CH 332

After making sure that <Freeze> had been applied on Kirihara.

Sogou had lost consciousness.

Rather———– It seems like she fell asleep.

Still on Hijiri’s chest, that is.

[By the looks of it, she probably hasn’t slept properly for days now. Her Limit Break may be taking a toll on her body. I suppose…… we should let her sleep for a while.]

Limit Break, read like a bowstring being pulled to the extreme.

She must have pulled it so much that some sort of string snapped somewhere, or so Hijiri said.

At that moment, I noticed the depressed look on Seras’s face.

How should I say this……

She looked like a student who was worried that the teacher might be angry with her.

Taking the initiative to call out to her……

[You don’t have to apologize for what you said earlier.]

She must have tried to apologize for persuading Sogou in her own way.

Hearing my words, Seras wryly smiled……

[You have already seen me through huh.]

[Even though there was Takao Hijiri with us, even I feel that that was the final push to persuade Sogou. In other words, the success of the persuasion was due in large part to Seras.]

Though I do feel like her saying she’d take her life is going a bit too far.

However, I didn’t speak that out.

I could tell by Sogou’s reactions.

Yes.

More than anyone else, Sogou Ayaka herself wouldn’t accept it.

She wouldn’t accept that someone like Seras would take her own life because of a promise Seras had made with her.

However————- considering the “strength” of those words, it was really effective.

[You’ve also been a great help with the fight with Kirihara and his after-treatment. You really did great today.]

[No, I think this victory was only possible because of your multiple preparations…… I don’t think I could have beaten Takuto Kirihara by myself. Besides———]

Seras paused for a moment, quickly turning away her face.

Her white hands clasped with each other in front of her stomach……

[The strength of having you by my side, fighting against something…… I was able to feel it once again. Because you were there, I was able to focus on the battle at hand without distractions.]

[I also felt more reassured than usual. We won this time because Seras, Munin, Pigimaru and Slei are with me here. It was as I always told you. If there’s no one who could execute it————-]

[“Those plans would just be mere theory”.]

Seras said, her head turned towards me, a blush visible on her face.

[————That’s what you told us…… right?]

I snorted.

[I guess that goes without saying huh.]

[Touka-san, today went brilliantly!]

With a bounce, Munin placed her hands on Seras’ shoulders from behind.

Behind her, Slei, who has returned to her first form, followed.

[Pakyuun.]

Seeing her coming towards us……

[Eeehh~~? What is that cutie…… Pakyuun~~……]

Itsuki, watching Slei from afar, was cooing.

[You did a great job too, Munin.]

[Fufu. Even so, I’m glad.]

Saying this, Munin looked down at her own palms.

[I’m glad it worked.]

For what it’s worth, the battle earlier was something like a trial shot.

We want to avoid the possibility that the Nullification Curse wouldn’t work when we tried to activate it.

This battle turned into the worst possible scenario.

However, when you look at the results, we were able to confirm whether or not the Forbidden Curse was effective before the decisive battle.

[Though I say that, the battle to make use of the Forbidden Curse would be just like this time. In order for my Abnormal State Skill to be effective, we have to create an opening after keeping Vysis within the range of the Forbidden Curse. The challenge would really be if we could do that or not.]

Thereupon, Munin looks at the Takao Sisters and Sogou who were at a distance.

The sisters were currently checking on Kirihara and Sogou.

[They look very strong…… but I wonder, with that Hijiri-san and Sogou-san, wouldn’t we be able to just normally win?]

[It certainly would be better if that’s possible.]

Of course.

It’s not that we couldn’t try out Munin’s current idea.

I can’t deny that that certainly was possible.

However, the S-Rank Takao Hijiri had already been defeated by Vysis once.

It seems that Vysis had some method of augmenting her power.

When Hijiri fought her, Vysis should have been weakened by the powerful Tyrant Miasma of the Great Demon Emperor.

However, even under those conditions, Hijiri said they were about evenly matched.

Can Sogou, who seemed to be a pure power-type more powerful than Hijiri, be able to defeat her?

If that’s possible, that would be better……

……Other than that, there’s also Ikusaba Asagi’s Unique Skill.

If we could arrange it so that she could use that————- Assuming within a scenario where it would work, Vysis’ abilities would be dragged down on her level.

However, the problem really was that “extremely close range” requirement of her Skill.

Speaking of which, it’s not necessarily true that the <Dispel Bubble> won’t nullify it either. (T/N: Goddess’ Spell Breaker / Dispel Bubble)

There’s also the question of how much Asagi can be trusted from the perspective of a friend or a foe being unknown.

Above all……

[As far as I’m concerned, since Vysis shirks away from the Forbidden Curse that much…… I really think the combination of the Forbidden Curse and my Abnormal State Skills is highly reliable.]

Yes.

If my Abnormal State Skill just effectively hits……

No matter who they were, they had been brought down.

After Kirihara Takuto lost the <Dispel Bubble>, he was brought down by my Abnormal State Skill.

[Fufufu. Besides, it would feel better if Touka-san defeated Vysis with Abnormal State Skill, right~~]

[Even I think it’s not a good idea to be sticking to that that much.]

Rather……

[Weren’t you just wondering if we could just normally win with Hijiri and Sogou?]

[Eh? Y- Yes…… Of course, that would be great……]

Those grayish blue eyes clad in sorrow lowered———– She looked like she was thinking about something.

[Even I———— feel like I can return to everyone with pride if Vysis is defeated with the contribution of my Forbidden Curse……]

Thereupon, seemingly having come back to herself, Munin raised her gaze.

[————Well, I know we can’t proceed towards such an important battle thinking only of my own convenience.]

[Isn’t it fine? Even I’ve made it this far just thinking of my own convenience———- That goes for just about everything I did.]

Yes.

No matter who they are, it’s okay to proceed forward for one’s own convenience.

Sometimes, it just so happens that convenience and circumstances were heading in the same direction.

▽

Hijiri approached alone and stood next to me.

[You mind if we talk for a moment…… just the two of us.]

Seeing no reason to refuse, we walked a few distance away from Seras, Munin, Itsuki and Slei.

As I watched Itsuki placing a cloth over Kirihara……

[It seems like we have a lot to talk about. There’s a limit to what can be talked about through the familiar after all———— You mind if I just call you “Hijiri”?]

[I think it’s too late to go back to calling me “Hijiri-san”. Besides, that certainly doesn’t fit you with the way you are now.]

[Alright. So, Hijiri…… What do you wanna talk about?]

[First of all, was the Mimori Touka back in the former world just an act?]

[Stuff about way back huh.]

[When we meet like this, I really feel like you and the one back then were two different people. Even though your facial structures have remained the same, it seems that your personality has been completely replaced. In other words, being able to present yourself like that means you have quite the acting ability.]

[The idea that the “Mimori Touka” back in the former world was an act…… Well, you aren’t wrong. That sh*tty Goddess and the Disposal Ruins certainly reminded me of who I really am.]

[You mean that was how Mimori Touka originally was?]

[Roughly speaking, that understanding is right.]

I may have forgotten this self of mine, but I originally was “this” kind of person.

[The environment back in my home is a bit complicated. Because of that, I strived to make my presence weaker back in the former world. I had to play the role of a harmless guy and blend in…… Would explaining it that way make it easier to understand?]

Hijiri nodded, looking as nonchalant as ever.

[As long as they are intrinsic in society, everyone more or less wears a persona of their own. Most people wear their persona———— In other words, their masks, and use a temporary self and a true self. However, in your case, your mask doesn’t look inferior to your “human face”. A truly talented actor…… Would saying it that way make it easier to understand?]

I nodded in response.

Come to think of it, Takao Hijiri was the kind of fellow who would use difficult expressions like this.

I guess the only reason she suppressed herself from speaking like that before was because of the familiar’s limitations huh.

[Personally, I don’t dislike the current you though.]

[Hmph, I never thought the day would come when the great Takao Hijiri would say such a thing to me.]

[I think the current “you” is better suited to survive in this world. Also——— Our 2-C classmates, including you, are assessing me too highly.]

[I could say the same goes for Sogou though. Everyone in 2-C, including you.]

Hijiri gazed at Sogou……

[I may have forgotten somewhere along the way…… that Sogou-san is still only a teenage girl.]

[Excellent grades both in lectures and physical activities, good looks…… The grandchild of that Sogou Group, the Class President…… There’s also her martial arts. Kobujutsu, was it? A considerate character and straightforward…… with a strong sense of justice———- Pure. She’s a splendid person who got everything.]

[Among the things you said, there’s one double-edged sword.]

[……Her purity huh.]

[Yes. In our world, as is probably the case for many others, one’s purity is always being used by the wicked. The fewer impurities one has in their heart, the easier they are to use. And when they’re exposed to impurities, their purity runs the risk of being completely dyed in their colors.]

[It is because they hold fewer impurities———– that they’re easier to be dyed in other colors huh.]

In short, they’re easier to brainwash.

[Sometimes…… There are people who have managed to grow up while maintaining their purity. In the country we were in, I wonder if it’s more common among the upper class these days…… Perhaps, their parents and the environment surrounding them made it so that they could maintain their purity. In short———– If one doesn’t have people around them that know evil, one wouldn’t be able to keep their purity.]

For example……

Like the Princess protecting Seras.

[I think it’s also possible for one to be malignant exactly because they’re pure though.]

[That would depend on the education they received. Purity itself is a precious thing.]

[However, that purity you consider precious…… It’s usually lost at some point within society.]

[In order to live such a pure life, someone needs to be the “catcher in the rye”. This is my interpretation and my own theory.]

[Catcher in the rye?]

I think there was a novel with a similar title like that.

Comprehending Hijiri’s words in my own way……

(T/N: Britannica Website: Catcher in the Rye. Plot summary looks amusing, looks like a good read. Costs around $4-5 over here.)

[In other words…… A guardian who understands evil protecting pure fellows like Sogou?]

[That’s what I meant.]

“No tolerance for genuine evil”.

Can the same be said of Seras Ashrain though?

While I had such thoughts in mind……

I thought I saw a slightly, really slightly complicated expression on Hijiri’s face.

[Because of her purity———— To be honest, there were times when I also had trouble judging her.]

For example, just before she went to assassinate Vysis.

She said she was unsure back then.

Whether or not to reveal the whole plan to Sogou Ayaka, that is.

Her connection with Mira, including the plan to return to the former world……

The plan she had laid out for the assassination of Vysis……

[At one point, I thought about entrusting the entire plan to Sogou-san, just in case the assassination attempt against Vysis failed.]

There were apparently two kinds of notes that she planned to give her.

[But you don’t think that Sogou would be able to hide the contents of the memo that wrote down the whole story from Vysis?]

[She was too pure after all.]

Saying this, she continued.

[Moreover…… If my plan was exposed to Vysis, it might put a certain person in danger. That person could possibly be the key to fighting Vysis. Thus, I gave priority to their safety. In other words, I used Sogou-san as a false front. To distract Vysis, that is.]

I observed the expression on Hijiri’s face.

After a few beats……

[I think it’s possible that it was simply a choice made out of concern for Sogou’s safety though.]

[………………….]

If Sogou knew of Hijiri’s plan of rebellion, the Goddess might consider her as an accomplice.

If that were the case, Vysis may “not pardon” Sogou.

However———– if she knew nothing about it……

Wouldn’t it be enough for Vysis to have her continue “being used” by her?

She could avoid bearing the heavy crime of joint liability.

Isn’t that what Hijiri thought?

[You———— don’t dislike Sogou, right?]

I asked in a rather indirect way.

At my question, Hijiri was silent for a while.

Then, looking at Sogou, who was sleeping at a distance from us……

[Looking back, I don’t think it felt like me. Yes…… It was an unusual moment, where an ego of mine that isn’t like me appeared.]

No clear answer was returned in response to my question.

In any case……

[So, Takao Hijiri, who failed to assassinate Vysis…… After regrouping and contacting Sogou Ayaka, informing her of the entire plan when the opportunity arises, you will once again become allies with her again. Although you had made the plans after that————]

[I collapsed and became unconscious from the poison that Vysis had inflicted in my body.]

[And Itsuki, who you asked to deliver a message to Sogou, prioritized her older sister’s life before that message, and the result————]

I shifted my gaze from Itsuki to Sogou……

[Sogou had been brainwashed by Vysis, and it became too late for her.]

She had already been broken.

Hijiri leisurely shook her head.

[The failure to assassinate Vysis…… The next best thing to do in case of failure was too late because I collapsed from poison, and as a result, Sogou-san ended up being exposed to Vysis in the worst way possible. See? I told you, didn’t I? Everyone thinks too much of me. If you only look at the results, there have been continuous failures on my end.]

[In short…… To paraphrase Takao Hijiri’s words earlier, Takao Hijiri is still only a teenage girl.]

[You’re also a teenager though.]

[……You said things turned out the worst———– but that doesn’t seem like the worst, don’t you think?]

As I said this, Hijiri dropped her gaze down to her toes.

Looking at her like this, her eyelashes were as long as Seras’.

[I wonder if that’s true.]

[You sisters made it here without dying. Sogou over there is safe and sound for the time being. The way I see it, it seems like your failures have been covered enough. Well, that’s just my hindsight-based opinion though.]

[That is———– Mimori-kun, are you trying to encourage me?]

[In a manner of speaking, I guess.]

Absentmindedly looking towards Seras and the others……

[With their expectations higher than what you actually are, you end up trying to keep up with those expectations…… That’s pretty rough.]

[Sounds like you’re saying that from experience.]

[Neither the Fly King nor Mimori Touka are as almighty as people think. Not everything goes to my plans, nor am I completely flawless. However, I have to keep showing that I’m such a person. And———— I will not spare any effort to accomplish that. Of course, we have to keep producing results. With all my might, beyond my stature.]

Saying this, I snorted.

[Since I got the others involved in my selfish journey for revenge, it’s my duty to keep my gaze on my goal. In my case, lack of experience in life…… being a teenager can’t be an excuse.]

[You’re going to have to carry it all by yourself.]

[If I’m not prepared to take it all on myself, then I shouldn’t have even thought about revenge right from the start.]

At my words, an ironic smile appeared on Hijiri’s lips.

[Vysis may have disposed of quite the outrageous Hero huh……]

[If I had remained in the castle like that, she might have used me quite well.]

[Just like she did with Sogou-san and Kirihara-kun?]

[Yeah. Rather…… Speaking of Kirihara, Hijiri’s analysis of him had helped us out this time.]

[……May I ask a question? That <Freeze> Skill……]

Hijiri looked as if she wanted to say something.

However…

[———–No, nevermind. I’ll stop here.]

I think I knew what the question she wanted to ask.

Would that guy really be released “alive” after 300 days?

I think Hijiri was about to ask that.

Actually———— I’m not sure about it myself.

This is because I had no samples who had passed 300 days frozen.

Therefore, it isn’t possible for me to determine what the results actually were.

However, when I explained the situation to Sogou, I “wholeheartedly” believed that was the case.

It’s just, however……

What if the sample, which I had frozen before, “wasn’t alive” when it got its frozen status lifted?

That would mean I had lied to Sogou.

And Hijiri, who said she believed me, might lose the trust Sogou had in her.

[I’ll take all the blame regardless of the outcome. That is, when all of this ends.]

[……The surging Avenger has too much to bear. You held no way out.]

[That’s what revenge is all about after all. That aside…… Reconciling with past matters is fine and all, but don’t you think it’s about time we start talking about what we do hereafter?]

As if to switch her thoughts away from the subject, Hijiri brushed aside her wet hair.

[First of all, that sh*tty Goddess…… It didn’t seem like she came here with Kirihara.]

[It’s possible that…… she didn’t come because she was afraid of the existence of the Forbidden Curse here.]

[Or perhaps————- She wanted to use Kirihara to check whether we have the Forbidden Curse that could nullify the Dispel Bubble she casted on him.]

[I see.]

[Or…… It could be that while we were clashing with Kirihara and Sogou, she was doing something that was more important than killing me. And speaking of things that Vysis might have attachment with————]

[……The Heart of the Great Demon Emperor?]

[Yeah.]

[There was nothing in Kirihara-kun’s belongings that looked like the Heart of the Great Demon Emperor. However, he didn’t have that necklace used for the heart either.]

When they kill the Great Demon Emperor, they apparently have a necklace that could absorb the Great Demon Emperor’s Tyrant Miasma————- or according to description in the Sealed Room, something which was officially called Prime Origin.

And Kirihara was not in possession of that necklace.

[If that is the case, it’s highly possible that the Great Demon Emperor’s Tyrant Miasma———- the Prime Origin is in the hands of Vysis.]

Hijiri then told me about a dark-colored ball Vysis swallowed during her assassination attempt.

[The energy contained in the Great Demon Emperor’s Heart…… Isn’t it possible that that thing you called Prime Origin has something to do with that black orb?]

[For example, Vysis could be collecting Prime Origins to enhance her abilities as a Deity…… but if she consumes a lot of that energy for the repatriation of the Heroes……]

[As for Vysis, it’s possible that she just disregarded repatriating the Heroes and wanted to just use all of the energy for herself.]

Let’s change our perspective a little bit.

[For some purpose, Vysis is stockpiling Prime Origins……]

Hijiri turns her gaze to me.

[In other words…… The past Heroes who were summoned may not have been repatriated to their former world. They were either dealt with by Vysis or forced to spend the rest of their lives in this world…… not of their own volition.]

[Given the state of the Lineage of Heroes I had met in the past…… It’s not impossible. And, in situations where she’s disposing of them…… She’s using the Disposal Ruins.]

Perhaps, there might be some inconvenience if she directly dealt with them herself.

However, if they were to die at the Disposal Ruins where she teleported them to…… that could be considered safe.

If this really is the case……

I see.

Perhaps, there’s a meaning as to why she went out of the trouble to send them down the Disposal Ruins.

[I also have something I’d like to ask. Sogou and you sisters, do you really want to return to our former world?]

[I think it’s safe to say that Sogou-san and us sisters…… and I suppose the members of Sogou-san’s group are thinking that way.]

[If Vysis is defeated and we obtain the Prime Origin, we can return to our former world even without that sh*tty Goddess————- through the Forbidden Curse of Repatriation.]

I’ve already told her about the Forbidden Curse of Repatriation through Erika’s familiar.

[In short, what Mimori-kun is saying is that this is also a battle for us 2-C to return to our former world. And…… You want me to tell that to Sogou-san as well.]

[It really helps that you can quickly understand what I mean.]

It’s all simple……

“Bring down Vysis.”

Currently, it would be correct to have the guys in 2-C think that way.

And who could be the better flag-bearer to this than Takao Hijiri?

[Regarding Sogou…… Do you have any idea on how to handle her from here on out?]

[After she regains consciousness, why don’t you leave her to me for a while? I think we need to take care of her mentally first.]

[……Alright. The only one who can do that right now is Hijiri after all.]

I think that’s the best we can do right now.

[As for how we’re publicly treated, what do you think?]

[For the time being…… I’d prefer if you were still thought of as dead or missing.]

[You’re right. Even matters in regard to Sogou-san herself, we aren’t sure how things would turn out about her…… and even considering our classmates who should be in Alion, I at least think we shouldn’t give out any information that would make them think that we’re on Mira’s side.]

[……When she wakes up, Sogou-san will be most concerned about them first. At this point in time, I’d say they’re Sogou-san’s biggest weak point.]

Our classmates who should be in Alion.

We have to create a situation where they are safe.

If this were to fail, I feel that Sogou Ayaka’s mental state would be in a precarious situation.

……Worst case scenario, we may have to abandon the 2-C guys left over there.

What I’m concerned about though is how Hijiri sees those guys————-

[About our classmates back in Alion……]

[……Yeah.]

[Actually, it isn’t that there’s no way to safely break them out of Alion in one piece.]

Hmm?

————Ahh.

Could it be……

[The person you mentioned earlier that might be the key to fighting Vysis……]

[Yes———– That certain person…… You could say they’re an inside collaborator. That person, when they find the right moment, might be able to take our classmates out of Alion.]

[Would the person themself be safe?]

[I think they’ll be fine…… I did tell them to give priority to their own safety. However, that person also doesn’t think well of Vysis. Even though they’re quite trusted by Vysis, that is.]

[Heehhh…… So there’s a person around her like that huh.]

A certain person huh.

It doesn’t seem like she intends to reveal their name yet.

They’re close to Vysis and trusted by her.

And yet———- They’re someone who would betray Vysis.

……Something isn’t right.

How should I say this……

If they’re that kind of person, I don’t feel like they’d be someone who’d hang around Vysis.

At that moment———— Hijiri tapped the ground with the tip of her shoe.

[————Well, thinking about it again, I suppose there’s really no point in hiding their…… her name here. Thinking about the future, I should do my best to share information with you. The name of the collaborator I mentioned is Nyantan Kikeepat.]

[————————]

Nyaki.

So this is where the connection between them was made huh.

[Could it be…… you know who she is?]

[No, we have never met before. It’s just……]

That guy……

[She’s someone———– who I’d absolutely like to meet up with safely.]