○The End of Spirit Variation
After Kurumi and the others escaped from the dungeon, they finally took in a sigh of relief.
“I’m tired……”
Ariadne muttered while lying down. However, Kurumi and the others didn’t try to stop it. Haraka and Hibiki silently lay down while trying to catch their breath.
“Are we the only ones with energy left?”
“……No, I also want to lie down. But just now, I can’t help but worry from the look in Tsuansan’s eyes.”
Kurumi mumbled and complained. Just after escaping, the color in Tsuan’s eyes tinged while staring intently at Kurumi. It was a sight that was quite──terrifying.
After all, this seemed like a mixture of love sickness and fighting spirit. Her cheeks were dyed red to indicate the blood rushing to her head. Her eyes were shining and inflamed for a fight.
…….Apparently, she wanted the promise to be fulfilled right now.
“……Promise, promise♪”
A murmur that sounded like humming. Kurumi took a deep breath and exhaled out a
“haaaaaaaah” and asked with a slightly dead look in her eyes.
“You really want to do it right now?”
“Really do it right now.”
“Um……it honestly doesn’t make much sense. Coming with the intent to kill, I would retaliate with the same. Isn’t that not the conclusion Tsuan-san wants right now?”
“But, Tokisaki Kurumi will be going far away soon, so it can’t be helped.”
As the sudden truth was thrusted at Kurumi, she awkwardly looked away from Tsuan.
“Aah. Un. It’s not my plan to particularly hold back. If you hold back, I feel that your relationship with me will be over next time. But then, I don’t think my ego will especially let me want to say goodbye otherwise.”
“……Isn’t it a bit inappropriate to have a fight to say good-bye?”
“Fufu. I am a Quasi-Spirit who can only live in battle-prone regions like Tenth Region Malkuth and the Fifth Region Gevurah. A final straightforward clash to say goodbye.”
Kurumi and Tsuan’s line of sight intersected. Kurumi sighed for a third time and relented.
“The foot here is poor, how about we switch locations?”
“Of course. There is a nice forest ahead. I think we can fight as much as we want there.”
“It can’t be helped. I’ll referee so that it doesn’t evolve into a killing match.”
“……It would be better if alone……”
“Has all that blood gone straight to your head? To grumble about something trivial.”
Tsuan nodded with a feeling of reluctance.
“Then, then I……”
“……Ah, Hibiki-san, please take a break. You are really tired, right?”
As Kurumi kicked off against the ground, Hibiki tried to control her hand to staggeringly stand up.
“Me too──”
“Ah, wait Hibikin. There’s something I want to talk about.”
Still, Ariadne pulled back Hibiki as she was trying to stand up.
“……What?”
Ariadne smiled at Hibiki’s alert eyes. ……In a sense, Ariadne believed Tokisaki Kurumi was only able to get this far through the aid of Higoromo Hibiki. Even if the person herself would deny this.
“To talk about something important. ……Slightly, I think I want to answer my question.”
“Is that right? Then let’s talk.”
Hibiki and Ariadne faced each other while consciously shelving aside the easygoing feeling of comradery.
◇
“I’ll keep it to a radius of 500 meters. With this, there won’t be any intrusions.”
Kagarike Haraka causally tossed her talisman. The talisman transformed into a small bird and immediately flew into the sky.
(TL Note: little bird is written as Kotori in this case)
“Well then, do whatever you want with the rest. I’m watching, but I won’t meddle unless you go overboard. ……And also, can you call off skills? Magic as well.”
The two of them nodded and agreed to cancel the magical skills that could only be used in parts of the Fifth Region Gevurah.
Rather than it being cowardice for any acquired skill, both of them were worried that the combat variations would become too spread out.
For Kurumi, it would be troublesome if Tsuan used magic to unleash long-range attacks. On the contrary, for Tsuan if Kurumi used any more means to attack her weak points, her thoughts wouldn’t be able to keep up.
“Of course. That’s fine.”
“I don’t mind. ……Now then, shall we do it? Tsuan-san?”
“Un. ……Somehow this is strangely refreshing.”
Despite being tired, even the slightest effort done by the body caused strength to leak out from its cage. The sharpened nerves could recognize even a single leaf falling from the trees. Just like a marathon runner just before the finishing line, a complete high by loving the world──that sort of feeling.
“……Tsuan. Unsigned Angel <Lailaps>, Astral Dress <Brinicle>. I will definitely win.”
“Tokisaki Kurumi. Angel <Zafkiel>, Astral Dress <Elohim>. Won’t you lose?”
A cool breeze passed through the forest.
In an instant Kurumi set up her antiquated gun and fired. A blink of an eye quick draw.
It couldn’t be seen. Rather than the bullet, Tsuan couldn’t see the moment of shooting the bullet.
But it was just a bullet. For the current Tsuan, it was simple to repel just by hardening her defenses.
While guarding her face with her arms and <Lailaps>, she swiftly ran the shortest distance. However, the moment the bullet landed a direct hit, she was sent flying backwards.
“……!”
“Ara, ara. What great sturdiness.”
Kurumi gave an amazed look as she furthered her pursuit. But Tsuan immediately got up, jumping and kicking off a tree trunk, nimbly moving both left and right. Kurumi was thrown into confusion.
Not being able to follow with her eyes, Kurumi moved the muzzle of the pistol in both directions. Then, Tsuan rushed to attack all at once. The attack came from neither the front, left, nor right, but directly above her blind spot.
However, as Tsuan slightly raised <Lailaps>, the rifle in Kurumi’s other hand was pointed at her.
“Unfortunately. I was able to read it.”
Just as Tsuan’s nerves had become sharper, Kurumi’s senses after finishing a fierce battle were also as precise as ever.
Feeling the mood in the air, she could perceive the fighting spirit with her mind.
Kurumi, who sensed the silent attack, naturally pulled the trigger. However, Tsuan displayed something here that greatly exceeded Kurumi’s expectations.
“……!”
Unbelievably, Tsuan was dodging Kurumi’s bullets while up in the air. She was twisting her entire body while observing the fired bullets. Rather than paying attention to the bullet that grazed her cheek, Tsuan smashed <Lailaps> against Kurumi’s head.
……The response is……absent……?
It should have been a direct hit. Like usual, the dull recoil of a crushed skull should have been transmitted to her hands.
And yet, the feeling Tsuan felt was like hitting a piece of tissue paper.
“……”
Upon landing, Tsuan understood.
“Warded off……!?”
As <Lailaps> was struck directly above to crush her head, Kurumi made a small summersault with her head facing the ground to completely kill the shockwave.
It was easy to say in words. Simple but──Tsuan admired the incredible sight she just saw.
If her judgement had been delayed for just a second, if her parry had been off just by a millimeter, there would have been a serious injury.
“You got to be kidding……”
Even Haraka, who proclaimed herself to be the referee, leaked out that whisper.
And Kurumi wasn’t so slow to not notice Tsuan landing on the ground defenselessly.
<Zafkiel> struck against Tsuan’s body like a heavy downpour.
“<Brinicle>……!”
However, Tsuan’s Astral Dress was of the finest quality. Freezing the air in front of her, it acted in accordance to Tsuan’s intentions in knowing she could no longer avoid those bullets.
Selecting the bullets that arrived late, she swung <Lailaps>. The bullets scattered to the surroundings, with many crumbling away from the halberd’s direct hit.
“Ara, ara. Have you grown, Tsuan-san?”
“It’s a special hidden card because I’m up against Tokisaki Kurumi.”
With such a cute thing being said, Kurumi internally smiled wryly. Originally, something like the First Bullet <Aleph>, the Second Bullet <Bet>, or the Seventh Bullet <Zayin> should be used. But since Tsuan was proudly fighting at the forefront, Kurumi decided to shelf that usage in the corner of her head.
After all, there was a strong desire to outperform Tsuan in skill.
“But, a single blow coming from directly above. Did you sway your hand a little at the last minute?”
In truth, it looked like a one-hit blow with all her strength, but at the moment of contact with her head, there was a feeling of ‘don’t kill’.
“……Because, I don’t want you to die……”
As Tsuan looked the other way with her mood spoiled, Kurumi at last couldn’t contain her laughter.
How amusing, Kurumi thought. Not having fun fighting, Tsuan was enjoying just doing this.
Where a single misstep could mean death, it was like a sport of trying not to die.
The accelerated thoughts didn’t stop as it superimposed on all of the tactics going through her head. The infinitely branching attack options were all trying to find out the correct answer for this.
“Tokisaki Kurumi.”
“What is it?”
“As expected, I’ll propose this once again. Would you like to spend time together in this Neighboring World?”
“……What?”
“I like you. You also like me a bit. Not only me, but the Quasi-Spirits living in the Neighboring World, I think most people who know you end up liking you.”
“……I’m grateful for that.”
“I like fighting with you. I also like talking to you. I like watching you and Higoromo Hibiki trivially arguing back and forth. ……I even like peace a little. Only if I can continue moving my body like this sometimes.”
“For that reason……”
“Even if it’s not the Fifth Region Gevurah, if you live in the Ninth Region Gevurah, there will be fewer fights. Well, that also comes with the contract of idol activities. So then, to have Tokisaki Kurumi and Higoromo Hibiki and I, the three of us living together. I think it will definitely lead to an exhausting life, but that’s why I feel it’ll be interesting──”
“Tsuan-san. Don’t keep talking about that anymore.”
Kurumi rejected the future that Tsuan was describing. But against those cold eyes, Tsuan wasn’t scared at all and stared back at Kurumi with a calm look.
“I want you to think that such an option exists.”
“I can’t help you there.”
“Un. You don’t have to think about it right now. Don’t mind it till the very end. Just before you leave this Neighboring World, if you think that you wish to turn back.”
A gentle suggestion proposed with a gentle expression. As Kurumi was thinking how to reject this offer, Tsuan’s words were so charitable that she felt weak.
“……Is that your plan?”
“Partially. But the other half is still true.”
Tsuan held onto her chest while informing.
“You would have no enemies.”
Kurumi sighed, thinking about the words she would have never imagined hearing while she was in the Tenth Region Malkuth.
“That’s right. I will think about it at the very end.”
Tsuan muttered and smiled like a child in a good mood. It was innocent smile of a child who succeeded in making mischief for an adult.
And then, Tsuan’s words made Kurumi realize for the first time.
I’m weighing that person with them now.
Choosing between love and friends, or love and sentiments.
Ah, this was vexing. Really. I haven’t even defeated the White Queen yet──
Immediately after thinking this, just about everything turned inside out.
A terrible chill as if understanding she made a fatal mistake. Forgetting about all of her troubles and the battle with Tsuan, she turned to face the sky.
“Tokisa──”
And just before Tsuan, who sensed the situation, called out her name, Kurumi flew into the sky.
◇
“I’ll get straight to the point. I don’t want Kurumin to go to the other world.”
Ariadne’s words were just about what Hibiki was expecting.
“Why? ……After all, what is my companion saying? Kurumi-san shows no mercy on her opponents, it’s difficult to say what will happen to a peculiar Dominion that has already said giving her complete support. Is she willing to burn down all of her influence against that talented person?”
Ariadne giggled at what Hibiki had said.
“You don’t say. Well, that’s almost correct though. ……Why do you think that the method to go the other world hasn’t been established yet?”
“That is……because the First Region Keter is blocked……”
Even Hibiki only heard the rumors. After meeting Kurumi, she tried several times to gather information, but she only obtained partial rumors and legends.
“Then, what do you suppose is blocking the First Region Keter in the first place?”
“……Like this so far…… Mu? So it is blocked after all? ……Are the Dominions the ones blocking it?”
Ariadne nodded at Hibiki’s question.
“There being a gate to the real world in the First Region Keter, I mean that is a fact known among some Dominions.”
“……What was that?”
Hibiki knitted her brows in suspicion.
Unintentionally, Ariadne expressed a slight smile. Even Hibiki, who was skillful at detecting a person’s complexion and emotions, had no clue about this part Ariadne kept hidden until now.
“It’s me and Maya who know this. And Haraka-chan makes three. None of the other Dominions, including living and dead, were told about this. We all took an oath. To protect this Neighboring World. To try and maintain the order of the Neighboring World.”
“……If there’s a gate to the real world, will it become impossible to maintain order?”
“Hibikin, do you remember anything before you arrived here?”
“No, nothing at all.”
“I know, right? In this Neighboring World, there are some Quasi-Spirits that remember and some that don’t. ……I don’t particularly think either one of them is good. What scares us is a child who wants to go over there.”
“……What’s wrong with that wish?”
“That wish isn’t bad. What’s bad is for the Reiryoku balance of the Neighboring World. Opening the gate in the First Region Keter means reconnecting with a world originally cut off from the Neighboring World.”
“Wouldn’t it just be connected?”
“If this Neighboring World is a tank full of water, the world beyond is like an empty tank. Alternatively, it can be described as the relationship between hot and cold water. Opening the gate and connecting means connecting a pump to the empty tank. Or you can think of it as mixing the hot and cold water.”
An empty tank would gladly suck up all the water.
If it’s a relationship between hot and cold water, the temperature of the warm water would drop no matter what.
And that was irreversible. What was lost wouldn’t return, the heat taken away would grow could.
“Uhh……did that happen already? Specifically. In other words, someone has returned to the other world using the gate……?”
“Hibikin has just been following Tokisaki Kurumi, so you clear-headedly think its fine. But that’s off.”
“I am not clear headed.”
“But, maybe you’ll get there with one more push. We all know of a phenomenon similar to what I just said, right?”
When asked that, Hibiki thought. The diffusion of Reiryoku phenomenon is said to occur when connected to the world beyond. Even if never opening the gate in the First Region Keter, when speaking of being connected to the other world──
“Spirit……!”
That’s right, the Compile. That is to say she’s heard that it is based on the emotions of the Spirits in the other world. That means that this was connected to the other world?
“That’s right. Whenever a Spirit comes here, it opens a hole on the other side. At that moment, Reiryoku is violently disturbed. Incidentally, it’s needless to say when a Spirit turns up here. The gate and regions, it would be like opening a door for them to come here and move as they please anytime.”
“This can’t be done anymore.”
Coming this way, it was difficult to imagine how arduous it would be to send even a single girl back.
“Although……they haven’t been attacking here for quite a while now. But even so, they continue to interfere with the Neighboring World in the form of the Compile.”
“How old is Ariadne-san?”
“Secret. ……So, we are never allowed to open the gate. Up till now, there were several QuasiSpirits who wanted to go to the other world, but all of them──”
“Were they……killed?”
“No, I used my Unsigned Angel <Taiintaiyounijuyonsetsuki> to treat their memories and emotions………I'm a Dominion, not a demon.”
“……Aah, I see. But, not understanding Kurumi-san……would be.”
“Simply, the difference in one’s strength is too intense. Also, I tried it while playing poker in the Seventh Region Netzach, but in the first place her ego was too strong for me tamper with her emotions.”
Ariadne scratched her head as if embarrassed.
“But that turned out for the best……if Kurumi-san had noticed, you may have been killed.”
“Yeah. I’ll need to take this to the grave……”
Ariadne’s body trembled. Perhaps she was scared while saying that.
“So……perhaps though. Are you thinking of tampering with me instead of Kurumi-san?”
With Ariadne’s power, it was feasible to the extent of manipulating someone like Hibiki. But it was unclear how effective that would be for Kurumi.
“No, no……that would mean my secret being exposed, and Kurumin killing me.”
“Yeah……that’s right, hehehe.”
“I’d be happy without my life being at stake. Well, anyway that’s that. I don’t know what would happen if Kurumin opens the gate in the First Region Keter……I just wanted to tell you this.”
“……Shouldn’t you tell this to Kurumi-san?”
Ariadne smiled. Hibiki thought that it was a strange and rarely-seen mature smile.
“That’s right. I just wanted to convey this to you…….Hibikin is the one needed to convey this.”
“……”
“Hey, Hibikin. Kurumin……Tokisaki Kurumi is trying to reach the other world even if it means destroying the Neighboring World……right?”
Hibiki was silent for a while.
Hibiki wondered to herself as she thought about this. Around the time of their encounter in the Tenth Region Malkuth, she could definitely say this was true.
For her, to that extent──the boy burned in that memory was that important.
But, even if she was a nightmare, she wasn’t a demon that relished killing. If she knew that the Neighboring World would be destroyed, perhaps Kurumi would.
“Our ideal would be for the White Queen to be defeated and for Kurumin to set out for the other world. On top of that, with there no harm done to the Neighboring World. I want to feel like that, but……”
……Likewise, Hibiki thought that would be a nice ending.
If so, they would laugh and say goodbye. There won’t be any grudges, sadness, or grief, only a refreshing feeling.
She can even afford to add the words of hoping to meet again someday.
But if it didn’t have to be like that.
“Kurumi-san is──”
For us, no would she remain for me……?
“You don’t need to think about that question anymore.”
The air had frozen in place.
As Hibiki and Ariadne turned to the direction of the voice, there was an Empty standing there.
Pure white dress, pure white hair, she was like a swaying ghost with no sense of focus.
“<Taiintaiyounijuyonsetsuki>!”
Restraining the Empty’s body, the silver threads glistened. However, the light of a blade, which surpassed the glistening silver, slashed through the threads easily.
“Wha……”
Hibiki let out her voice in astonishment. The Empty didn’t cut the threads. From the Empty’s body──an arm appeared from her abdomen and sliced it with a saber.
And worst of all, Hibiki remembered seeing that arm and saber before.
“No way──”
Ariadne shook her head as if not wanting to believe this.
“I, we, are the Spirit that governs space. As long as these girls are near──”
The Empty’s body cracked. Or perhaps it should be described as opened rather than cracked. From the chest to the abdomen, there was a crackling noise as it broke open like a door.
The fallen Empty disappeared with a happy expression, leaving behind only the queen.
Established as Tokisaki Kurumi’s opposite, the worst had appeared.
“I will appear anywhere. Didn’t you learn that in the Sixth Region Tiphereth? Ariadne Foxrot?”
“……What on earth……so it’s meaningless to ask.”
Ariadne glanced at Hibiki, giving the hand signal to retreat.
“──Oh, how perceptive. Did you think you are what I’m looking for?”
“I can kill you here and now.”
Ariadne spoke slowly, slowly and carefully while letting her threads crawl into the ground. Sleepy eyes, small body, weak eyes, a fragile Astral Dress and Unsigned Angel, there were no shortage of factors to underestimate Ariadne with.
Usually, Ariadne would take advantage of that negligence to bring down the killing blow, but──
“Please rest assured, Ariadne Foxrot. I recognize your power. I’m treating it with contempt after recognizing it.”
With an unpleasant grin, Ariadne’s expression turned harsh.
“Stop screwing around……!”
Enough traps had been set. She operated <Taiintaiyounijuyonsetsuki> to bind her in single gulp. But shortly afterwards, she realized she fell for her provocation.
“The Libra Bullet < Moznaim>.”
She was shot. Comparable to Kurumi──no, a quick draw at a faster speed than Kurumi.
The next moment, Ariadne was left confused. Her Unsigned Angel was binding herself with enough strength to kill.
“Wha, ah……!?”
It was a look of not being able to believe the current circumstances that had happened to herself. Looking back calmly, the Queen had just exchanged their position coordinates. Some of the Queen’s abilities had already been known, including this Libra Bullet <Moznaim>.
If they had finished reading and considering this, they could have taken a counter-measure.
However, there was panic over the Queen’s sudden appearance. As Hibiki was useless in terms of combat, a frustration was born from the despair of being the only other person present.
……No, it was the Queen’s attitude that had caused this frustration.
“As I expected. You Dominions lack experience in combat. Not enough at all. You may defeat one or two of my chess pieces, but you can’t defeat me. You are 1000 years too early for that.”
The muzzle was thrusted forward as it was impossible to dodge.
“……”
Hibiki was silent. The expression of the White Queen made it clear that she wasn’t intending to let her escape. Ariadne’s state was unknown, but she was probably still alive. But, it seemed impossible for her to continue fighting immediately now.
In other words, Higoromo Hibiki had to face the Queen alone.
There was nothing she could do. There was no possibility of Hibiki defeating the Queen.
“I’ll obtain your soul.”
The Queen gently placed her finger on her forehead. Hibiki judged that her heartbeat was loudly pulsating.
“Do you think you will be killed?”
“No, probably something worse than being killed.”
As Hibiki said that, the Queen’s rounded her eyes.
“I see. That’s good. This is what Queen wants. General and Lady deem it unnecessary though.” Hibiki’s thoughts felt cold. Realistically, she was prepared for a day like this. She was like a lock that latched onto Tokisaki Kurumi’s ankle. Anyone that was clever would search for the lock restraining Kurumi. But whether or not that lock could actually restrain Kurumi……was still unknown.
The Queen may be considering and looking at her as a former Empty. Of course, it was decided to think about the worst.
“You have options. One is life, the other is death. Please give me an answer that would make me want to be merciful. Now, which one is better?”
Hibiki gulped. This was the first perilous hurdle. What was required was nobility and servility.
“…………”
Upon hearing Hibiki’s reply, the Queen nodded with satisfaction.
“Who do you want? It’s a precious choice to be made. Rook, Bishop, Knight.”
Now, it was time to start the crucial moment. Whoever was chosen, whatever she became, Hibiki must firmly keep her consciousness.
──I believe, Kurumi-san.
──And I believe. I
Higoromo Hibiki believes in Tokisaki Kurumi and fought so far as such. But from here on out, she had to undergo another important battle.
An unavoidable battle for all humans, at any time and any place.
A conflict of the self.
◇
Immediately after the person that was Higoromo Hibiki was transferred, Tokisaki Kurumi pointed her gun at the White Queen.
“White Queen……!!”
To those words, to that voice, to that scream.
Finally, “she” opened her mouth.
“Hello. It’s been a long time, Kurumi-san.”
“……!”
A gentle voice that was once heard before. Rather than be triggered, Kurumi fell into a complete blank state of thought.
The White Queen took her saber and pierced a nearby Empty to gently open the gate.
“It can’t be stopped anymore, it won’t be stopped. The collapse of the Neighboring World, everything will disappear just like the remnants of a dream. But it can’t be helped. So what’s wrong, Kurumi-san?”
Kurumi’s heart creaked upon hearing the Queen. The uncomfortable feeling of a foreign element rushing forward, Kurumi’s thoughts couldn’t quite be organized. It was strange. The White Queen’s composed attitude, her words, all of it was strange…….and there was something even more strange within that.
A sudden realization.
Voice.
Her voice is strange.
That’s right, the discomfort that was always felt from the White Queen. That wasn’t her voice……!
A calm voice that made her feel nostalgic.
Under the morning sunshine, voice heard close enough to touch her shoulders.
A voice heard in a room full of laughter.
A voice heard in a classroom during sunset.
A voice that lingered in her ear after listening to a long phone call at night.
Beautiful, elegant, light and easy, it was a voice that she had longed for.
And so, I──it was a voice that had been lost (killed).
“Why……”
With each question, the mystery kept piling up. However, the White Queen warded it off with a clear laugh.
The feeling of the world turning over on its head, like everything she had believed in had suddenly disappeared.
Hatred for her, the sense of mission against her, fighting against her, it all easily changed into something different.
Confusion……the fear of facing something she didn’t understand.
Nevertheless, the White Queen calmly smiled. To do so, as always just like before. She was the inverted clone of Tokisaki Kurumi──but that wasn’t all. What was there was an existence even more involved at the core of Tokisaki Kurumi.
The Queen informed them.
“Now we’ll attack the Second Region Chokmah. It seems there is what is to be sought after. So, as Ariadne-san is pretending to be asleep, call upon the Dominions of each region. It’ll be amusing to see who the victor will be.”
“…….”
Ariadne remained silent.
“Wait……”
“I won’t wait anymore. I have the right to go back to the other world. Isn't that right?”
The Queen disappeared, and the Empty left behind was also annihilated at that instant.
What remained were Ariadne, who had collapsed, and Kagarike Haraka and Tsuan who came chasing after her.
And completely stunned──Tokisaki Kurumi had forgotten to even aim with her gun.
A person who was deeply connected with Tokisaki Kurumi as both a Spirit and human.
“Why……Sawa-san!”
The voice of the White Queen was definitely-──the gentle voice of the girl who had been killed by Kurumi, standing at the turning point where Tokisaki Kurumi abandoned her humanity.
Higoromo Hibiki had been taken away and Kurumi’s sense of mission had shattered.
Losing everything, all sense of will having been broken, there was only confusion and sorrow lingering in her chest.
In this tempest of thoughts, there was only one thing Tokisaki Kurumi understood.
──If she didn’t stand up now, no one will save her.
That alone was an unquestionable truth and the most difficult adventure for her right now.
Thus as the Dominions gathered, the Queen prepared a triumphant return to the world beyond.
The end of all had begun.
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