◆ ◆ ◆
“Humans are creatures without value. Lend me your strength, Philly, to scour such vermin from this world.”
Ah. That dream of the past again...
During my childhood, my mother and I lived a quiet life in a forest slightly removed from town—a place where people seldom ventured. Everyone viewed us with a sense of dread and awe. My mother would tell me until she was blue in the face never to approach the town.
But after losing her at such a young age, I was so desperate to fill the void of my grief that I broke her command and went there anyway.
What awaited me was a storm of vitriol from the townspeople.
“Don’t come any closer, you demon! Do you plan to make us your puppets?!”
“N-no...! I’m not a demon. I just... I just want to be friends!”
“As if we’d believe you! Your grandmother was the same, and so was your mother! You’re no different!”
“That’s not true! If you’re saying my grandmother and mother manipulated everyone, then why do you all hate us so much? Isn’t that proof you aren’t being manipulated?!”
“Guh...! S-shut up, shut up!”
“Hey, don’t talk to her any more than that! She’ll get inside your head!”
I tried desperately to convey that I was harmless, but the townspeople refused to listen.
“...Why? I’m human... I’m not... a demon...”
There was no one to hear my lament, and no one to stand by me in my sorrow.
◆
Some time later...
The townspeople came to my house, weapons in hand.
“You demon! How dare you... How dare you do that to the mayor!”
As soon as he burst through the door, a man screamed and struck me. I heard later that the mayor had been killed by someone the day before they stormed my home. They had convinced themselves that I was the culprit. It was irrationality beyond measure.
Without understanding why, I was subjected to a one-sided assault of punches and kicks. At the time, I truly thought I was going to die.
But at the same moment, a thought occurred to me.
Aren’t you the ones who are actually demons?
They inflicted violence based on nothing but their own assumptions, never once doubting the righteousness of their actions. And the majority of that mob were just beasts with no will of their own, merely following a leader. It was an insult to humanity to even call them human.
Both the people who incite beasts for their own convenience and the beasts who follow without thought—they are all equally vermin, just as the voice that speaks to me from time to time says.
After I survived that ordeal, I traveled to many places. I saw and heard many things. And the conclusion I reached was that humans are beyond salvation—myself included.
That was why I answered the call.
To bring about the extinction of humanity.
◇
I must have dozed off while watching the streets of Kyokutou from a room in the Asagiri House, lulled by the warm breeze drifting through the window.
The sound of approaching footsteps jolted me awake.
“Phi—Lady Philly! It’s terrible!”
I turned my gaze toward the voice to see a girl in miko robes. Her raven-black hair swayed as she rushed in, her expression fraught with panic. Her name was Nagisa Asagiri. Despite being only fifteen, she was the head of the house that currently ruled Kyokutou. On top of that, she held the position of [Cyclamen Cult: Fifth Seat] and had been granted the alias “The Wraith” by Beria.
“What is all this fuss about? You received word from Rasetsu, I assume?”
We were scheduled to use Shift to reach a different part of Tsutrail, timed to coincide with Stieg’s group teleporting into the city. Nagisa acted as the relay for communications between Stieg and our group. I assumed she had come to me because it was time for his check-in, but her behavior was odd.
“Um, the attack on Tsutrail... it might be better if we wait!”
“...That again? The matter is decided. It isn’t something to be overturned by your personal feelings.”
“This has nothing to do with my feelings! I mean, it’s true I’m against the attack, but... N-no, that’s not it!”
“You’re being tedious. State your business.”
“Rasetsu-sama’s presence has vanished!”
I could hardly believe my ears. “...What did you say?”
“I-It’s not a lie! I can still sense The Incinerator and the Thunder Emperor. But Rasetsu-sama... he’s just gone!”
“You aren’t trying to deceive me, are you?”
I questioned Nagisa while exercising my [Perception Alteration] ability. Any words spoken under its influence would be the unadulterated truth.
“I-I’m not deceiving you! If I’m found out, the people my sister entrusted to me will be killed! I could never do something so terrifying!”
“You weren't ‘entrusted’ with them; they were ‘snatched away,’ weren’t they?”
“U-uu... I didn’t mean for it to...”
At my words, Nagisa hung her head dejectedly. Perhaps I had bullied her a bit too much.
Even so, this child remained as resistant to [Perception Alteration] as ever. Whether it was due to her own ability or her lineage, I wasn't sure. Regardless, while I could prevent her from lying, I had to remember that completely breaking her will was a difficult task.
“Very well. How long has it been since Rasetsu’s presence could no longer be confirmed?”
“Um... about an hour.”
“I see. Thank you for reporting this promptly.”
“Um, um! I came right away! So please, don’t lay a hand on my people! I beg of you!”
Nagisa bowed her head vigorously in supplication. Everything will perish eventually, so I couldn't fathom why this child was so desperate. I simply didn't understand. Even if she protected them at such cost, those people would only accept her protection as their due and never show a shred of gratitude.
Why go so far for such hopeless things...?
“...Yes. I understand.”
When I stated clearly that I wouldn't touch the people of Kyokutou, Nagisa let out a sigh of relief. I then turned and headed toward Beria to relay the information.
◇
“Master Beria, do you have a moment?”
I called out to Beria, who was staring at the cherry blossoms in full bloom.
“Philly. Has word finally come from Rasetsu?”
“It’s an emergency. The Wraith reports that Rasetsu’s presence has been snuffed out.”
Beria’s eyes went wide. “He’s a mana lifeform. Who could possibly erase his existence...? Don’t tell me...”
“Yes. It is only natural to assume Orun Doura has regained his power. While I can’t rule out Fuuka Shinonome, Rasetsu’s final report indicated they were acting together. Either way, Orun is almost certainly involved.”
Beria didn't deny my assessment. Instead, he clicked his tongue in irritation.
“Regaining his power before the Tsutrail raid... his timing is atrocious. I was so close to breaking his heart. How did he even manage it?”
“I don’t know. But dwelling on what’s already done is a waste of time. I suggest we make our next move on the assumption that Orun is at full strength.”
“...You’re right.”
Perhaps because I had been gradually eroding his awareness with [Perception Alteration] over the years, he accepted my words without a hint of doubt. He was already my pawn. All that remained was to make him spit out the location of the Phoenix Shrine—the core of this world. That was the one piece of information he adamantly refused to disclose.
But given the current situation, I might finally get it.
“Time is of the essence. We must act now.”
“I know!”
I pushed my [Perception Alteration] further, instilling a deep sense of urgency in him, yet I could still see a flicker of hesitation. It was likely because I was standing right there. But I had to know the location of the shrine. I couldn't back down.
“...I am your loyal servant. I admire your caution, Master Beria—even toward me, it is a virtue. But can you not trust me? I sealed Orun’s memories for your sake. I ignited the Kyokutou civil war to present it to you. I have moved the world as your hands and feet. Is all that I have done still not enough?”
(...Ugh, having to fawn over such a pathetic man makes me want to retch. But I know this is necessary. I am your loyal servant, after all. For your sake, I would crawl through filth... if it leads to the end of humanity.)
Careful not to let a single trace of my true feelings show, I looked Beria straight in the eye and appealed to his emotions.
“…………You’re right. I understand. I will trust you. But keep this between us.”
After a long silence, Beria finally broke.
“Yes, of course. Thank you for believing in me.”
I wove my response with cold precision, using every ounce of my reason to ensure my rising emotions didn't color my voice.