Chapter angry-oni: Angry Oni

Angry Oni

The conference that began today hasn’t yet ended after one day, with slow progress made on various detailed adjustments to the plan, the discussion stretched out over the entire day. Compared to the second conference which was little more than a face-to-face meeting, the conference this time began the real work on preparing all the steps so I guess you could say it was natural. In addition, the Divine Word Religion was also being forced to collaborate in an area that hadn’t originally been planned, so there were many things to discuss.

The detailed schedule for overthrowing the Kingdom. Seizing hold of the Empire. Laying the groundwork for the other countries. The plans for the march towards the elf village. Devising the means for the demons to be invited into the human territories. The plans for the march towards the elf village for the demons. Once the discussion started on the details it was endless.

Eventually the conference continued until nightfall. The Divine Word Religion treated us to dinner, and even prepared rooms for us so that we were able to have accommodations. If I asked Shiro-san I would be able to return to the demon territories, but it seems that everyone felt like staying over today.

I took a break in the room that lent to me. Before I went to sleep, I wanted to be able to focus on creating magic swords until I used up all my MP.

「Sasa-ya-a-a-n! You still up?」

Just when I completed the first magic sword, there was a knock on the door and at the same time Kusama’s voice rang out.

「Yeah I’m still up. Also, didn’t I tell you to call me Wrath?」

While opening the door, I warned him.

「Sorry, sorry.」

Kusama came into the room without looking the least bit shy. While sighing to myself, I closed the door. Kusama is carrying some sweets and drinks in both hands, so it’s clear that he’s fully intending to stay for a while. With this, I’ll have to give up on being able to create any more magic swords.

「Oh? This is a magic sword?」

The sharp sighted Kusama spotted the magic sword that I’d just created.

「That’s right.」

「Hey hey, Sasa-, Wrath, your skill has gotta be about creating magic swords or something like that right?」

「Yeah.」

With the conversation with Kusama, I think my frayed feelings have calmed down a bit. It really is just a little bit though, since there’s no resolution at a fundamental level. This irritation which is coiled up within my chest with no way to let it out, is probably not going to clear away any time soon.

「Sasa-yan, why are you in such a bad mood? I might not be reliable, but you could at least consult with me, okay?」

In response to Kusama’s atypical serious voice, I realise that I must be in an extremely bad state. Even if I talk to Kusama about it, it surely won’t resolve the problem. However, thinking that it might divert my mood, I started to tell the truth bit by bit.

When I first heard about this plan from Shiro-san, the very first thing that came to mind was an indescribable discomfort. A visceral feeling of disgust that couldn’t be explained with words. What that was, was the repugnance I felt towards the method of using brainwashing.

Brainwashing was what caused me to gain the Wrath skill. It’s a despicable method that I hate more than anything else. Yet that is what Shiro-san is using without any hesitation. She’s already using it. Natsume is brainwashing people one after the other, while he himself is completely unaware that he’s been brainwashed by Shiro-san. I can’t laugh it off.

If it really is necessary, then even I might be able to endure it. However, the recent incident was unexpected even for Shiro-san – it was done “inadvertently”. People fell into disaster, “inadvertently”.

Brainwashing, both for those affected by it and those around them, is a disaster. I killed my little sister by own hands when brainwashed. My brainwashed elder brother was led to perform similar atrocities. When I saw that, I remember being so angry that my vision went completely red.

In this situation, the brainwashed Hasebe-san will surely fall into disaster. In addition, Shun as well after he’s betrayed by Hasebe-san.

I am in the position of supporting that. Actually, rather than supporting, it might be more accurate to say that I’m in the position of leading that. Although I hadn’t know about this situation, I had chosen to support Shiro-san. And that choice has already reached the stage where it cannot be reversed. At this late stage, just because I could evade responsibility for the current brainwashing issue, I can’t stop the plan going forwards at all.

I am about to do things that are as atrocious as what those brainwashed are about to do, or maybe even more so. Beyond this point, no matter what reason I may have, those actions will simply be evil to the victims. I am, evil.

To be like that makes me feel nauseous. Even so, I can’t stop. I don’t even think of stopping. I mustn’t think about it.

「I don’t think you have to take it that seriously though. Whether you’re “good” or “evil”, at the end of the day doesn’t it just depend on your standpoint? In that case, you just gotta keep faith that your standpoint is a “good” one.」

Kusama’s thoughts on hearing my story, were so straightforward that they were dazzling. I’m jealous of you for being able to say it like that.

Either way, this is not something that can be stopped with my personal feelings. In that case, I can only press on until the bitter end. Even if it is something evil, I will help Shiro-san until the very end. Yes, until I die.

Kusama「Kaiten Kenbu Rokuren!」

Oni「Don’t do that inside the room, idiot.」