Arc 7, Chapter 57 - 'I Can’t Live Wiser”

Arc 7, Chapter 57 - “I Can’t Live Wiser”

――He was within a bleak, dark space.

Swaying. Wandering. Being tossed about. Being violated.

It was as if his four limbs, along with everything from his neck up, had been separated from his torso, each of those parts at different places, floating, drifting, rocking, being fiddled with.

His memory was terribly hazy as to what had happened and what was occurring.

Everywhere was pitch-black, leaving him to wonder as to why he had been thrown into such a completely empty space.

――.

――――.

――――――――.

――――――――――.

Nothing, came to mind.

There was no possible reason for him to be trapped in a place such as this, his head and limbs detached, and floating aimlessly.

If that were the case, there would be no pretext as to why he had to be in a place like this, in the first place.

???: [――I love you.]

Every time a thought of the sort flashed across his mind, a faint voice that restrained him from thinking reached his ears.

The voice was hard to hear, be it because it was faint, or simply because it was distant. But it was an impassioned voice that instinctively made him want to listen carefully to it, to lean his head in that direction so that he could hear it.

???: [――I love you. I love you. I love you.]

Every time he heard that voice, the thoughts he’d had till that moment would be reset, returned to zero.

The matter of which option was correct, of whether it should be called bothersome or unavoidable, was unclear.

However, with that being repeated over and over again, a novel issue came into being. Could somehow something be done about the distance of that audible voice?

???: [――I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you.]

As if to interrupt even that notion, the lines from that faint, pleading voice increased.

That was counterproductive, however. Since desiring to hear that voice, to be with the owner of that voice, was the pretext for the birth of that thought, for him to attempt to reach one, starting from zero.

Henceforth――,

???: [Someone...]

With his limbs and head detached from his torso, he was unable to move, unable to do anything himself.

Ergo, he would prefer to rely on the help of those around him, those who would seemingly be able to do something about this situation.

Did someone, anyone, who could help him exist?

Someone who could be capable of lending him a hand, even in such a hopeless situation.

Was there someone who had treated him well?

If that someone arrived alongside him, surely, so would the solution.

――Based on that, for the sake of reaching the voice reverberating from so far away, he would extend his hand.

△▼△▼△▼△

Al: [――Hk.]

Olbart: [Oh? That was quite the spirited blow just now.]

That instant, a large and potent roar echoed through the air, the tremors travelling across the ground and reaching the two men in the travelling inn.

Outside the window, a huge black shadow ran rampant, slowly eroding the Demon City from its center outwards, taking it into itself, digesting it, turning it into something not of this world.

It was, with certainty, the worst nightmare dreaded by every being in the world.

Reminding everyone of exactly that at a single glance, it was an embodiment of the end.

And the one to comprehend the horror brought about by the end of life, with their own skin―― Or rather, to know it with their soul, more so than anyone else, was Al.

Abel and Medium, among others, were currently on the move to defuse the situation.

Instead of joining them, he was crouching here, holding his shaking head in his hand, in this predicament. How on earth could he have said that he would follow them and help them?

Al: [I’m... I, am...]

Had he followed them only to fully realize how powerless he was?

That being the case, for what reason was he, in the first place, doing――?

Olbart: [Good grief, here I am, hurryin’ my ass back, and all I find here’s just one young’un scared sh*tless on the ground? Well, it’d be a problem if His Excellency were here as well.]

Al: [――――]

Olbart: [But Kafma’s fightin’ that thing, isn’t he? Does that mean that His Excellency ordered him to do it, and has no intention of runnin’ away? Do ya know?]

Having spoken so, Olbart walked up to him, sending a question his way.

The small old man cracked the bones in his neck and bent down to look into Al’s face, the latter crouching down. His brain, numbed by fear, barely assimilated the contents of that question.

Vincent, the absent false Emperor, had reached some kind of agreement with Abel, and――,

Al: [H-he’s with a lil’ miss called Tanza...]

Olbart: [Tanza, you mean that deergirl? I dunno what he’s thinkin’, at this point... His Excellency’s a lil’ short on words, ya know. Would be nice if he’d left a note ‘bout what he’s gonna do.]

Al: [Y-you’re...]

Olbart: [Yeah?]

Olbart’s expression formed a frown as he stood up, hearing Al speak. Not wanting to let that monstrous old man distance himself even a bit, Al used his trembling tongue and throat to compose his words. NewW novels updates at novelhall.com

Olbart had returned to this place, but what would he do after this?

Al: [You’re gonna fight that thing, aren’t you?]

Olbart: [Oioi, don’t be stupid.]

Al: [Huh...]

Al was stunned by Olbart answering as if he had nothing to do with the situation.

Then, as Al stared on, stock-still in front him, Olbart pointed out the window.

Olbart: [Nah, got it at first glance. That thing’s pretty darn bad. I’ve got my right hand taken away, too, so I don’t wanna do anythin’ so dangerous.]

Al: [――――]

Olbart: [The reason I came back here’s that I gotta get His Excellency out if he’s stayin’ here without a care. If he’s not here, we need ta find him and get him outta there... Do you happen to know where His Excellency went with that deergirl...?]

Asked by the ever-aloof Olbart, Al simply denied it with a shake of his head.

It was not a lie, but a fact. Most of the exchanges between Abel and the others that had taken place at travelers’ inn after that black shadow engulfed and flooded the Crimson Lapis Castle did not remain in his memory.

With some difficulty, he only remembered that Kafma had flown out as ordered, and that Vincent had left accompanied by Tanza. And that afterwards, Abel had left an useless Al behind, with Medium concerned about Al until the end. That was all.

Olbart: [We’re in serious trouble then, if so. Looks like this town’s bunch’ve been motivated by the foxgirl’s command, and it’s gettin’ harder and harder ta find His Excellency... I don’t wanna stay at this absolute cock-up for too long.]

Al: [――Hk, w-what do you mean by that? No way, you’re running away?]

As he felt his train of thought reaching an unbelievable conclusion, Al’s voice cracked.

Faced with Al’s astonished look, Olbart shrugged his shoulders and voiced, calmly, “What else can I do?”.

Olbart: [Don’t feel I can do anythin’ ‘bout that thing. What’s important to me’s my life and my dream. I don’t see any reason to stay.]

Al: [T-the Emperor! You gotta protect the Emperor, old man...]

Olbart: [The fact that His Excellency’s thinkin’ and actin’ on his own means he’s doin’ what’s best for himself. If he thinks he’s got my help here, he doesn’t get me either. That’s why him bein’ called the Wise Emperor’s also a cryin’ shame.]

Al: [Oh...]

Olbart: [Here’s some advice for ya, ya better run away too. Ya won’t get anythin’ by riskin’ yer life here. Meanin’, the one who lives wiser wins.]

Olbart’s philosophy, something that blended the deadly Vollachia-style iron-blooded code with the fact that his life as a shinobi had been long, was bloody and rock-solid.

This was something that could not be changed, no matter what an outsider such as Al said. ――No, most likely, Olbart’s thinking could not be challenged by anyone other than Olbart.

No one should allow others to dictate and distort one’s life.

For that reason, this man, Olbart Dunkelkenn, reigned as the strongest shinobi. He was a shinobi who had been perfected with him not holding anything as precious, or having anyone to whom he devoted his heart.

No emphasis had been placed on the title of General, on the position of shinobi head-honcho, or on the sense of duty to protect the Emperor.

Not freedom. But lawlessness. ――The world’s greatest “outlaw”, those were his true colors.

That idea would not budge. It could not be swayed. Not by anyone.

Then, having a back-and-forth regarding his ideology here would yield naught.

Al: [――――]

Strongly, firmly grating his molars together, Al lowered the arm he had been pressing against his ear.

The audible booming roars and rumblings of the earth, the cries of the residents of Demon City as they confronted the black shadow, echoed like the scene was a depiction of hell on earth, shaking Al’s heart.

His heart, was about to fracture. His mind, was about to shatter. His soul, was close to dispersing.

But I haven’t. I haven’t yet. If they haven’t.

Al: [...Old man, lemme ask you one thing.]

Olbart: [――? What is it?]

Al: [That... That black mass of shadows’s got something to do with bro, doesn’t it?]

Gritting his teeth to the point of tasting blood, Al assembled words, hiding the trembling in his voice for only a moment.

Al’s deathly resolve―― as that was concealed behind the cloth mask, Olbart perhaps understood so from the expression of the former’s eyes, gone unseen, and from his tone. Bringing his left hand to his own goatee, he spoke,

Olbart: [Oh, right. To me, it looked like the shadows came out of the boy.]

Al: [――――]

Olbart: [After hearing that, have ya decided what you’re gonna do?]

Closing his eyes, Al masticated what Olbart had just told him.

Taritta: [...Because, I couldn’t find, a meaning to it.]

Abel: [――. What reason do you require, beyond saving the Empire from ruin?]

Taritta: [I! I didn’t even know that you were the Emperor, or how you were chased out of the Imperial Capital......! That’s because, to me, to me, as a Stargazer, I am――]

The anguish that had been locked away at the back of her chest for so long finally began to overflow with the opening of her mouth.

And what had unleashed the anguish she had been unsure of how to put into words for a long time, had been none other than Abel’s hounding.

But before she could clearly put it into words――.

Medium: [――Nooo!]

A wide-eyed Medium exclaimed, and Taritta and Abel’s attention quickly shifted upward.

Right above, black darkness covered the building directly above where the three stood―― No, that was not it. It was not just sable darkness spreading, but rather a huge black arm.

Endowed with five fingers, it stretched itself upright, then swung down on the building from directly above.

As if attempting to smash the three people present at this place―― No, as if attempting to grab them with its huge hand.

Taritta: [――Hk, Medium! Abel!]

The moment she witnessed its approach, all extraneous thoughts disappeared from Taritta’s mind.

The scene of verbal assault from just before vanished into thin air; Taritta moved as her instincts dictated, embracing Medium in front of her, carrying Abel on her shoulders, and leaping directly backward.

With that, she attempted to escape the gargantuan black arm’s range. ――Not enough, however.

Caught by the falling fingertips, they were helplessly snatched away from this world.

???: [I will not allow that to happen――!!]

However, just before the titanic arm reached Taritta and the others, a huge mass was wedged with great violence overhead, between the three of them and the giant arm.

Tightly entangled in emerald-green thorny vines, the castle walls had been torn apart and seized.

With tremendous centrifugal force, it became a dome that protected the group of three in which Taritta was included, trying to intercept the falling giant arm.

Naturally, the limb was not something that would be halted by anything of the sort.

Once the huge black arm touched the wall, the latter came undone as easily as candy, disappearing in a second like a leaf being devoured by a winged insect.

However――,

???: [I won’t tolerate any further disorder in my city―― Hk!]

A woman clad in a kimono dived right under the disappearing castle wall, the beast ears on her head all perked up, kicking her long legs upwards, propelling the wall towards the gargantuan arm.

A wave of pressure broke through, beckoning the collapse of the building it focused on. However, the unfathomable might of the woman’s kick caused the gigantic arm on the other side of the wall to bend, halting the erosion.

But, it only stopped for a moment.

Still, that one moment was enough.

Taritta: [――Hk, we’re safe!]

Narrowly escaping the giant arm’s range, her heels grinding into the ground, Taritta exhaled.

Released from her arms, Medium and Abel also landed on the ground. The three of them looked up to see the building that had been their perch earlier being swallowed up by the shadows.

Medium: [Y-Yorna-chan is...!]

Abel: [She’s safe. Though it looks like we are being pursued even more than we were a moment ago.]

Jerking his chin, Abel answered as Medium cast her gaze all around her with a worried look.

At the place her glance was directed to, jumping around while being chased by the shadows running amok, was the kimono-clad woman who had just let loose a potent blow―― was she Yorna Mishigure?

That transcendent force was worthy of qualifying for the Nine Divine Generals.

It was understandable that Abel would wish to have someone like her on his side. A person as powerful as her could easily accept a destiny that would determine the course of the world.

Unlike Taritta, there would be no hesitation if the time came.

Abel: [You saved me once more, Taritta.]

As if seeing through Taritta’s indecision, Abel examined the kneeling Taritta.

She was unable to calm her breathing down, for reasons aside from her exertion immediately prior. However, Abel would spare no quarter to Taritta, either physically or mentally.

Abel: [Had you not extended your hand, I could have lost my life without any effort on your part. And yet, you saved me; was that because you cannot fulfill the commandment you have received without getting your hands dirty?]

Taritta: [T-That’s wrong...!]

Abel: [If so, how come? Your conduct is inconsistent with――]

Medium: [But more importantly, thank you for the help, right!?]

Once again, Medium came to Taritta’s rescue, rendered speechless after the accusation of inconsistent behavior.

Medium, her beautiful golden hair disheveled, was thrusting her finger at Abel right before the latter’s eyes. The difference in stature between the two was visible in her gesture, but even so, Medium did not let go or yield her claim.

Medium: [Abel-chan, you and I would’ve died if Taritta-chan hadn’t saved us, no? We gotta thank her, first of all. Taritta-chan, thank you~!]

Taritta: [H-huh...]

Medium: [Then, back on track! What’s up with that, Abel-chin? What do you wanna have Taritta-chan do?]

Medium looked back and thanked her, then quickly turned to Abel.

Her questioning was delayed somewhat by the exchange between Abel and Taritta, with the former sighing that Medium could not keep up with her understanding of the situation.

Abel: [I already conveyed that to Taritta. I do not require that you understand.]

Medium: [If I don’t understand, I’ll just keep disturbing you ‘til I do, okay? How about that?]

Abel: [――. In order to quell the Great Disaster, I must lose my life. That is the future the Stargazer has seen, and the commandment bestowed upon Taritta.]

Medium: [――? I got no idea of what you mean. Why would that big black shadow calm down after Abel-chin’s death? That’s so weird!]

In response to Medium’s persistent pleas, Taritta bit the inside of her cheek.

Certainly, she could understand the foresight that the Empire would be spared from destruction as a result of fulfilling that commandment. How exactly would that be brought about, Taritta was unsure.

However, that being pointed out only made Medium realize Abel’s ruthlessness――,

Abel: [――Is it not odd?]

But Taritta’s conjecture was stalled by the echo of Abel’s words that followed.

Baring her teeth, Medium voiced out “Odd”, in vehement protest. To which Abel, covering his mouth with his hand, once more repeated it, “Odd”.

Abel: [Taritta.]

Taritta: [Ah, w-what is it?]

Abel: [The commandment you have received, to take my life to spare the Empire from destruction. Are you certain of it?]

Taritta: [――Hk.]

Being directed a question to again, hesitantly, Taritta nodded her head.

She had been told that the commandment she was unable to execute was necessary.

But after ascertaining this, Abel once more spoke, “If so”,

Abel: [Would that not be what you know as destruction?]

Taritta: [Huh...]

Abel: [You know of the divination that a Great Disaster would harken the destruction of the Empire. But you hold the belief that that thing, and the Great Disaster, are one and the same. Are you certain of that?]

With that question, Taritta’s thoughts began racing, trying to discern its meaning.

What could one call that entity that evoked dread and horror, the black shadow gradually spreading from the heart of the Demon City, if not the Great Disaster?

Time and time again, a nightmarish spectacle was displayed to her repeatedly.

Every night, a nightmare, urging her to not forget, over and over again brought Taritta visions of the coming doom. That thing was certainly a manifestation of that, however――,

Taritta: [Is that, the Great Disaster or not...]

Abel: [You have not obtained knowledge of it, is that so? Then perhaps some other Stargazer has.]

Taritta: [Some other...]

After that sentence, Taritta’s eyes began moving frantically.

Although Abel had stated Stargazers were connected to each other, Taritta was an exception. ――No, “exception” was not the correct word. To begin with, they were different from the get-go.

That was why Taritta had no idea about the existence of other Stargazers.

Taritta: [Ah...]

If she were to have an idea about that Stargazer, it would be the person she had encountered just a few moments ago.

Taritta: [――――]

That delicate man who did not let go of his carefree attitude, that obnoxious person who had not even given his name, was so well-informed that he had called Taritta the “Disgrace of Shudraq”.

He knew of Taritta’s sin. Perhaps due to the connection between Stargazers.

What had he, the Stargazer, said upon laying eyes on the Great Disaster?

If she recalled correctly, the man had stated――,

Taritta: [That, it was outside his responsibility...]

Abel: [――. Truly, was that what the Stargazer said? I see.]

Medium: [Abel-chin?]

Hearing Taritta leaking that expression, dumbfounded, Abel nodded, then turned away.

Frowning her eyebrows at that, Medium wrapped around Abel as to go towards his front and peer into his face. And once she did, Medium’s round eyes widened. Startled.

The reason for her surprise was evident in Abel’s immediate reaction.

Abel placed his palm on his own face covered by the oni mask, and fixing his stare solidly on the heart of the Demon City, where the Great Disaster―― or rather, where the all-consuming jet-black mass continued its rampage,

Abel: [――Is the downfall of the Empire, something apart from the Great Disaster?]

With this murmur, Abel then cleared his throat slightly, letting out a short exhale.

To Taritta, who was unable to see the expression on his face, it had nearly sounded like a laugh.

Abel: [If so, there is no reason for you to stumble along the way. ――I shall have you disappear from the board, you interloper.]