Chapter 11

The one who interrupts the event just before the final battle

Now, to the other world.

 

En and the others, having completed their preparations for departure, gathered on the rooftop of the Savers headquarters.

 

In the dawn sky, they could see the gate to the swirling otherworld, Fairy World. The gate, about 50 meters in diameter, through which the angel Chokmah had passed, was far larger than any gate discovered before and continued to hover in the sky.

 

However, it was undeniable that the gate was slowly shrinking over time. Its contraction speed had increased since last night, and if they missed today, it might close completely.

 

“It’s finally time.”

 

“Yeah…”

 

Even Chouta Rikidou, who was usually full of energy, couldn’t hide his nervousness at this moment. Tsubasa Kazaoka was the same, though he occasionally cast watchful glances around as if on guard for something.

 

Many members of the Savers had volunteered to go to the other world.

 

However, as their guide Mea explained, only five people could pass through the gate.

 

Normally, humans couldn’t travel through the gate. The hyperspace that connected the gate to Fairy World defied all physical laws of the Earth, and any human who entered it without protection would suffocate, and their limbs would be torn apart. While research was ongoing, they were still in the trial-and-error stage, much like the early days of humanity's space exploration.

 

But now, Mea held the power of Holy Beast Chesed.

 

By unleashing that power, Mea could create a barrier of light, protecting those near her from the dangers of hyperspace. This was the unique power of the holy beasts, allowing them to cross through the gate from the other world to this one.

 

However, the number of people Mea could protect was limited, and only five could be guaranteed safety. That was why the team chosen to enter—the escort squad for the ambassador—had been carefully selected from the volunteers.

 

The selected members were Mea, En Akatsuki, Chouta Rikidou, Tsubasa Kazaoka, and Commander Akihiro Mitsui.

 

They exchanged farewells with the large crowd that had come to see them off. Some shook hands, others bumped fists, and some embraced.

 

“Be careful, Mea-chan. Your place is here, so you must come back…”

 

“…Yeah. Mea’s off, onee-chan.”

 

As Mea left, she exchanged a loving embrace with Mitsui Akari, who stayed behind.

 

Many onlookers shed tears at the sight. But everyone believed that this wasn’t a final farewell.

 

“Akari…”

 

“Papa, you better come back. Don’t leave me alone, okay?”

 

“I promise. I have no intention of dying here. I swear to protect Mea and bring everyone back.”

 

Akihiro embraced his daughter, the one he would leave behind on Earth.

 

Even though they were filled with a mix of trust and worry, no one doubted the mission’s success.

 

After all, the saviors had always overcome every challenge up until now. (tl note: If it’s in katakana, I’ll translate it as saver, and saviour if it’s in kanji)

 

No matter how daunting the obstacles that awaited them.

 

“…Akari.”

 

“En…”

 

Akari knew the heroes—the men of Savers.

 

And the men of Savers knew whom they were fighting for. It was because they had something to protect that they had been able to fight this far.

 

Those who sent off, and those being sent.

 

Akari Mitsui and En Akatsuki.

 

Until this moment, they had kept a certain distance, harboring complicated emotions. But now, they faced each other one last time.

 

“…”

 

“…Ah.”

 

After a few beats of silence, En moved first.

 

Without a word, he embraced Akari. Surprised at first, Akari soon returned the embrace.

 

They had been by each other's side since childhood, understanding one another better than anyone else.

 

En Akatsuki, who had always protected Akari's place in the world through his battles, was a man who had no supernatural ability in this supernatural society—a social outcast.

 

An awkward man who, in the past, could only express his feelings through fighting.

 

The one place En could return to… That was Akari, who had always protected his heart, even when he was consumed by hatred and ready to throw everything away.

 

That’s why he loved her more than anyone.

 

“When I come back, there’s something I want to say to you.”

 

“…Okay.”

 

“I’ll keep protecting your place in the world. So…”

 

“…Go on, En. I think I feel the same way… so don’t keep me waiting too long, okay?”

 

“Yeah, I got it.”

 

They smiled at each other and parted, not in farewell but in promise of reunion.

 

Everyone watched the two with warm smiles, amused at how things had finally settled between them.

 

"Good grief." [Tsubasa]

 

"Tch, acting all cool..." [Chouta]

 

Meanwhile, Akihiro, seeing the blush on his daughter's face, likely felt something as well. However, understanding her feelings and knowing En’s character well, he, who even thought of him as a son, had nothing particular to say.

 

But it goes without saying that his determination to succeed in the mission and return safely grew even stronger.

 

After clearing his throat, he shifted into his role as the commander of the Savers.

 

"Alright, let’s move out. Mea-kun, we’re counting on you."

 

"Sniff... okay."

 

Mea, who thought of both of them as her older sister and brother, nodded through her tears at their progress. Her odd eyes shone with firm resolve as she placed a hand on her chest and released a golden light.

 

"Chesed… lend me your strength."

 

At that moment, a giant bird of light appeared above Mea with a high-pitched cry. It was about 10 meters long.

 

The bird spread its wings wide and lay down in front of the group, awaiting the five to board at Mea’s command.

 

Mea had unleashed the power of the angel Chesed within her, summoning the giant bird of light, an energy-based creation.

 

This was their vehicle to reach the sky gate: the Spirit Bird of Light, Lightning Garuda.

 

"It looks familiar, after all."

 

"…Aah."

 

Though much larger due to the number of riders it could carry, its appearance reminded them of the Dark Phoenix they had ridden recently. Even though they had already confirmed Mea’s abilities the previous day in preparation for entering the otherworld, seeing it again brought En and Tsubasa closer to confirming their suspicions.

 

And then, at that moment, an image of the girl with the silk hat flashed in their minds.

 

Just as the five savers were about to board the Lightning Garuda, the sound of a light and lively stringed instrument echoed across the Savers' rooftop.

 

"!?"

 

"This music is…"

 

The sound that they suddenly heard was that of a harp being played.

 

The tune was an upbeat one, as if to inspire warriors heading into battle. The carefree Chouta and some of the female operators assumed it was someone they knew coming to cheer them on.

 

However, the adults of the Savers, as well as En and Tsubasa, immediately dismissed that possibility the moment they heard the music. They were already as alert as if they were on a battlefield, directing their attention toward the source of the sound.

 

"…She’s here."

 

The performer soon revealed herself in front of the now-silent group.

 

A girl wearing a black silk hat adorned with a white ribbon, dressed in a tailcoat with a royal blue cape. As she approached, her long black skirt swayed, and her emerald green eyes glinted as she spoke.

 

"So, you’ve chosen that future after all…"

 

She stopped plucking the harp, and silence fell over the scene as the girl lowered her eyes in sadness.

 

Among the crowd that had gathered to see off the saviors, there were many police officers. Though they were startled, they prepared themselves to fulfill their duty and apprehend her at any moment. However, Commander Akihiro stopped them with a gesture of his right hand.

 

"You five going to Fairy World… that future cannot become true hope."

 

She glanced at the Lightning Garuda Mea had summoned, then stopped and bowed gracefully.

 

It was a performance worthy of applause, yet rather than interest in her music, the group was more puzzled by her sudden appearance.

 

"T.P. Eight Olishua… why are you here?"

 

"Fufu…"

 

The Supernatural Abilities Phantom Thief, T.P. Eight Olishua. A supernatural ability user who could steal others’ abilities and use them as her own.

 

Though less than a month had passed, she had already stolen abilities from dozens of rare supernatural ability users and was a wanted criminal.

 

Her purpose, aside from stealing abilities, was unknown. No one knew of her background before becoming a phantom thief, nor where she lived. She was a charismatic and fearless criminal, constantly eluding the police’s investigative network and effortlessly evading even the strongest countermeasures against teleportation.

 

The girl, who looked no older than a teenager, wore a seductive smile as she looked Commander Akihiro Mitsui in the eye and spoke.

 

"Akihiro Mitsui, I’m here to stop you."

 

"What…?"

 

Akihiro furrowed his brows and looked down at Eight with a suspicious gaze.

 

His well-trained body, towering over 180 centimeters, stood in stark contrast to the petite girl who was barely 160 centimeters tall. The aura they exuded was polar opposites.

 

However, the girl, who seemed as fragile as moonlight, wasn’t the least bit fazed by his quiet intensity. She calmly stated her intentions.

 

"I’m fine with those four going to Fairy World. But if you go… you’ll die. You’ll be judged and killed by Keter, the king of the Ten Archangels of Sefirot."

 

"…!"

 

Her words, spoken without hesitation and with the certainty of a prophet, sent a ripple of shock through the group. Akihiro’s daughter, Akari, had a look of deep unease in her eyes.

 

Akihiro closed his eyes, exhaled softly, and, with a deep breath to calm himself, responded.

 

"I know that I’m lacking in power compared to them. But as the commander of the Savers, I can’t just let them go alone."

 

Akihiro was painfully aware of how dangerous it was for only five people to invade the holy beasts' stronghold, especially after witnessing Chokmah's strength, which had toyed with the Savers' aces singlehandedly. He understood that if something went wrong, he would likely be the first to fall, being the weakest of the five.

 

But it was precisely because he understood this that Akihiro Mitsui, as a man, had decided to go himself—even if it meant facing strong opposition from his daughters Akari and Mea, as well as his subordinates, the night before.

 

"That’s…"

 

"’My responsibility as an adult,’ is what you were about to say, right?"

 

"…!"

 

Before he could finish speaking, the phantom thief stole the words from his mouth.

 

She calmly refuted his sentiments.

 

"Even if you lack power, you have an exceptional intellect. Perhaps in this world, you could lead them with that ability. But even someone like you... you're still a human of this world. The Fairy World is an unknown territory for you. Do you really think you can utilize your talents in the domain ruled by angels?"

 

Her argument was sound.

 

The Fairy World, home to the holy beasts, was completely uncharted territory. Given that it was their domain, no matter how brilliant a mind he had, it was likely he'd be at a disadvantage. In that case, the most reliable asset would be people like En, who had the power to defend themselves.

 

Her words suggested that the experience and knowledge Akihiro had gained as the Savers' commander would be useless there, and he couldn’t confidently deny it.

 

But who else could go?

 

Who else would act as a shield for these brave young people and open the path to dialogue? Akihiro, unwavering in his resolve, rebutted her.

 

"What are you trying to say? At this point, what—"

 

The phantom thief girl, sensing his desperate determination, looked at him with sad eyes and replied.

 

"I came to ask you for a favor."

 

"A favor, you say?"

 

Then, the thief girl, T.P. Eight Olishua, revealed the reason for her appearance.

 

"Take me… in your place."

 

Akihiro stared at the girl, as if to determine that what Kazaoka Tsubasa had feared would happen had happened.

Author's note: Mastering the bgm is the result of practicing in the music room

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