Chapter 72

The Empire Strikes Back is my favorite

(I became really ill these few days ago to the point of having to become absent from University, but I still didn't go to a doctor.)

It’s probably the true that Keter is grateful that we protected this town, where the holy beasts live.

However, it’s hard to believe that five of the Ten Archangels of Sefirot come all this way just to express their gratitude.

In addition to that, the king himself started to move. As someone who’s fundamentally positive, I could sense there’s a reason for this.

As our representative, En stepped forward, and under the blue sky, the protagonist of the original work and the final boss stood face to face.

The moment the two well-featured sullen-faced men confronted each other, Chouta suddenly seemed to noticed and whispered something to Tsubasa.

“Ain’t En and that King, kinda similar?”

"…Now that you mention it, he does resemble how En used to be."

Ah… I see. It’s true now that they said it.

I see… The reason I was able to accept it more smoothly than expected, despite wondering, "Was Keter always like this?" just now is probably because I had a sense of déjà vu.

Yeah, certainly, En in the beginning of Fairy Savers was just like this.

At that time, he always had a serious expression and had a gloomy atmosphere, as if depression was oozing throughout his body. When he did occasionally open his mouth, his words were often lacking, causing confusion for those around him.

Even in the new anime Fairy Savers ∞, of which I only saw the early stages of at Charon-sama’s place, the protagonist’s demeanor at the early days didn’t particularly change.

Thinking back to how he used to be, him stepping forward on his own and splendidly engaging in dialogue filled me with a sense of growth and warmed my heart.

That aside, I personally think that anime where the final boss and the protagonist share common features are masterpieces.

Unlike simplistic character overlaps, I rather like it when intentional contrasts between characters are drawn one after another.

As I watched the two exchange with that mind, their discussion was proceeding far more smoothly than I had initially expected.

──Because Keter highly valued what the Savers had done in this world, without any bias.

Indeed, in this world, the Savers had started by rescuing a Kobold village, then completely annihilated the resurrected Qlippoth of the abyss "Adyeshach," and now, they had saved this town from an attack by the Abyss army led by a fragment of Kaitzul.

At this point in the anime Fairy Savers, they hadn’t contributed to the Fairy World to that extent. Compared to that, they have made many lasting achievements in this world.

In particular, due to the presence of "Qlippoth of the abyss," a powerful force on the Abyss side, the achievement of the Savers, who defeated it, became even bigger than in the previous work, making it something even the king can’t ignore. It was a wonderful butterfly effect.

There were likely testimonies from Hod, Malkuth, and the others, so I’d like to think that Keter had somewhat had a better opinion of humans.

Keter may indeed be the story’s final boss, but he is purely trying to protect the Fairy World, and is of course not evil himself. That part of him made me, as an original protagonist, want to save him. He is scary, though.

Maybe the fighting can end with this… As I watched events unfold while harboring a faint hope, their discussion continued.

『I have heard about your purpose for visiting this world. And your true intentions as well. I also understand that you contributed to the subjugation of Adyeshach.』

"Yes… We bear no hostility toward the holy beasts. The Savers… many people do not wish for meaningless conflict."

At the moment those sincere words were spoken from within En, the hard-liners, Chokmah and Gevurah, wore expressions that seemed to say, "You say this at this stage…?"

However, considering that I guessed that we would have been left utterly helpless without the Holy Dragon, the fact that Keter was properly listening to us was a worthwhile sight.

Hmm… I have no idea what kind of wind is blowing*, and it’s scaring me. (tl note: the state in which something that is not usually seen happens unexpectedly.)

Even when I use "Search," I can’t read Keter’s expression at all… Still, with his surly face, he glanced briefly at me and, for some reason, at Mea-chan and said,

『You, as individuals… may indeed be good people. However, I* am the guardian of this world. No matter how many good deeds you accumulate, it does not change the fact that the entirety of the species called ‘humans’ is a dangerous existence to this world. As the 'King' entrusted by God with the authority to manage the world, I can no longer overlook the selfishness of the human world.』(tl note: Keter refers to himself with the archaic pronoun “余/yo”)

“...! That’s…!”

While he acknowledged En's group as good people, Keter declared that he had no intention of changing his policy toward the human world.

Hearing that, I couldn’t help but make a bitter expression. It’s not going to be that easy after all.

He’s not saying that all humans are bad, but it was true that there were evil people who had harmed the holy beasts in the human world. Most of it was PSYence's fault, though.

It’s true that the holy beasts had suffered at the hands of humans, and that grudge still echoes even now.

When that part was pecked at, En’s group, as members of a police organization that couldn’t stop those crimes, had bitter expressions.

『That’s how it is, you fools. You don't even know how many years we've waited for you, and now, when it’s already too late, how can you have the nerve to ask to overlook you!?』

Chokmah’s resentful words were imbued with the intense anger of a holy beast whose brethren had been tormented.

In truth, he probably wants to attack again right away. But I won’t let that happen.

…Now, what to do about this?

Setting-wise, it’s as they’ve said, it’s the truth that the ones who started the terrible acts were the humans.

Not only did they do terrible things to the holy beasts that wandered into the world through the otherworld gate, including Chesed, in the first place, if you trace back toward the source, the reason the gates between the two worlds opened was because of the careless research results of humans.

For modern humans, this is a story that happened long before they were born, something even the families of those involved have completely forgotten. But for the long-lived angels, it was just a recent event, creating a discord in their sense of time.

──But, saying “it’s all humanity’s fault” or “humans are entirely to blame” makes little sense.

Personally, I think that sort of thing is one-sided and unfair.

It’s similar to an original protagonists SEKKYOU.

"If it doesn’t come accross, it’s meaningless."

With that, it’s time to make my presence known!

Because of past experiences, En’s group all share a self-punishing nature, combined with the feeling of indebtedness for not being able to suppress "PSYence" until recently, which makes unable to come out strongly.

But that has nothing to do with me, an original protagonist.

I have no particular feeling of indebtedness toward the angels or holy beasts, so I stepped forward without hesitation.

When I interrupted, Chokmah knitted his brows with a 『What?』 while the gazes of the archangels and the Savers’ group all concentrated on me.

Heh… this situation, being the center of attention with such a lineup—feels super gooood.

This is it… To make my presence known, this is exactly why I enjoy being an original protagonist.

“You all are certainly generous. In fact, you beared with it until Chesed was captured, didn’t you? Just as the Holy Dragon Ein Sof said, you believed that one day, the entirety of humanity would mature.”

『...Hmph, what an outrageous miscalculation that was. Humans no longer have any worth! Those who misuse the power bestowed by God for folly must be driven a wedge into*. That is the guidance of us, the Sefirot!』 (tl note: to forcefully insert one's own position or power into the other party)

"That’s going too far, Chokmah. Sacrificing so many lives for that is wrong."

『What a naive thing to say… Unless we go that far, they will never change!』

What a great voice… It really resonates profoundly in your heart.

In the original anime, Chokmah was an very impactful villain, but facing him in reality, I realized that I actually like him quite a bit.

Without thinking, a smiled spilled out from me.

"Fufu… You’ve thought about humans more seriously than I expected. I like that about you, Chokmah."

『...』

『...King?』

But, I see.

I had thought Chokmah was just rampaging with a "kill all humans!" mindset, but it looks like he has his own sense of justice.

His methods are far too extreme, no matter how you look at it, but it gives some relief that he was trying to guide humanity according to his own intentions, just as the holy dragon instructed.

But even so… I think dragging honest citizens into this is really just too much, and it’s wrong to drive a wedge into them. This is only the peace-believing* ethics of someone who lived in a peaceful country, but… even so. (tl note: naive belief in continued peace or ignorance of global conflict)

"It’s not that they’re evil because they’re humans, it’s that the people who did it are."

It’s exactly as he says when it comes to those involved in the management of "PSYence," but making the whole of humanity collectively responsible is making the subject much bigger than it is*. (tl note: the act of rephrasing what should originally be one's own opinion as if it is being asserted by many)

There's nothing more unfortunate than honest citizens who have lived modest and earnest lives being dragged into this because of a few war criminals.

From their perspective, it's like, "Why should we be judged for the mistakes of people we don't even know?" They're the people who’d say, "I'm not guilty!*" (serious). (tl note: line by Luke fon Fabre from Tales of the abyss)

Some might say, "Ignorance is a sin," but having every single person always live while reading into things too much is just cruel.

There are people in the world who are doing their best just to survive another day. From their perspective, being blamed for sins they have nothing to do with and being attacked by the holy beasts is not something they can accept as divine punishment. No one would agree to that.

"That's why I think your actions were too hasty. Instead of attacking, you should have expressed your disappointment first."

"Disappointment…"

"That’s the kind of guy who wouldn’t properly cope in a definite way, right…?"

Shut up! That word might leave a bad impression on them since they're in a civil service-like position, but Eight-chan is deeply disappointed that Tsubasa and Chouta can’t read the mood.

But expressing your feelings is actually important.

Of course, just conveying without taking action is obviously not right, but right now, in the human world, people in the human world don't even understand why the holy beasts are angry. This part can't be neglected.

Frankly, from the perspective of the human world, the holy beasts’ actions look like an alien invasion… So even though they have noble ideals, both sides will end up unhappy.

"Hmph… If we settle with a warning, humans will forget their sins within a hundred years and get cocky. Unless they experience pain, they will continue piling foolish acts, laughing foolishly behind their bowed heads!"

"It’s okay. People like the Savers exist to reprove them. The human world has an autopurification mechanism operating splendidly. So, humanity’s potential is not, by any means, to be discarded. Your god also said so, didn't he? That humanity is still immature, but please guide them."

『Ngh…』

"T.P. Eight Olishua… you…"

Oops, I talked too much. Sorry, En.

It's fine to assert my presence by cutting into conversations, but if I overdo it, I’ll just end up getting in the way of the protagonist of the original work and messing up the story's pacing, so the handling is important.

I smiled slightly at En, who looked like he had something to say, then chose a suitable time to step back to my original position. Ah, that felt refreshing!

Then Keter, who had remained silent throughout my conversation with Chokmah, finally opened his mouth and asked a question.

『...Do you believe in the awakening of humanity?』

I wonder if the reason he has a very meek look on his face is because he thinks I'm “Daat.”

I’m afraid of the aftermath of impersonation, so I want to find out the truth as soon as possible, but... it's ironic that this situation is making him hear us out seriously.

Still, handling unintended situations is the trickster cheat original protagonist T.P. Eight Olishua’s specialty. Fufun, I'm so cool.

"If it’s about all of humanity, then, naturally, that would be difficult. But if people, including you Ten Archangels of Sefirot, help each other... one day, it will surely be possible. Even the humans here have reached this state by helping each other. Others surely can too."

『...Fairy Burst, huh…』

If all of humanity were to achieve Fairy Burst, it would be an absurd inflation, but given the setting of the original work, it's not theoretically impossible. Of course, I don’t know how many years it would take. But from an angel’s perspective, it shouldn't be that long.

As I expressed my irresponsible and optimistic opinion as an original protagonist, I noticed Kazaoka Tsubasa looking at me with a look of understanding.

"...So, your goal for being a phantom thief was for this after all…"

? What is this guy talking about?

The reason for my play as a supernatural ability phantom thief was just to stylishly steal cool abilities, nothing else, but… well, it's fine. I don't know what it is, but if it convinces you, then that's good!　

『That is so... Until now, I have observed the human world . God had said that humans who possess supernatural abilities would become the trump card against the Abyss, the enemy we holy beasts (fairies) cannot allow to live... I was trying to ascertain that.』

He closed his eyes and muttered as if reflecting on the past. This is a good course of events.

Looks like my words had an effect to Keter. The Daat effect is amazing.

Well, what I said wasn’t anything difficult. I spoke at length, but to summarize, it was the exceedingly common scolding, "Let’s have a discussion first before hitting resorting to violence to vent your dissatisfaction and anger!"

Serious, graphic discussions like demands for apologies or compensation aren't favorite genre, so you could say I just left them to those in high positions. I don’t really want to poke my nose in that far…

I have no idea who will represent the human side at that time, but if the Savers are involved, the negotiations shouldn’t go awkwardly.

『From that viewpoint, launching an attack on the human world would be a bad move, Keter. We need to talk to each other, to each other*.』(tl note: the 2nd one has “のこと” which adds tender feelings to what is said)

Chesed, who said the same things in the anime Fairy Savers, followed suit from on top of Mea-chan’s shoulder. What’s with you… you’ve become something like Mea-chan’s exclusive mascot when I wasn’t looking.

...It’s fine, I have Kabbalah-chan.

Sulking a little, I look down at the fluffy creature snuggling against my feet and smile.

However, the first to react to Chesed’s words weren’t Keter, whom we had called out to, but Chokmah and Malkuth.

『Hmph, you still say that even after humans have used you one-sidedly? That’s why you’re a fool! To be caught off guard by something like Kaitzul... What an idiot!』

『That’s right! Chesed should be angrier at humans!』

『Uh, yeah...』

You guys sure get along well.

Actually, doesn’t Chokmah like Chesed? is what I’m starting to think. Not in the rotten way, of course. But he feels like the good old-fashioned tsundere rival waves. Depending on how you look at it, he even seems to be having fun talking with Chesed.

While they were not caring for their surroundings, Akatsuki En spoke to Keter as if performing a follow-up attack.

"...If you're going to fight the Abyss, we'll cooperate. So please—"

stop attacking our world—Keter interrupted just as he was about to say it.

『There’s no need for that.』

At that moment──I felt a chill run down my spine.

Eh? What? What? Why did you get mad now?

Is this king emotionally unstable...? I sent him, who had a sudden change in demeanor, a look of suspicion, but he turned a cold gaze toward all the Savers present and spoke,

『Yes... There is no longer any need to cooperate with humans, nor any need to use their power.』

It was that cool-headed appearance that clearly overlapped with the final boss of Fairy Savers that I knew.

With his eyes open, he took several steps forward and stopped in front of a single girl among the Savers.

Then, he looked down at her and said.

『I have come to welcome you, Mugenko Mea—my daughter.』

"...Eh?"

?

!?

!?!?!?!??

Eh? Keter... Just now, you called Mea-chan your daughter…? Your daughter!?

I am your father?　

No… That’s not true… That’s impossible…!

No…! With imperial-style BGM playing in my head, we, who heard the king’s bombshell statement, stared at the two of them in shock.

──Mea-chan… I thought she hasn’t been standing out lately, but something like this… Seriously?

As an original protagonist, I had never regretted not being able to study Fairy Savers ∞ as much as I did now.

(author:

[omake]

Now that all but one of the Ten Archangels of Sefirot have appeared, I’ll leave their impressions of Eight here.

Keter… Almost confirmed to be Daat. Emotion are open fractured. Doesn’t know what kind of face to make or what to say…

Chokmah… Seems to be Daat. Honestly, doesn’t trust her, but he feels a fear in her that neither humans nor holy beasts possess, so he feels he’s not good with her*. (tl note: awareness that one is not good at something and tends to avoid it)

Binah… Confirmed to be Daat. An angel she adores, so she wants to help her. She wants to be spoiled by her a little. She likes her.

Chesed… Confirmed to be Daat. His benefactor, so he would risk his life to help her.

Gevurah… Half-convinced she’s Daat. Her softness, which is the complete opposite of severity, makes him feel he’s not good with her.

Tiferet… Half-convinced she’s Daat. Her benefactor, so she has a good impression of Eight. They seem to have similar hobbies. She wants to ask Eight about the harp.

Netzach… Eh? She was Daat? Now that’s unexpected, HAHAHA.

Hod… Almost confirmed to be Daat. Good impression. If she weren’t Daat, that would also be interesting.

Yesod… Currently away on a business trip, so doesn’t know about her existence.

Malkuth… Confirmed to be Daat. Wants everyone to get along with the king…

Most of the characters like her… This is the natural virtue of a cheat original protagonist. (´･ω･｀)

)

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