4-31: The Magic Tricks Unmasked (4/4)

4-31: The Magic Tricks Unmasked (4/4)

Gue, haa What did you say!? The enemy commander said.

You prepared and conspired so much before staging an all-out attack, and yet you cant win. Moreover, because of you playing terrorists, I was actually able to interfere. And yet you still want to talk about resolve and qualifications? Ku ku ku, what laudable words.

The mask looked down at them and laughed from the bottom of its heart.

Its grating laughed was more than annoying enough to gather their attention.

In the first place, those things about the battlefield that you people keep harping on about are nothing more than illusions, just things that you people wished existed.New novel chapters are published on

The mask poked at the weakness of their claims and began to fold it.

What are you saying!?

Only one rule can be found in the battlefield, and that is the absence of it, an impartial chaos of cruelty. Just as there are cowards that can survive without fighting anyone, just running single-mindedly with their tail between their legs; there are also heroes that can slay tens of thousands, only to die anticlimactically to a stray bullet. The opposite is true too Thats the kind of place the battlefield is.

A cruel chaos that was partial to none, where heroes and fools could die, no exceptions.

And within that anarchy, the so-called resolve and the laws of the battlefield were irrelevant.

If such things held meaning, then the boy behind the mask wouldnt have come out alive.

The battlefields of Garesto had fewer deaths because of their advanced equipment, but the battlefield the boy knew of was nothing like that.

Thats why the girls(his sisters) matter offended him greatly.

And it was because of that that a terrifyingly gentle tone found its way into the masks voice.

But thats precisely why you want there to be order, right? Thats why you want people to need resolve and qualifications. Because otherwise It would be too scary for you to stand in the battlefield.

I have these, so its going to be alright.

We have those, thats why were correct.

We are people that should be standing here.

By having rules, they could think that way.

Isnt that right, cowards? The mask implied under his sneer.

Just like that, the fundamental basis of their claims was turned over its head.

Saying whatever you want just because were not saying anything Not only are you covering for brats like those despite having a power like that, youre even mocking us, whove stood up to right the wrong of this world!

But of course. If those with power do not act to protect the children from the unreasonable, then what should they be doing? In the first place, its precisely because youre only looking at whether one has power or not that you looked down on the young fangs, and things turned out like this.

No matter how much they tried to gloss over the will and effort of the unyielding children, there was no denying the fact that they ultimately failed to defeat them.

And in the first place, the fact that they were actually doing that made all of their claims worthless.

These children are desperately and seriously fighting for their future! You are free to think whatever you want of them now, but I fail to see how you can right any wrong when you keep trying to put down the next generation! Cowardly terrorists who would resort to such poor methods have no right to be speaking of what is right!

Shut up! No matter what you say, well fight regardless of what we have to sacrifice! It doesnt matter how strong you are! We can just fight you six to one! Dont think you can win while having to watch over those dead weights!

To some extent, they have indeed acknowledged the mask to be their superior in combat.

But because of their numerical superiority and the fact that the mask had to cover for their kids, they believed that they could still win.

All they needed to do was to attack at the same time.

But the masks words affected those behind, or perhaps, they simply couldnt stand being protected all the time.

Hmph.

Those are some big words even though youve yet to beat those dead weights!

Ryou jumped out from behind the mask and charged toward the man.

He raised up his great sword and slashed down from the high stance.

Hah! Fool! You shouldve obediently cowered there like the coward you are!

The man received his great sword with his own, giving rise to photon sparks.

With the difference in their output, it was impossible for Ryou to continue this contest of strength.

Hence, the man would continue pushing, and then turn Ryou into his own hostage. Or at least, thats what he was thinking, but then a groan resounded from behind him.

Whats wrong!?

The man left most of his attention on Ryou as he switched the scene projected on his visor to the area behind him. There, he saw his subordinates knocked out and several bits floating in the air.

No matter how experienced they are, in the end, theyre just using simple exoskeletons. The equipment from the school can take them out in one hit, Yousuke said.

You used shield bits as blunt weapons!? H-How could you use them like that!?

But even as she thought that that was how she should see the situation, something else came to mind because of their original relationship.

But it would be best if you use this as an opportunity to think if this is really the right path for you.

You mean, because I wasnt useful in battle at all, so I should give up on fighting and look for a different path?

A bitter face quickly replaced her blushing face as she bit her lips.

Although the mask thanked her, she didnt believe shed accomplished anything.

Thats why she took the masks words in that manner, but the mask denied it.

Thats not it. I neither have the right nor qualifications to tell you that. The only one who can decide that is the one who made the effort, in other words, you. What I want is for you to stop choosing your future course solely because of your own aptitude. Even if it is for the sake of someone close to you.

Her abilities, ranks, and disposition all were relatively suited for this field.

If she could gather more experience and become more flexible, she would surely become a brilliant warrior.

If she was doing it for her family, then it was even laudable.

But

If you keep going down this path, one day, something like today will happen again. Im not trying to repeat what they told you, but while you dont need resolve to stand in the battlefield, you do need it to remain.

She would also need it when she makes her decision on whether to injure life or not.

Thats why, regardless what she chose, the mask wanted her to think on it after seeing many things.

Does the future you seek truly exist only through this path? Im sure no one will mind if you consider your options. After all, this is a school. Its a place originally meant for that

Youko nodded, but a surprised expression had surfaced on her.

Shed realized that she hadnt really even considered her other options.

At the same time, the mask let out a small breath and became relieved, but no one noticed that.

As for Tomoe, she thought it was good advice, but she was greatly shocked that the mask would say something like that.

Hes kinda different when he was with me

Although the mask was considerate with her and showed her gentleness as well, it wasnt this gentle.

Because of that Tomoes eyes narrowed, as though to say, so he prefers girls like Youko, huh.

!?

But then suddenly, an evil presence descended on their surroundings, and the two of them turned behind them simultaneously.

Youko, who sat right at the middle, was the only one who was confused by the situation.

She couldnt see it, but to those who could, they could see that a group of expressionless, red devil faces had surrounded them.

Why are there shikionis here!? Tomoe said.

Have you forgotten why you came here in the first place?the mask said.

Ah.

Tomoe had no idea what was happening here in the first place, but then on top of that, she just had to experience her first teleportation, and then the first thing she saw after that was her best friends plight, so she couldnt be blamed for completely forgetting everything else, but their original purpose for coming here was to deal with the curse.

Thats why

We supported you people that much, and yet in the end, it comes to this? You really cant expect much from a rebel army of a bunch of idiots that got kicked out even by foreigners. Truly, just being of use to us was already a great boon to you.

The man that suddenly appeared mocked the fallen volunteer army.

It neednt be said who would be facing him.

As for whether the superpowers from Earth could reach the illusion of another world, that was a question that was about to be answered.

So youve finally come out. But Ah, I suppose this feeling wont go away unless I clean this up too.

The time was approaching afternoon, and the battle that started since morning was finally coming to an end.

But it was precisely at this sort of time that was the most dangerous, and a bad premonition washed over the mask.

There was no basis behind it, no conjectures, and neither was it the kind of premonition born from the countless experiences of the boy either.

And yet despite that, the mask was certain that the last disturbance was still somewhere after this.

In this land, there yet exists malice and hostility that I do not know of