality collapse within a few thousand years. They were likely the same."
No one in the room of sensible people said it aloud.
"People with no future left... are coming to invade our world..."
"...Just 3,500 people. They want to kill our 7 billion to survive?"
A shapeless sense of futility hung in the air. It resembled anger, but there was nowhere to direct it.
"Their primary forces are believed to be Corpse Soldiers using Necromancy and Anti-Reality weapons. The warfare techniques cultivated on an immortal planet are entirely different from our systems. I will send detailed information in a document."
Von Simon-senpai finished speaking and took his seat.
The people in the conference room studied the attached materials he'd distributed as if their eyes would bore holes through them.
"May I also add something?"
A large, imposing man with deep wrinkles spoke up.
"--What are your thoughts on the chain of command for this operation?"
President Elif nodded.
"That's something we should discuss thoroughly. Let's work it out over the next few days. Azure Academy will entrust overall command of the operation to Von Simon here."
Simon-senpai gave a small bow. His dignified manner made me feel a little envious.
"Now then, next--"
The discussions continued, for the sake of the universe's survival.
* * *
When night fell, I--Luna--along with the other Azure Academy students, was resting at a pretty nice hotel. The Bureau of the Unusual had been considerate enough to reserve an entire floor for us.
(......Still, places like this just weren't my thing.)
I'd always been cheap by nature, and high-class stuff made me uneasy. I liked the yakisoba we ate at Koito's team apartment way more than any fancy hotel dinner.
"Oh? Where are you going?"
After dinner, Mef stopped me as I was stepping into the elevator.
"Just running out for cigarettes."
"Understood. ...Ah, please be careful."
"I know, I know. You're gonna tell me not to do stuff like this, right?"
I twirled thread from my fingers into a heart shape. Mef nodded--if you understand, then fine--and headed back to her room.
(I actually didn't wanna go alone, and I wanted to invite Master-chan too, but...)
That kid had been on high alert all day helping President Elif, and he was pretty worn out by the end. He'd fallen asleep in his room right after eating.
(Not like he's used to that kind of thing, but still--good on him.)
He was too serious a kid. He must have pushed himself hard, reading all those adults' minds and checking whether anyone was lying or harboring ill will. Scary. No way I'd wanna do that.
(I wanted cigarettes, but... I kinda wanted to get him a treat too.)
That was part of why I'd left the hotel. There were plenty of shops inside, but I wanted to take a walk through the evening streets while I had the chance.
"Huh... so this is the country Master-chan was born in."
I walked past Hibiya Park toward Yurakucho. Big modern buildings here, cramped bar-lined streets there. A messy city. A city with two faces. Didn't hate it.
(Once Master-chan grew up, I'd love to drink at a place like this with him.)
Him holding a sake cup while I poured for him. For a maid, that was kind of a dream. Actually, making snacks at home and having beers together would be nice too. There was so much I wanted to do.
(To make that happen, I had to protect the universe.)
District 12 allowed drinking from age 19, so at minimum two more years. But the invaders from another dimension would arrive in a few days. We had to win this one.
"Oh, found one."
I went into a convenience store and finally got my hands on cigarettes. Come to think of it, Japan had pretty strict regulations on smoking areas, right? In District 12 you could smoke while walking wherever you wanted, so this felt a bit cramped.
"...Ah."
In the magazine corner, I spotted a cover that said "Travel Guide! Kanagawa - Shonan." Master-chan's real hometown was supposed to be a town called Manazuru in Kanagawa. I didn't have Japanese geography in my head, so I wasn't sure exactly where that was, but I thought it was somewhere around Shonan...?
"Hmm..."
I flipped through it and was a little surprised. Manazuru was a seaside town. A port town, apparently. Master-chan had grown up in a place full of boats and hills. I hadn't known anything like that about him.
"......"
The sea, huh. My homeland was a massive space fleet, so it wasn't something I was familiar with. I'd once surveyed a planet covered in an ammonia ocean, but that was about it.
......Last time I went to the Philippine deep sea, I had a rough time, so I wasn't exactly fond of the ocean.
"Alright."
I grabbed the magazine and a few tasty-looking snacks, then headed to the register.
* * *
"Whoa, this is good."
I walked through the nighttime streets of Yurakucho, eating a convenience store nikuman.
I'd remembered Master-chan saying once that he missed Japanese nikuman.
(I see... this really did taste different from District 12 nikuman.)
First thing that surprised me was the dough -- a little sweet. And thick. The bamboo shoots in the filling were a nice touch too; I liked the texture. Japanese nikuman felt more like a sweet bun, overall.
(Hmm, could I make this at home...?)
The dough would take some extra work, but I'd memorized the taste. The rest was just trial and error. Since I hated being seen putting in effort, I'd prepare it secretly late at night.
"......Hm?"
The footsteps were echoing double. I felt a strange presence behind me. Not an unpleasant feeling, exactly. ...But someone was directing some kind of emotion at me. I extended a thin thread from my finger.
(Who was it? Someone from the Bureau of the Unusual tailing me? It did feel like a professional, but...)
My detection capabilities were excellent. I could vaguely sense the unnatural faintness of a masked R-value. This wasn't because I was a machine doll -- it was a talent I'd had for a long time.
"............"
I ducked into an alley. The one following me was a man in a hood. He entered the alley, looked around nervously, and seemed disappointed to have lost sight of me.
"--Who are you?"
I was standing on a single thread I'd strung taut above the alley.
"......"
The man looked up. Before he could react, the trap of threads I'd set snapped tight around his body.
"I'd rather chase than be chased, y'know. Stalkers are gross. So who are you?"
"You... are..."
The man was wearing a skull mask. Colorfully painted. If I remembered right, it was the kind used in Mexico's Day of the Dead. Way too suspicious. Was he some kind of psycho killer?
(A mask with Information Jamming properties. And -- the presence of Parallel Law.)
Normal people couldn't perceive anything strange about his face. He'd look like any ordinary person, and the moment he entered your vision you'd forget his face. That was the Anti-Reality property of this mask.
"...It really is... Luna-san..."
"Huh? How do you know my name--"
The skull mask spoke in a trembling voice. From the timbre and build, this was probably a man in his thirties or older. He stared at me for a long moment, then--
"...You really are..."
He closed his eyes, sadly.
"...No, it's nothing. Please forget about it."
"Uh, hey. Can you not just make discoveries on your own and come to conclusions on your own?"
This man had called me Luna. But that was weird -- I hadn't been in this dimension very long. There were only a handful of people who knew my face and name.
"So. Listen to my question properly. Who are you?"
"I am your enemy."
"Too honest. Guess I'll just kill--"
"But I... am your ally."
"......Huh?"
Okay, seriously, what was with this guy? I had absolutely no idea who he was. And yet his voice was trembling. Like he was about to cry. As if meeting me was some incredible miracle.
"I owe you a debt. That's why I came to help."
Through the skull mask, I glimpsed eyes that were terribly rational. A desperately earnest gaze, almost pitiable -- he really was saying this for my sake.
"Seriously, who are you? Someone from Azure Academy?"
"Azure... Academy...? You think I'm... one of them...?"
The man's eyes turned bloodshot in an instant. The exact opposite of the tenderness from moments ago -- hatred.
"...I will never forgive them. I've sworn to kill every last one of them."
Tremendous fury. Enough to warp the air with sheer force of will. This guy probably isn't sane, I thought. People whose emotions switched like this had screws loose somewhere.
"...Sorry. I lost my composure."
The man shook his head slightly and looked at me with gentle eyes again.
"More importantly... this dimension will soon be destroyed. By the warriors of the Necromancy Dimension."
"I know. That's why I'm here -- to stop it."
"That's why... I want you to escape."
"...Huh?"
"Jump into the Great Mouth of the Cape of Good Hope and show them this ticket. It will connect you to the outer dimension 'Flat Earth.' The two-dimensional beings are exclusionary, but once you befriend them, they're good folks."
* * *
[No. 19: "Great Mouth of the Cape of Good Hope"] -- Stage 4: Excitatio
Property: Parallel Law
Details: A bottomless hole located at the Cape of Good Hope in Cape Town, South Africa. Any target that enters the hole disappears. All details unknown. --Or so Chaos Institute, which owns this Apocalypse, has reported, prohibiting research by other academies. Azure Academy has it listed as a subject of investigation.
* * *
At some point, the man had freed his right arm from the restraints and was holding out a ticket. I was getting more and more confused.
"Luna-san. The Necromancy Dimension is powerful. The people of this dimension can't win. Everything will likely be swallowed by the Star Whale. I know this well -- I'm lending them my strength."
"...What? Lending them your strength?"
"Just passing along information. But -- I have an obligation to save you."
So many questions. They all condensed into a single one.
"Are you... from the Necromancy Dimension?"
Someone from the Necromancy Dimension who owed me a debt. I had absolutely no memory of anything like that.
"So you're an enemy, then. Guess I'll just beat the crap out of you."
"...I see. Of course you would."
"The hell's with that all-knowing tone? It's creepy--"
"--Bard and Poetry."
A gunshot rang out. It struck my eardrums hard, but strangely, it didn't feel unpleasant. Clean, like the chime of a bell.
"Wha--who's--?!"
A translucent girl had appeared beside me before I even noticed. She had no legs. Like a ghost. A beautiful girl with silver hair. I recognized her.
(That's -- Lea-chan?)
Lea Coeur de Lumiere. A Chaos Institute student and Master-chan's best friend. But she looked a good deal more mature than the Lea I knew.
"Guh...!"
The translucent girl gripped a chainsaw and sliced through the threads binding the masked man in an instant. At the same time, he kicked me hard and sent me flying.
"Then... I've fulfilled my obligation. What you decide next is up to you."
"Like I'm gonna just let you go!"
I gathered the threads I'd spread throughout the area and formed a silver rapier in midair. It pierced directly through the man's brow. But not a single drop of blood fell.
"Wha..."
"...Please, just run. You cannot defeat the Necromancy Dimension."
Translucent Lea-chan's chainsaw opened a single hole in the alley wall.
"Wait!"
Ignoring my voice, the two vanished into the wall. That really was Lea-chan's Slash -- "Maiden of Gevaudan." She'd cut through the wall and escaped through subspace.
"What the hell was that, seriously."
I picked up the nikuman I'd dropped on the ground and hurried back to the hotel.
* * *
"Huh? A guy in a skull mask? I haven't the faintest idea what you're talking about?"
--Morning came. I was contacting Lea while having breakfast at the hotel restaurant.
"...Actually, sorry! Things are crazy over here too! I'll call you back soon! Hey -- hey hey, you there! Don't just run off! Magia-senpai! Magia-senpaaai--!!"
Apparently some large-scale incident was happening at Chaos Institute too, and they'd been working all night. The call cut off abruptly.
"...Lea doesn't seem to know anything about it."
The Azure Academy members gathered at the round table tilted their heads.
"A man in a skull mask...? You think he's a scout from the Necromancy Dimension?"
Koshiba asked, and everyone's gazes turned to Luna-san.
"Yeah, probably. But I don't think that's where he's originally from."
"Originally?"
Luna-san was focused intently on spreading butter on her bread, barely interested in the topic.
"I read through the Necromancy Dimension documents -- god, so boring -- anyway, the immortality is different."
She continued while opening a second packet of butter.
"The people of the Necromancy Dimension achieve immortality by transferring their souls into different bodies... their souls are immortal. Right? But that skull mask guy--"
She narrowed her eyes slightly.
"--His body was immortal. And probably... not through any systematic technique, but something more chaotic... a miracle born from despair."
I couldn't understand exactly what she meant. But someone seemed to have some idea -- Ter-senpai murmured quietly.
"The skull mask might be a defector from Azure Academy."
"Huh? A defector... someone who illegally left?"
"The Necromancy Dimension must have been planning this invasion for over a hundred years. It wouldn't be strange for them to have turned some locals to their side. The gun he used resembled a Gunscar too."
"Just speculation, though," Ter-senpai added. True, there was no point thinking about it further.
""We will have the Bureau of the Unusual's agents investigate immediately.""
The twin artificial spirits in miko maid outfits spoke in unison.
"...A skull mask."
"What's up, Mef?"
"Nothing. ...It just bothered me a little."
Mef had flinched when she heard "skull mask" and "Bard and Poetry." Did she have some idea about it...?
"Haah. Sounds like the grown-ups are having a difficult conversation, doesn't it. Hey, Nyao. This is boring."
"Captain. You're technically one of the oldest ones here."
As always, Koito-senpai was acting like the center of the universe and showed zero interest in the information about this new powerful enemy. At this level, her carefree attitude was almost admirable.
"Now then, today's assignments. I have meetings piled up. Kotoyorozu-kun, come with me. Reinforcements from Azure Academy are arriving in waves, so mALEEa-kun and Koshiba-kun, handle their reception. Von, prepare the command center. Luna-san, work with the Bureau of the Unusual to investigate the 'skull mask man.'"
We nodded at President Elif's instructions.
"Eli-chan, me, me! If I get the day off, there's somewhere I want to go--"
"Hm? Koito-kun. You're the Number 2. There's no way you're getting a day off, is there?"
"Huh?"
"Go to the JSDF base with Mef-chan and do drills. I've sent over a simulator. Show them what Azure Academy can do. If you slack off, I'll be angry."
President Elif was smiling, but only her eyes were dead serious.
"...Hiiiin... I'll do my best..."
Overwhelmed by the pressure, Koito-senpai trembled.
* * *
--Over the following days, we met with countless people. Not all of them trusted us -- in fact, most were wary of us, just kids. Some lied, some tried to deceive us. But in the end, negotiations proceeded fairly, on equal footing.
(The Black Demon Lord's accomplishments probably had a lot to do with it.)
She seemed to be deeply involved in Japan's national defense. Even people who didn't know about "Anti-Reality" were apparently aware of what the Black Demon Lord had done.
(I wanted to talk to her too, but--)
With meetings every day, I had almost no free time.
"...Phew."
By the time we finished all of today's meetings, it was deep into the night. President Elif and I returned to the hotel and walked through the lobby together. I'd gotten used to this hotel's extravagance by now.
"You must be exhausted, President. Today's schedule was packed too."
"...Well, a little. But having you here really helped. Having a mind reader in negotiations is a bit too advantageous."
The president laughed and stepped into the elevator. I followed after her--
"Ugh..."
"President!"
The small girl's face went red, and she dropped to her knees. I caught her and touched her forehead.
"You're burning up... President, do you have a fever...?"
"...What a pain. As you can see, I have a weak constitution. The fatigue has finally caught up with me. ...Even though Koito-kun has been running all over Japan."
"You can't compare yourself to her! What do you want to do? Should we take tomorrow off, to be safe--"
"Don't be absurd. ...Anyone who would rest in a situation like this... would be unfit to be president, wouldn't they."
Right. That was true -- we were at the brink of universal annihilation. She led Azure Academy; there was no way she could rest without extraordinary circumstances.
"...Tonight too... there are documents I need to read..."
"Hey... at least rest tonight!"
The elevator opened, and I put my arm around her shoulders and walked. President Elif was limp, her small body leaning against me. I opened the door to her room and brought her to the bed.
"Please rest in bed. I'll..."
"...Where are you going...?"
"I'm going to get dinner. Something easy to eat would be good, right? Is there anything you want?"
"......Pudding."
Good. She was willing to be pampered without too much fuss. I hurried out of the room, left the hotel, went to a nearby convenience store, and loaded up on soup, pudding, jelly, and cold medicine.
When I returned, the president was lying in bed, half-asleep. I rehydrated some freeze-dried rice porridge with hot water and added packaged chopped green onions and tube ginger.
"Here you go, President. Can you sit up?"
"...Mmm. ...What's that...?"
I scooped up some porridge with a plastic spoon and brought it to her lips.
"Here, say ahh."
"...Okay. ...Nom... nom..."
"Is it good?"
"...The flavor's weak... This isn't milk... It's plain porridge..."
"Don't complain. Once you're better, you can eat whatever you want."
I should have noticed sooner. She'd been this exhausted all along.
"...Nom nom. ......Gulp. Ahh."
She opened her mouth again, as natural as anything. I almost laughed, then carefully brought small spoonfuls of porridge to her tongue.
"Somehow... this feels nostalgic..."
"...Hm?"
"I had a big brother... Not related by blood, but... He used to do this for me a long time ago... He was a brusque person, but... whenever I had a cold... he was kind..."
An unexpected side of the usually put-together President Elif. But her opening up made me genuinely happy. Being trusted by someone who worked this hard meant something.
"You had a brother. ...What was his name?"
President Elif smiled a little sadly.
"I've... already forgotten. All I remember is the feeling from back then."
"Huh? Why?"
"Well, various circumstances."
She didn't seem willing to talk about it. I could probably find out if I peeked into her mind, but I desperately stopped myself -- that wasn't okay. To distract myself, I kept the conversation going.
"I had someone like a little sister too, back when I was at the temple. Her name was Micchan. ...She got sick a lot, so I'd feed her porridge like this."
"Micchan...?"
"Something wrong?"
"...No, nothing."
President Elif smiled with a dazed expression.
"Hey... I'm hungry, big brother. ...One more bite."
"Please don't start playing weird games."
"So cold."
When President Elif -- small and doll-like with her delicate limbs -- did the little sister act, part of my brain almost took it seriously. Not great for my mental health.
"I put the pudding and jelly in the fridge, so eat them whenever you get hungry."
"......You won't feed me?"
"...I thought you might want to eat them whenever you felt like it. Do you want some now?"
"......I don't, but still."
I touched her forehead. It was hotter than before. Her speech was getting slurred too, so it might be best to have her sleep soon.
"I bought some kuzuyu at the convenience store. Let me make you some."
"What's that...?"
"It's a traditional remedy popular in Japan. Good for the early stages of a cold."
"Traditional remedy, you say...? I don't believe in that unscientific stuff..."
*Personal opinion.
"More importantly... my bag... in the pouch, there's an energy supplement... Take it out, would you...? The emergency kind... the strong stuff... it really works..."
Following her instructions, I opened her travel bag. For a split second, I thought I glimpsed some vivid lacy frills, but I firmly told myself it was just my imagination.
"...Pervert."
"Excuse me?!"
President Elif had an eye for reading people -- my hasty deflection didn't work on her. ...I just hadn't expected black lacy string whatever-they-were, and I'd gotten way too flustered. My fault too.
"...Found it. This, right...?"
I found a pouch with a medicine sticker on it and pulled it out. I opened the zipper.
"--Huh?"
Inside were eleven syringes and eleven ampoules.
(What... is this...? Huh? Syringes?)
I read the label on an ampoule.
("Short-term Localized Memory Processing Agent"...?)
Memory Processing Agent -- it had been used on me once. A drug that erased specific memories. An Anti-Reality technology from Azure Academy; apparently it could target memories quite precisely.
(Three... have already been used...?)
There were eleven syringes, with three empty slots in the holder. Meaning this set originally had fourteen doses. It had been three days since we arrived in Japan.
(Did President Elif use this Memory Processing Agent somewhere...? But I'd been with her the entire time these past three days. She wouldn't have had time to--)
Wait, hold on. Prying wasn't good. What President Elif used this Memory Processing Agent for had nothing to do with me. She was a respectable person. There was no way she'd use these syringes for anything wrong.
"Ah. ...Is this it?"
A pink pouch with two types of medicine. I picked up the two blister packs and asked her.
"Which one is it, President?"
"The right one..."
"Got it. What's the left one for?"
When I asked, the president hesitated for a moment, then--
"......It's the pill. My period is heavy."
She answered honestly. I mean, it was fine -- she didn't have to be honest. Now I was thinking, oh, it's birth control. Made me kind of squirm. Really. Sorry for being an idiot.
"Here you go."
I handed the president her medicine, quickly tidied up the scattered packages, and moved to leave the room.
"Well then, President. Get some good rest. Wrap yourself up tight in the blanket. No reading documents. I bought plenty of sports drinks, so drink up. And brush your teeth if you can."
"Heh. ...You're like a mom."
"...I'm being serious here. Well then--"
As I was about to leave the room, I felt a tug.
"Hm?"
--President Elif was gripping my sleeve.
"President? What is it?"
"......"
"Is there still something you need?"
"...You..."
Face red, eyes welling up half-tearfully, she murmured.
"...You can see into people's hearts. Don't be mean."
"Huh?"
I was so startled I let my guard down. In that instant, her thoughts flowed into my head.
I'm lonely. When I have a cold. It makes me so sad. Being alone is... no.
My brother, long ago. At times like this, he'd hold my hand--
Damn. President Elif was this worn down.
"...Sorry. I'm not very perceptive."
When you had a cold, you felt insecure. Strangely lonely. Even someone as strong as President Elif was no different. Somehow, that actually reassured me.
"Hmph."
"Would it be okay if I stayed a little longer?"
"...Just a tiny bit."
Feeling embarrassed and happy and awkward all at once, I smiled clumsily, pulled up a nearby chair, sat down beside her -- and held her hand.
"Ah..."
Her fingers were so much thinner than I'd expected. Her feverish palm. Smooth but slightly damp with sweat. I forced myself to look calm as I held her left hand in both of mine.
"Can you sleep like this?"
"...Yeah. I have good subordinates."
She smiled happily with half-closed eyes. I was pretty much at my limit from embarrassment, but if she was going to look that happy, I figured it was fine.
"...You can watch TV... or whatever..."
President Elif slowly closed her eyes, slowly exhaled. Her thin chest rose and fell, her breathing gradually settling into the rhythm of sleep.
"...Good... night..."
Once I confirmed she'd fallen asleep, I quietly left the room.
The moment I turned the doorknob, I heard a small voice from behind.
"...Big brother... I'm sorry... sorry..."
A sad voice. I pretended I hadn't heard it and left the room.