Chapter 78

Heroine Separation Event (Been really busy with university stuff. If things go as planned, then everything should settle in April 16, unl

Heroine Separation Event

(Been really busy with university stuff. If things go as planned, then everything should settle in April 16, unless I failed my exams.)

(author: Since I'm a weak otaku, short ones are more helpful)

──Ah, that space around there looks suspicious.

“I see! Take this!”

Using the supernatural ability, "Search," I spotted a subtly distorted space within this pure white world, and when I pointed it out like a digging dog, and without hesitation, En immediately brandished his sword of fire and struck it down.

Wow, what quick judgement! I was surprised that he trusted me without any suspicion, but it just meant I had established a favorable relationship of mutual trust, which was kind of moving. I may be a mysterious character, but it makes me happy to be trusted by my favorite.

Looking back, ever since coming to this world, I’ve only done things that are convenient for them.

Who was it who suggestively asked, “Do I really look like such a convenient woman?” …It was me.

Hmm… As the cool and mysterious original protagonist, Eight-chan, it’s already this late, but maybe I’ve become a little too close to them? But there’s no helping it now.

If this were normal times, I would have just dropped a few roundabout hints, but right now, more than anything, Mea-chan’s life is at stake. The rescue has to be as fast as possible.

“Mea!!”

En, having physically shattered the suspicious space, single-mindedly dove straight into the hole.

Just as you'd expect from the hero I’ve approved. He’s a guy whose body moves before he thinks. His fearless actions have a speed the calm, cool, and collected me could never achieve.

And the result of his dive was a bingo.

Beyond the hole we jumped into was the silver-haired, heterochromatic-eyed little sister character──Mea-chan. Ah, Chesed’s also with her. And Charon-sama is also here.

Charon-sama is also here.

…

!?!?!???

Why are you here!?

Seeing her looking at En and Mea-chan embracing each other with a know-it-all look, I couldn’t help but ask. For the first time in a while, I felt just like Beauty-san. (tl note: from Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo)

I mean, there was no way I could have predicted that… She, the observer of this world herself, intervening at such a crucial setting?

Sure, I’ve read several fanfictions where the author appears in their own work. It’s not uncommon for an original protagonist’s name to be the author’s pen name. If anything, I actually find the masculine attitude of not hiding their self-insert whatsoever to be refreshing.

Incidentally, authors making an appearance in their own stories also happens in commercial works, especially gag manga, like in that movie about a certain five-year-old who summons storms*. In the old days, the original author would appear in the story and get hit by Hiroshi like it was a regular event. I really loved those scenes. My personal favorite is The Adult Empire Strikes Back, but the one that made me laugh the most was Pursuit of the Balls of Darkness. The later works are interesting too of course, but the early ones are all masterpieces in their own way, so they can be enjoyed even as an adult. My friends and I used to hold screening at my house during summer vacation. Ah, good times. (tl note: Crayon Shin-chan)

…That said, these kinds of meta, author advent scenes are of course only interesting when the author himself has enough name recognition. Basically, it’s a gag that only works when audience goes, “Why is the author here!?” while laughing their heads off.

And so, the difficult thing when an amateur makes the author appear in their own web novel is that it usually doesn’t come across well to anyone except the people the author is close to or the author themself.

In that sense, it’s sad that author advent jokes tend to be treated as cringy jokes that unnecessarily ruins the setting of the story, but… well, this world is clearly reality, and while Charon-sama is a goddess-like person, she’s also a native of this world, burdened with the important role of being the “Will of the World Tree.”

Therefore, even if she were to suddenly appear in front of the characters of the original work, that in itself wouldn't be enough to break the setting of the world.

…No, support-wise, she has such a grand setting that it would feel out of place if she didn’t make an appearance. I did think, “Why is she here?” but there’s nothing strange in terms of the world setting. I was surprised, though. Of course I was surprised!

Way to go, Charon-sama... She’s walking that fine line of showing up herself and not even making the situation difficult. As expected of the goddess-like person I believe in.

As I looked at her with respect, she spoke to me briefly, saying that she was pressed for time.

She told me that this world was Sefira’s domain──that is, a spiritual world-like space she had created.

I had thought it looked familiar, and it turns out this white world was the same space where I had met her before. Which means this wasn’t the world of Mea-chan’s heart after all. So my deduction was a miss.

Faced with the intervention of Charon-sama, who was clad in the aura of a higher being, I felt a twinge of “that’s breaking the rules…” but at the same time, a feeling of gratitude. Thank you!

According to her, this time, this strange space was being used as a temporary shelter to protect Mea-chan’s heart which was about to break. How kind.

『So you’re going to be in my way to the end… Charon.』

Yeah.

Even though I’ve been hearing Keter’s voice for a while, he couldn’t seem to come in, which must have been thanks to her. The voice coming from outside sounded infuriated, practically dripping with curses.

I internally lauded her quick thinking, which managed to both harass the final boss and rescue the heroine at the same time. As expected of Charon-sama, as expected of Charo!

『It’s nothing special.』

Whoa, my goddess-like person… is too humble…? I’ll revere this goddess my whole life.

『I love you too.』

…Cool and frank ones are really nice, aren’t they?

I like tsundere kids like my sister and Malkuth, too, but I can equally support characters with the opposite type.

Well, the goddess-like Charon-sama is my benefactor and object of worship, not the main heroine, so I’ll stop singing her praises here.

『Eight, open the ‘Book of Knowledge.’ Now is the time to obtain the Mugenkou into your hand.』

Now then, this is a personally given original protagonist order from her. In that case, I have no choice but to obey.

But the “Book of Knowledge” she mentioned, is referring to my “Phantom Thief Notebook,” right? So that’s what it was called… I was astonished at learning this revelation, but calling it a notebook feels more right than calling it a book, so I’ll keep calling it by the name I gave it.

──And with Phantom Thief Notebook’s power, I’m going to steal this “Mugenkou” or whatever from Mea-chan──is what you’re telling me, right?

I guess she took the trouble to arrive just to tell me that, but… I was already planning to do it before she told me.

Because that’s the quickest way to resolve this whole situation.

Keter is trying to sacrifice Mea-chan simply because she’s this special being called the “Mugenkou,” so if I steal that from her and she’s no longer special, there’d be no reason to go after her anymore.

──You’re not the kind of child who would hurt someone for no reason… right? Keter──

…Hm? What is it?

Ahh, if I steal the knowledge of “Mugenkou” from her, then there’s a risk that I’ll end up becoming the one with value as a sacrifice in her place. In that case, I would become the one Keter would target.

As for that… well, I’ll manage somehow. Because I’m an original protagonist! I won’t lose even to Keter.

Of course, there’s the concern of whether my “Phantom Thief Notebook,” which is only an ability to steal supernatural abilities, can really steal the “Mugenkou,” something I don’t understand very well, so conveniently.

However, since Charon-sama personally ordered it, it’ll probably be fine. With the authorization of such a wonderful person, I was able to confidently carry out the plan I’d been working out up to this point.

So it’ll be okay, Mea.

“Eight…!?”

“It’s fine. This time will turn out well too.”

By devoting all the remaining pages, I rapidly wrote down an overview of Mea-chan, and then, I touched her body to satisfy the final activation condition of the “Phantom Thief Notebook.”

Sensing my intention, she opened her eyes wide and tried to pull away from my hand with an anxious expression.

“No…! If you do that, then you’ll…!”

“It’s okay, Mea. Leave the rest to the pro. You’re not a king’s sacrifice nor a fairy child──this time, you’ll live as just a single human being.”

“…!”

“Together with a family that helps one another.”

Since all the pages were filled in, failure absolutely wasn’t an option this time, so I held on tightly so I don’t let go of the hand I touched.

Mea-chan was small, so I was able to hug her tight and fix her in place, completely wrapping around her like this. Hugging a little girl against her will would unmistakably be a sexual harassment case someone would report if it was me in my previous life, but since Eight-chan is a beautiful girl, the scene actually looks lovely, so please forgive me. Fufun, precious is justice, ladies and gentlemen.

En was perplexed as he saw me like that. Charon-sama nodded with a docile expression. And──

『Stop it… Are you planning to shoulder it all again…?』

Keter’s voice, which was resounding in my head, was trembling and seemed to be extremely panicked.

Yep, seems like this action isn’t very amusing for. As expected of Charon-sama’s instruction.

But I won’t stop. I won’t be stopped.

Fuhaha! I feel fantastic.

Hey, how does it feel? How does it feel too have the sacrifice you were about to feast on snatched away right before your eyes?

Damn straight… This was the moment of supreme bliss as an original protagonist──an NDK* on the final boss. (tl note: used to further harass people who have suffered badly. The japanese equivalent of “u mad bro?”)

This is starting to get kind of fun, so I should leave behind a wise remark here.

“I’m not shouldering it…”

I’m not shouldering it… I’m engraving it into this heart──...ah… ngh!?

Ugh… I-it’s the second time, but… this really hurts like hell!

Just like with Adyeshach, since the target I’m stealing is a different power from supernatural abilities, the moment I activated my ability, intense pain shot through my entire body.

But I’m okay this time, I’m only screaming in my mind. I won’t show any shameful sight!

With Adyeshach, the pain hit me from somewhere completely unexpected, so I couldn’t bear it and writhed in pain. But this time, thanks to that experience, I was able to prepare myself properly.

That said, it’s more of a difference in attitude or mental preparedness, but… surprisingly, that kind of thing can’t be trifled with.

Just like how Death doesn’t come when you’re on guard, surprisingly endurable when you’re ready.

It does hurt, but knowing that the pain would settle with time made it not as agonizing as fighting against an illness... I guess turning past-life experiences into strength is another advantage unique to reincarnated original protagonists.

So unlike before, I managed not to give in to the pain and let out a sound of anguish. It hurt like hell, though.

Still, I had just enough composure to put on a calm face and smile at Mea-chan, who was still struggling to get away in my arms. It hurt like hell, though!

“I’ll engrave it into this heart… the proof that I am me.”

『──!』

Just as I felt that I was just moments away from stealing it, I finished saying my half-finished wise remark and wrapped things up with a sharp expression. I’m so cool! Yay!

…Let’s just keep it a secret that I’ve been feeling a little desperate. Ugh, I’m sweating cold. Crap, I might actually pass out.

But for Mea-chan, for Charon-sama, and to become the perfect cheat original protagonist, I’ll stick it out to the end! That sentiment turned up as spirit as Keter had his breath taken away.

『…Stop it already… Daat…』

Fu… I can make even the final boss speechless. I’m just that good.

With this, isn’t it okay to grandly call myself the “Perfect Cheat Protagonist”? What do you think, Charon-sama?

『…Indeed. You are the true Tuner I have been seeking… Thank you.』

Hehe, thank you.

To hear such acknowledgement from you makes enjoying this to the fullest totally worth it.

Having been able to fulfill her wish, I felt salvation as I fulfilled my role──

『…So it’s fine to rest. Truly, you’ve done so well.』

…Eh? What’s with that disturbing phrasing? That’s terrifying.

Those were the last words I heard in this white world.

In an instant──the entire white world was dyed black.

An enormous amount of darkness suddenly began overflowing from within the notebook, completely engulfing my body.

As I was losing consciousness, I thought I saw someone inside that darkness.

Someone who wasn’t En, Mea-chan, or Keter, not even Charon-sama.

『…I’m sorry, ────』

…Don’t make that face, me.

The “me” standing in the darkness seemed to call out my name from my previous life, apologizing with a sorrowful expression──that’s how it felt to me.

At that moment──the dragon of light, which had been rampaging and was in a complete frenzy, stopped moving.

Everyone who had been observing from the outside sensed that something must have happened within.

Did Akatsuki En, who had stormed inside, pull it off successfully? Or did some other irregularity occur…? All of them looked on with gazes of a mixture of anticipation and anxiety. And then, before their eyes, the body of the dragon of light burst open and vanished.

The sight of remnants of light that had taken the shape of the enormous dragon fluttering down like snow was truly mystical and beautiful.

『Hmm… this is…』

“Did En do it…?”

The disappearance of the light dragon meant that some change must have occurred within Mea, the one who had brought it forth.

One of the people witnessing that sight was Rikidou Chouta, who had once fallen into a Burst state himself and stopped his rampage with his own hands.

Seeing what was unfolding before him, he held a wishful thinking, “Maybe Mea, like I did when Eight called out to me, heard En’s words and came back and became able to control her Burst state.”

However…

『Hmm… it seems he did it. Our king, that is.』

“!?”

It was Archangel of Severity Gevurah who first understood the situation, muttering while stroking his white beard.

In next moment, Chouta’s eyes widened at the figure that emerged from the light.

The one who appeared from the light was not the leader of the Savers──but a white archangel with ten wings spread wide, Keter.

And that wasn’t all.

In his arms, he was carrying a young girl.

The one lying limply and unconscious in his arms, her eyes closed as if a sleeping princess, was──

“Nee-chan!”

T.P. Eight Olishua.

The girl Rikidou Chouta had idolized like an older sister ever since the incident at the stadium.

“That bastard…!”

Before he could think about it deeply, his body had already moved.

It was not definite whether the impulse was born out of anger, but he threw himself straight toward Keter, who was flying while holding Eight.

However, the tip of his axe of ice that was supposed to swing down on Keter stopped moving, as if obstructed by an invisible wall.

But it hadn’t been blocked.

Chouta’s body itself didn’t move as he had desired it would.

“…!?”

Keter did nothing more than meet his gaze and glare at him.

That was all──the moment he was glared at by those diamond-like eyes, Chouta’s body stiffened up, like a frog being stared at by a snake.

Of course, it wasn’t fear. It was more physical, a sensation as though all the muscles in his body had been paralyzed.

『Oh… it’s been a while since he used “King’s Intimidation.” One of the seven “Royal Authorities” that no matter how strong-willed one may be, if they meet his gaze, they cannot defy him. It’s terrifying power, no matter how many times I see it.』

As Gevurah explained in Keter’s place, Chouta, unable to even move the muscles of his throat, was speechless in two senses of the word, thinking, “What the hell, that’s cheating…!”

Fighting him this far, he realized that Gevurah seemed to have a character that was fond of talking. Just as the image of the word “Severity” suggested, he apparently had a nature for sermons and lectures as a hobby.

And here he was, going on lengthily about a story of the King in a place where no one had asked him to.

『Indeed, it is written in the Wisdom of Kabbalah as well… There is no being who can be struck by that power and still point their blade toward the King, save for a primordial archangel.

To be frank, it was long ago. When the King was still a child… unable to control his overwhelming power, the King of that time would unconsciously end up ‘intimidating’ those around him indiscriminately, and so, it is said that was unable to make eye contact with anyone. The only one who could meet the young King’s eyes and talk with him properly was the Archangel of Knowledge, the sole being equal in standing to the King among the primordial archangels… Yes, the strongest and finest archangel currently being carried by the King, Daa──』

『Gevurah, I am returning to Sefira. I leave this to you.』

『As you command.』

His story about the King, which seemed to go on forever, was interrupted by the King’s own words.

There was a hint of disappointment in the old man’s eyes, but his stance held absolutely no openings, vigilantly fixing his eyes on Chouta, who still couldn’t move properly.

With a few words to say to him, Keter ascended further, setting his course toward the World Tree, Sefira, the center of this world.

Wait! Don’t run away!──As if acting in place of the struggling Chouta’s wish, a gale passed by from the edge of his vision.

“You bastard… where do you think you’re taking Eight?!”

The one pursuing Keter with tremendous speed was the fastest warrior among the Savers, Kazaoka Tsubasa.

The King of the Ten Archangels of Sefirot who had come to devour Mea was, for some reason, carrying Eight and trying to flee the scene. Chasing after such a unprincipled man, Tsubasa’s expression was so dreadful that Chouta had never seen him this enraged before.

But Chouta felt the same.

“...Go get him, Tsubasa!!”

『Hm? You’ve recovered already? Impressive.』

When Keter left the scene and Chouta became able to move his body from the “King’s Intimidation,” he shouted and pushed Tsubasa forward.

With his Fairy Burst activated and a storm coiling around his body, Tsubasa’s speed was such that his flight ability was not at all inferior when compared the Ten Archangels of Sefirot.

He flew with his prided speed, closing the distance between himself and Keter in one breath.

But… after glancing at the scene, Gevurah spoke heartlessly.

『It’s pointless. With your power, even if you can compete with us, you won’t be able to get through to the King.』

“Wha…”

As Tsubasa was hot on Keter’s heels and shouted for him to return Eight, Keter turned around in irritation and disappointingly blew Tsubasa away with a single swing of his staff. As if dealing with a small insect.

Chouta was a martial arts master, so could sense a glimpse of the true power behind that swing.

Even with his extreme speed, Kazaoka Tsubasa’s defensive and evasive movements were unable to keep up. It was an overwhelmingly devastating sight.

『Leave this world and yours to the King. If you look at the long term, it won’t be such a bad thing for humanity either.』

“…If you live for too long, you start saying optimistic things. Just today, your evaluation’s gone down the drain. Well, I’ll forgive Hod for helping En, and Malkuth who looks so dejected over there.”

『Hmm, that’s unfortunate. Even though things may appear this way, I actually think quite highly of you all.』

“Doesn’t matter if that doesn’t get through.” [Chouta]

Keter was no longer in sight.

But it was clear he’d gone toward the World Tree, Sefira. That was where they’d all originally planned to go. If they knew the destination, they could pursue him.

Honestly, Chouta wanted to chase after him right away, but the Archangel of Severity standing in his way wasn’t going to allow him to do that.

──Then I’ll beat this guy and chase after them! I’ll take Nee-chan back and sock that bastard!

To put it bluntly, Chouta’s anger was now at its peak since arriving in this world.

Perhaps it was proof of his growth having overcome numerous difficulties that he didn’t act foolishly in anger, but if you were to ask if he was calm, then the answer would undoubtably be no.

『...Hoh? How splendid… I can see that even in the midst of such intense rage, your nerves remain sharpened. It’s admirable how you’ve grown this much in such a short time. No wonder that archangel put her trust in you.』

“Shut up, old man!”

He didn’t know what had happened inside that dragon of light. But that was something he could just ask En and Mea, who had finally appeared.

However, he didn’t need to ask to know what he had to do.

With burning fighting spirit and freezing power in his hands, Rikidou Chouta took part in life-or-death struggle.

(author: Next episode will be about a certain worldline)

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