Chapter 328 – Obsession———- and Onward, To the Conclusion

The light drizzle became full-on rain.

The translucent chain unleashed struck true toward Kirihara Takuto’s body and floated on his skin.

And then———— Bang.

The sound of something bursting open followed.

And then……

[<Paralyze>]

———–Crickle———–Crackle———–

Neither of that sound rang out, nor that effect occurred.

My skill worked.

Indeed———— The Forbidden Curse can crush through that spell.

It can crush that d*mned <Dispel Bubble>.

[……That was quite difficult, Kirihara. Getting you so riled up, along with your golden dragons, that is……]

[Mi…… mo———–, ……!?]

Bfshhuuuuu!

Perhaps because he forcibly tried to move his body……

Blood spurted out from Kirihara.

However, the damage he received appears to be slightly less than I thought.

I suppose that is thanks to his Status huh.

Or perhaps, he instinctively felt something was dangerous and immediately stopped himself from moving.

……The golden dragons around him also disappeared.

[It…… disappeared? My…… skill…… What is……? Mi…… mori…… what…… did you……]

Was it due to the damage he received?

Or perhaps, because of my <Paralyze>……

Or possibly another effect of the Forbidden Curse……

That is something I’m not sure of.

In any case, it seems like Kirihara still hadn’t noticed her yet———- he still hadn’t noticed Munin, who was breathing heavily behind him.

Kirihara looks at me sharply, blood pouring out from his mouth and eyes.

And then, Kirihara looks at Seras and raises one hand.

Pfuuush!

Due to his forced movements, blood spurted from Kirihara’s arm.

Thereupon……

[Now is…… the time…… Seras……]

Kirihara spoke.

Sounding as if he’s commanding someone.

[Kill…… Mimori……]

Hearing his words, Seras took a step back.

[……Do that to Touka-dono? Me……? W- What are you even……]

[My…… This king’s……battle…… you’ve seen it…… you should have…… been awakened…… That this…… is providence———- That Kirihara…… That…… I am…… exa———]

[<Sleep>.]

Kirihara’s eyes went blank.

Thereupon, Kirihara closed his eyes…… and went to sleep.

The gauge showing the skill duration appeared above his head.

And there, Kirihara collapsed to the ground.

Watching all these occur, I looked down to Kirihara.

[…………….]

This guy……

Seemingly realizing what just happened, Seras put her palm to her mouth and turned pale.

[Touka…… -dono…… Just now, he was being serious…… Probably believing that “that will happen”, he tried……]

I can understand why Seras was frightened.

There was no lie in his last words.

That’s something I can tell.

[He got his own world inside his mind…… A “world” that he fabricated. In that world, seeing Kirihara fighting desperately for you…… the scenario in his mind was that you would awaken…… snapping out from the supposed brainwashing that I had apparently put you into.]

The incitement I made in order to create an opening.

The fact that I had hit the bullseye is why Kirihara was so agitated……

However, there’s another possibility.

It’s true that he was furious.

However————

I was having him confront his selfish self-image that was so far removed from his true self……. but in other words, he took my agitation as an “unjustified insult” and became enraged.

Such a thing isn’t impossible.

Of course, I wouldn’t know what it could really be.

It may just be me overthinking this too.

Oyamada was easy to understand.

However, in regards to Kirihara……

Kirihara, on the other hand, was easy to understand, but somewhat unclear in some ways.

Asagi did mention something like that too about Kirihara.

I see———- It really was just as she analyzed huh.

[……Well, in any case……]

This guy was coming to kill me.

With a clear intent to kill……

Brimming with killing intent———– He really had intended to kill me.

This guy…… he crossed the line.

He had already crossed that line.

Rules are something created by people.

And now, he’s under the effect of my <Paralyze>……

[………………..]

Is there anything to be gained from him……?

For example, any special information about Vysis.

Will he tell me information about her?

Him?

……No.

Nothing much.

Rather than the information that I “might” get.

In this guy’s case———– my priority should be to completely neutralize him.

As I thought, in this place……

Pointing my hand towards Kirihara————

[…………What is that?]

[Touka-dono, something is———–]

Seras has also noticed it.

That someone had suddenly made her entrance———-

This pressure makes it feel like the hair all-over my body raised.

[————Munin!]

[Eh?]

[Come here! Quickly!]

[Y- Yes!]

Just as Munin stepped behind Seras, who had her stance ready———-

[No, you can’t kill him.]

She appeared.

With blinding speed, she was about to come closing in———–

Giiiiiiiiiiin!

Seras blocked the mace-like weapon with her sword.

That was something I barely saw.

Perhaps……

It was Seras that she was able to block it.

If it was me, it would have been impossible to avoid it, let alone properly block it.

……However……

I now know the direction she’s coming from.

Having the first to anticipate it, Seras quickly prepared———–

For that moment has arrived.

[Kuh!? You are———-]

[Please move aside, Seras-san……!]

With eyes filled with urgency, she looked at me.

[Mimori-kun, you are———–! What do you intend on doing————-]

Taking one glance at Kirihara, who was lying down on the ground……

[What were you going…… to do to our classmate……!?]

The glance seemed to confirm if Kirihara was still breathing.

Just a little bit, I could see that her fighting spirit had relaxed.

……………………

No matter how I patch things up……

What I was like just now———–

It certainly wouldn’t be strange to see it as I am about to finish off Kirihara.

Besides……

She isn’t really mistaken for seeing it that way.

It’s just……

If I had killed him, I might have been “ended” here.

[………………]

“This is wrong! Isn’t Mimori-kun our classmate!?”

……Yeah.

You aren’t seeing things.

If I were to try to finish Kirihara from here……

I’m not sure what’s going on.

With an opponent like her……

It’s difficult to unleash my Abnormal State Skill.

The moment I try to unleash it, there’s a high probability that it will be considered a hostile act.

If she were to knock me unconscious at this point———- that would be bad.

Above all……

If she had also received the <Dispel Bubble>……

I can’t neutralize her.

That would only show her my hostility, a “declaration of my intent”.

Unleashing my Abnormal State Skill in this situation could be the worst thing I can do.

Even if I don’t unleash it on her……

Even if I tried to use it on Kirihara……

Even if I tried to use my skill on a guy like him……

She will immediately suppress me.

That’s something I’m certain of.

I could tell.

The look in her eyes, it clearly indicates it……

That she can do it———- and she will do it.

And so, she told me not to move.

The only one who could possibly fight her at this point is Seras.

However, she has been severely depleted from the fight earlier.

No matter who they are, she will absolutely protect her classmates.

This S-Rank Hero swore so……

And now, there’s no one here who can stop her by force.

Not a single one among us.

Yes…… being “hostile ” here won’t allow me to win.

While holding my hand toward Kirihara, I called out her name.

[……, Sogou.]

And with her arrival———– I remembered Kashima.

Her arrival here should be Kashima’s decision to take action.

“If you want to protect Sogou, and if you think this information is necessary at that moment…… You may reveal to Sogou what I’m about to say from now on, including my true identity.”

Suppose Sogou had been told false information and was being manipulated.

In other words, if that sh*tty Goddess was making the Fly King out to be the villain.

I had her tell Sogou about the “facts” of what I have done as the Fly King.

For example———– about how I saved Yasu.

That Yasu had a change of heart.

That information might function as a stumbling block to Sogou.

If the one who told her this was Kashima, then perhaps, Sogou would probably listen to her.

Even if she couldn’t persuade her, I was hoping she would at least listen to what she had to say.

Considering such things, I revealed some information to Kashima.

…………I see.

So this is how it turned out huh.

It seems like she’s worse than I thought————

[Mimori-kun…… Why?]

Mimori Touka’s survival.

It must have taken her some time to hear from Kashima and come here……

However, within the time she traveled from there to here, her surprise and shock she felt faded.

I guess she had sorted out her feelings to some extent.

Of course, the moment she saw me just now, she had a somewhat shocked look on her face.

……Kashima also told her about this place huh.

Or perhaps, it could be Asagi.

[The reason Kirihara came here…… Have you heard about it from Kashima?]

[……Yes.]

After her eyes sadly lowered, Sogou lifted her head up.

[That’s why———– I had come. To stop Kirihara-kun…… and to stop you.]

[Kirihara is dangerous. He has no hesitation in killing anyone he feels is in his way. In fact, he tried to kill me too.]

[That…… That’s no reason to kill him! Do you have any reason to kill him!? You’ve already won, haven’t you, Mimori-kun!? Then, that’s just strange…… Just from looking at it, the battle’s already settled! Yes, just like Yasu-kun…… I’m sure he will also change! Even Zakurogi-sensei promised to change! Then, I’m sure Kirihara will also change…… If we just properly talk it over, I’m sure!]

[Talking to Kirihara…… Would talking to him really make your thoughts get through him?]

[That is…… because I lack power…… but now, I’m different!]

Sogou decisively said.

[I can get through him now. I just needed some time to talk to him———– with this power. This power is a necessary factor to talk about things with others…… That is something I learned. Without power…… No one will “uprightly” listen to you! That’s why, I became this strong! Just as Belzegia-san———— Just as what you had told me at that time!]

[Did you seriously think……]

Hearing her logic, I spoke.

[——that you can convince Kirihara?]

[I don’t approve…… of Kirihara-kun’s way of thinking. However…… the idea that weak people only drag down the strong…… is just wrong. The truth is…… those who are powerful should help those who are less powerful…… not cut them down or sacrifice them…… That kind of thing is just wrong. That is…… definitely wrong. Hey, Mimori-kun…… I think people are creatures that can grow…… we can change. That’s why the strong should be the role model for them…… lend them strength…… No, perhaps…… it might be a bit different. Having a distinction between strong and weak itself…… I think that is wrong. In the world, there are just people who can do certain things which other people can’t…… and the things each person is “capable” and “incapable” of are surely different for each person…… Yes…… That’s why people who are capable help those who aren’t…… Complement each other with things we are capable of…… Even those who others think are “incapable” must have something they can do…… If we can take care of each other and fill in the missing parts…… I’m sure a world where everyone can be happy will come! However! There are people who don’t believe that! We need to make a world where we can place faith in others! We have to change things! Us who have the power!]

That’s certainly a President-like way of thinking.

Yes, righteous to a fault.

It’s just……

The words they say, they’re too big.

Kirihara’s story about the world.

Sogou’s story about the world.

As for me———- I just want to live as I please, in the world within my reach.

Talking about the world in such a splendid way isn’t something I can do.

I don’t have the mind to think about strangers whose faces I don’t even know.

[………………]

In any case……

The conditions have changed.

I———- can’t kill Kirihara.

At least, not here.

If I try to kill him, I will be suppressed by Sogou.

Sogou will not let Kirihara be killed.

She will never let that happen.

Besides, I want to avoid being hostile with Sogou.

If I can make her perceive the Goddess as a definite enemy———

If I can make Sogou our ally, we can gain an advantage in the battle against the Goddess.

If I kill Kirihara here, that route will be ruined.

No——— It isn’t that simple.

She may go on a rampage.

If Sogou goes on a rampage here, we may suffer some fatal damage.

Killing Kirihara here is too risky.

If I had killed him earlier———- It might have been an instant out.

However……

Letting Kirihara just live is also a risk.

For my revenge hereafter, that is.

Would I be able to restrain Kirihara after that?

Fighting him while he’s quite conscious……

While he’s well capable of thought……

Fighting him in that state seems dangerous.

Kirihara Takuto being in that state is quite the “concern”.

Him being in that state is a risk I can’t just disregard.

In that case……

[I understand.]

[Eh?]

[Kirihara is now sleeping with my Abnormal State Skill. His wounds may have been something caused by my skills, but it’s also something that Kirihara himself has done to himself.]

[Kirihara-kun, by himself?]

I explained the nature of my <Paralyze>.

[Does that mean…… Mimori-kun himself had no intention to kill him?]

[Yeah.]

Sogou bit her lip, seemingly conflicted.

[Listen to me, Sogou.]

[……………….]

[I have a skill called <Freeze> among my Abnormal State Skills.]

Now, I talked to her about my <Freeze>.

Yes.

This skill won’t “kill” you.

If I use it on the living, not the dead.

For 300 days, their time would stop within a special ice.

That’s what I told her.

At my words, Sogou seemed to be frantically thinking about something.

[It doesn’t mean he will die…… and the skill will be lifted…… after 300 days?]

I took out my pocket watch.

[Yeah, 300 days.]

Sogou was silent for a moment.

[……Mimori-kun.]

[Yeah.]

[I’m glad———- I’m glad you’re alive.]

Seras remained motionless, silently looking at Sogou with her weapon at the ready.

Munin was also silent, watching the proceedings.

Pigimaru is also quiet.

In the distance, Slei’s neighing could be heard.

[……………..]

[That time, back in the Anti-Demon White Castle…… The one who helped me was you——–]

[……Yeah.]

[I heard about it from Kashima-san…… That to help lots of people…… you had to get your own hands dirty……?]

[That…… is something I only did for myself.]

It was also for my salvation.

I did it because I wanted to.

However, for Sogou……

[You’re wrong! I think you’re definitely mistaken! You have saved me…… You had also saved Yasu-kun, didn’t you!? You’re not just a ruthless avenger! You’re not just the kind of person——— who would harm a classmate! You’re wrong! That’s not it…… You’re mistaken! You are…… Mimori-kun is……]

Sogou is trying to deny something.

However———- it seems like she couldn’t do it.

The words she had just uttered.

Rather than towards me, they may be things she was telling to herself———-

[However…… However, Mimori-kun…… Why didn’t you——— tell me at that time?]

[………………]

[Why…… didn’t you trust me……?]

Finally……

As if she was finally unable to bear it anymore……

Sogou’s expression crumbled———- Her eyes brimming with overflowing tears.

[Is it true then? That actually…… After parting ways in the Anti-Demon White Castle…… That you are currently brainwashed by Mad Emperor-san? That Kashima-san had also been deceived? That Kashima-san had been told a lie…… Are you trying to manipulate me? Asagi-san is hard to understand in some ways…… but Kashima-san is someone I could believe in…… but Kashima-san is a very meek girl…… I don’t mean to be rude to Kashima-san…… but if a girl’s as meek as her…… she might be deceived! No, perhaps, Kashima-san had…… Asagi-san too! Hey, Mimori-kun…… Did you really———- not kill Yasu-kun!? Is that true!?]

[Ayaka-do———-]

I stopped Seras, who was about to interject, with my hand.

[Even if you do trust Kashima…… you don’t trust the story I told her about me huh.]

She knew.

She knew I had been deceiving her.

I had been deceiving her, who had protected me when I was about to be disposed of.

I didn’t tell her that I was still alive.

I had kept on making maneuvers behind the scenes.

That’s why———- It’s impossible.

Even if I wanted her to trust me……

Unlike Seras, Sogou is incapable of judging what is true and what isn’t.

She can only believe what she herself decides to believe in.

However……

If that “self” that makes the judgment is shaken……

If even her current self got played with and torn to pieces……

[I will not…… take my chances———–]

Seemingly crumbling……

Sogou, looking like she was in tatters, with tears flowing down her eyes———–

[I can’t…… I’m sorry. Since coming to this world…… I can’t trust anyone anymore…… The time I spent with you…… before we came to this world…… and even after we came to this world…… was too short…… that’s why I…… I can not…… Mimori-kun——–]

The time that Sogou and I spent together in this world is too little.

It’s too short.

That’s why……

The basis to tell Sogou Ayaka to trust me————

[I———- can not…… trust in you, Mimori-kun……!]

——-doesn’t exist.

That’s why, in the end……

[In that case, for example———— If it’s me, who you spent quite a lot of time together in this world with, would you trust me then?]

[……, ————Eh?]

Sogou, who was about to break down in tears, inadvertently turned around upon hearing those words————–

[We finally met again, Sogou-san.]

[No…… way…… Hi……]

This time, tears of a different kind overflowed from Sogou Ayaka’s eyes.

[Hijiri-san!]

Appearing from behind was another S-Rank Hero———– Takao Hijiri.

Yes……

Unlike Kashima Kobato……

She is not only a person Ayaka “trusts”———– She’s also someone who can’t be easily fooled by others.

Of course, that isn’t something one can definitely be certain of.

However……

At least———– She is more trustworthy than me.

Seeing that she had finally appeared, I let out a sigh.

For the time being……

She had made it in time huh.

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