Chapter 37

Because the strongest character of the story is strong, they make themself look good with peace of mind

(tl note: “make themself look good” in the title means to look better than they actually are.)

 

Corroding all living things... that’s totally World Tree meta, isn’t it? Scary.

 

And there’s also the beautiful girl character meta. This is that, right? The one where just getting close will dissolve your clothes? I know all about it.

 

I don’t like it… I really don’t want to get any closer! It stinks so bad, it’s the worst.

 

Adishut is looking at me and seems to be saying something, but it’s so loud and jarring that I have no idea what he's saying.

 

So, I decided to hit him with an Eight-chan beam, then say my piece and leave the rest to En and the others. Actually, there’s a barrier, so it’s safe to get close to. It’s true, you know?

 

This time, I wasn’t scared of a situation where an original protagonist and an original boss fight one-on-one. I made up my mind about that. I understood that the goddess-like person wanted things to play out this way, so if necessary, I’m prepared to step forward from now on.

 

So, there were two reasons I took on a support role this time. First was my own physical condition. I already wasn’t feeling great, and the overwhelming stench made my motivation wither. I just wanted to go home, take a bath, and sleep. Since there are volcanoes around here, maybe there’s a hot spring nearby.

 

──And the other reason is that I thought it would be better, tactically, to provide support from the rear. With so much talent on the front lines, there should be no problems with the vanguard’s firepower even if I don’t come forward.

 

Here is a role only I could perform—I believed that handling the deadly poison gas was top priority. Yare yare, even though I wanted to be under the limelight.

 

Speaking of which, there’s a trope in “banished from the party” stories where rear-support members often get kicked out by some dense hero, but on the point, En and the others have a good head on their shoulders, so they won’t banish me. If he did, that’d a character degradation anti-hate work. Even if that weren’t the case, En seems to have played RPGs as a kid, so he should know how important rear support is. (tl note: ani-hate is classification tag that indicates fanfiction that contain depictions that excessively "degrade or criticize" specific characters that appear in the original work.)

 

──And so, Eight-chan got to shine as the debuffer against Adishut. Victory.

 

Starting with compounding the supernatural abilities “Purification” and “Anywhere Harp,” I completely neutralized their specialty poison attacks. After that, I used “Gravity Manipulation” to secretly slow Adishut’s movements, while intercepting stray bullets with “Lightning” to protect the refugees and nearby buildings. Praise me.

 

As I was doing that, Adishut looked at me and got really ticked off.

 

If it was that obvious, even I could tell what he meant. He was calling out to me, probably something like, “Come fight me here and now, you bastard!” (tl note: the line between quotation is in Osaka dialect.)

 

I'm not going, you know? I’d rather not get close, and honestly, watching En and the others working together was so precious that I don’t care anymore. En’s new special move was really awesome… The technique of focusing the energy from Fairy Burst into one spot before releasing it was probably inspired by Chouta’s last move. As expected of a fighting genius.

 

Watching the figures of the heroes, my mood meter shot up. Eight-chan is someone who easily changes their words and actions according to their own interests or convenience.

 

Thanks to stealing some Chesed power, my kinetic vision has also improved, and new discoveries I can see are novel and fun.

 

My supernatural ability output has also increased by an order of magnitude higher, and sure enough, I’m now a super original protagonist.

 

“Hm…?”

 

With the range of the supernatural abilities “Search” and “Clairvoyance” expanded several times, I noticed two figures approaching while holding down Adishut’s movements.

 

Two female archangels──Tiferet and Malkuth.

 

They were probably chasing us originally, but as soon as they noticed Adishut's presence, they immediately switched targets. It was admirable, a rational choice fulfilling their duty as archangels. Well done, well done.

 

I was also happy to have them as allies, so I cast a buff on the two of them to speed them up. From their perspective, it was just a slight boost, but thanks to that, they barely made it in time to defeat Adishut.

 

──In the end, the six-man attack of myself, En, Chouta, Hod, Tiferet, and Malkuth, defeated the Qlippoth of the abyss “Adishut”.

 

...Man, that goddess-like person went overboard. The original boss was way too strong. Even the final boss of the original work, Keter, wasn’t this strong... Yup, that guy was even stronger. I totally get that if the official boss is strong, you can make the original characters stronger with a peace of mind. So I won’t point that out. Eight-chan is an original protagonist who understands fanfiction authors.

 

Of course, since an original boss, or rather, Adishut, appeared before my eyes, I’m at least trying to show a little understanding. Really, I am.

 

So, this is my own mercy.

 

Looking down at his fading form, I reached out to him telepathically.

 

『Someday, somewhere else, you’ll be reborn. Not here, but in a distant world… And when that time comes, I’ll surely celebrate your existence.』

 

“...ReAlly…? DaA...t…”

 

『Sorry… Rest well.』

 

In a distant world—in other words, not here, but in a new work by the goddess-like person, maybe he’ll have a chance to reappear. I don't know if there will be an opportunity though.

 

Because original characters are original, their strength is that they can be resurrected back any number of times. It's not uncommon for fanfictions to do something like a star system with favorite original characters. (tl note: star system means a production method for films that focuses on popular actors in order to attract audiences.)

 

That’s exactly why there’s a chance he’ll get such an opportunity someday. Maybe the goddess-like person will revive him somewhere, just like with me. At that time, don’t let him appear in front of me again, but I won’t complain if he pops up in some other world.

 

“Ahh… I’m glAd…”

 

As I sent Adishut to the underworld with pity, he muttered something sadly as he faded away.

 

What's that supposed to mean? You’re making me feel sorry for you, so stop it… I just wanted a clean victory.

 

Ah.

 

“──!”

 

Suddenly, all strength leave my body.

 

At that moment, the twelve wings on my back vanished.

 

Not good, I’m out of energy. Eh~…?

 

Ah… Is this that? Maybe it’s be some kind of backlash from using unfamiliar power or something like that… Yup.

 

As cool as power-up compensations can be, onee-san wishes you would stop now.

 

After all… If I pass out now, I’m going to fall, you know? This is the sky, you know? At an altitude of about 3000 meters.

 

Is there an original protagonist whose cause of death is falling from the sky? I… don’t want that.

 

…...

 

S-somebody! Anybody is fine, catch me!

 

Help! En! Chouta! Hod-san!

 

I don’t even care about my hat flying off anymore.

 

In a crisis where there is no escape, I’m falling, reaching out my hands helplessly into empty space. Ababababa.

 

I don’t want to die like this, that would be uncool. If I had to die, I’d at least want to die in a cooler way… like dying to protect someone I admire or something, that kind of thing would be nice.

 

But if this is punishment for me, an original protagonist, for rejecting the goddess-like person’s fanfiction, then… I’ll have to accept it. The depth of my faith wasn’t enough. (tl note: the last sentence is a reference to something I’m not familiar with.)

 

But, you know… Don’t do an Eternal!

 

Even if I die here, the fanfiction of the goddess-like person won’t! I believe that my original protagonist moves have given the goddess-like person new ideas, so Eight-chan’s adventure will now──

 

“Eight!”

 

──not end here.

 

Alright, I can still do it!

 

Thank you, Mea-chan! I love you!

 

Fufufu, it seems the heavens haven’t abandoned me after all. No… that’s not it. It’s just that there’s a kind person who didn’t abandon me and helped me.

 

I’m not something thrown away by the world. I decided to be grateful for her kindness.

 

“…Thank you, Mea. For being born.”

 

“—! Eight…? Eight!”

 

…No, I’m really sorry.

 

Please forgive me for thinking when we first met, that, “We don’t need any other original protagonists besides me!”

 

You’re also a genuine original protagonist. No matter what anyone says, you are one. Thank you for being born.

 

I’ll simply celebrate your existence. So please, keep living. In this beautiful world—

 

…Huh? Could it be, right now, my thoughts are getting closer to Chesed’s?

 

Not good, I have to revive him quickly, or I might become merciful…!

 

On the contrary, possession original protagonists are a different genre.

 

I was feeling restless… But I was unable to resist the overwhelming drowsiness and fatigue that swept over me.

 

Consequently, I fell asleep in Mea-chan’s arms, who held me in a princess carry for the first time in my life.

 

Now I understand… Kakeru-kun’s feelings back then. This is so embarrassing!

 

 

 

 

The sun had set, and the moon had risen over the holy capital of El, “Gedulah.”

 

On a high ground with an extensive view of the sea of clouds, the Archangel of Glory Hod stood facing two other archangels.

 

The two archangels, Tiferet and Malkuth, had come to this island following the humans. Their gazes on him were stern, yet as Hod finished recounting the recent events, a look of bewilderment crossed their faces.

 

『…Such a thing… So Chesed’s death was caused by the Qlippoth of the abyss?』

 

『I can’t believe it.』

 

Hod speculated that the Archangel of Mercy Chesed fell into the hands of evil humans because he had been in battle with Adishut just prior.

 

Most likely, he eroded through the wounds and allowed some form of parasitic invasion. An existence as powerful as Adishut. If he had slipped out from the world of the abyss, he should have been immediately detectable, leading Hod to suspect that he did not have much power at that point.

 

『In other words, Adishut, who emerged from the abyss, regained his power by taking in oni… Chesed was waiting for the time when he would be fully revived inside him...?』

 

『But then, an irregularity occurred. Chesed, with his wounded body, fled to the human world, only to fall into the hands of an evil organization called PSYence. There, Adishut, who had been hiding out along with the extracted factor, was absorbed by that girl, “Mea”. This is speculation, though.』

 

『...Certainly, considering the nature of Qlippoth, it’s possible. We need to hear from the person directly.』

 

『What’s with that? In the end, the humans are the ones who are at fault, aren't they?! They deserve retribution…!』

 

The Qlippoth of the abyss was darkness itself, lacking substance and changing shape freely.

 

The reason Adishut had manifested as a massive black bird to fight, was because he was clumsily imitating Chesed’s form, and there are legends of a time when it took on a dragon’s shape, mimicking the Holy Dragon. (tl note: folklore might be a more accurate translation than legend.)

 

Thus, it is plausible he concealed himself in a microscopic form within the archangel’s body, gathering strength.

 

Still, they lacked enough information. It was also true that the assumptions had much to do with guesses.

 

『It’s true that evil human organizations have done unforgivable things, but there’s something more pressing than retaliation. Like that one… T.P. Eight Olishua.』

 

『...A primordial archangel, right? Is there no doubt?』

 

『It seems like she wants to hide it. But even if she stole Chesed’s power, to possess twelve wings suggests she was an angel from the start』

 

『What nonsense… There’s no angel in the heavenly realm we don’t know!』

 

『But, what about the “World of the abyss?” That place is a forbidden domain even we cannot enter… What if when God’s seal weakened, the primordial archangel sealed away along with it managed to escape?』

 

『──！』

 

The archangels gasped.

 

Currently, this world was governed by the Ten Archangels of Sefirot, created by the Holy Dragon Ain Soph.

 

But long ago—back when Qlippoth of the abyss first appeared—there were others who had protected the Fairy World.

 

──They were the "Primordial Archangels."

 

Hod and the others only knew of their existence through legends, but aside from the Holy Dragon, only their eldest brother, Keter, was a living witness.

 

And as Hod and the others were successors born after Keter, they had heard from him the name of the archangel who vanished into the abyss.

 

Therefore──Hod believed that the girl known as T.P. Eight Olishua might indeed be that archangel.

 

The two female angels were suspicious of the story, which was so absurd that it was hard to believe.

 

『There’s no way that’s true. For a long time, that person has…!』

 

『I’m going to report this to our lord (Keter). If it’s just groundless worry, then it’s fine. But if Hod’s guess is correct…』

 

『…That’s right… I understand. I’ll stay here and get information from the one involved.』

 

『Hey, Tifa!? Do you really believe that story?!』

 

No definitive information could be obtained without asking the person in question.

 

However, she was currently exhausted and recuperating in the aid station. On his part, he didn't want to wake up the person who had made the greatest contribution to subjugating Adishut by slapping her awake.

 

Even without that, Hod, an archangel with a noble chivalrous spirit, was a gentleman.

 

It was also decided that having another female archangel speak with her when she wakes up seemed more appropriate.

 

It’s just, Tiferet herself had mixed feelings, recalling, "After trying to kill her back then, how can I even face her now?" However, she was an angel who prioritized reason.

 

『If it’s the truth, we can’t look away. Isn’t that right, Malk?』

 

『…That’s true, but…!』

 

She hates humans.

 

Even if Adishut was ultimately the one who killed Chesed, that cognition won’t change.

 

But now that one of the Qlippoth of the abyss has awakened, the damage caused by the Abyss will likely spread even further.

 

Without exception in the past, every time a Qlippoth of the abyss appeared, the Abyss would become more active, almost as if they were celebrating the return of their king.

 

Malkuth looked dissatisfied with the fact that the world could no longer be split simply into the two colors of humans and holy beasts.

 

I understand her feelings… Tiferet feels the same way.

 

But this is too serious a matter to ignore.

 

『Oh, I forgot to mention…』

 

Hod, who was about to fly off towards where Keter lives, the first island, Ehyeh, turned back and said to her.

 

『Maybe Chesed will be revived? by their hands.』

 

『──！』

 

…What was Hod feeling when he left behind that bombshell?

 

If he thought he was getting things done, Tiferet thought she might start to hate him. She vowed to rip off that mask of his and slap him.

 

And then, the youngest sister, who she was worried about the most, was trembling, looking down.

 

『Primordial Archangel, Daat… if she’s really our mother, would she help onii-chan for us?』

 

The primordial archangel who disappeared into the world of the abyss long ago—”Daat”.

 

That is the name of an archangel in mythology known only through the creation records left on the third island, Elohim, and from Keter’s hearsays.

 

If their king (Keter) said it was true, then Daat’s existence was undeniable.

 

However, if that girl was indeed such an archangel, then that would mean such a being was standing on the side of humanity.

 

…When she thought about it like that, Malkuth simply couldn’t bring herself to believe it.

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