by Kasugamaru
Yup, there she is.
Kuroi.
Mounted on a burning horse, black hair flowing... Whoa, her eyes are something else. Burning for real now, eh? Overflowing with magic. Magic the color of molten metal. A gaze of intense anger. A hotter, deeper, intense anger.
So the silent ember cavalry are basically you, aren’t they? Yeah, makes sense thinking about them as burning coal. They’re like your two eyes. Holding flames in the depths of mineral blacks. Eyes that don’t let the enemy go once they find them.
Which means... yeah, figured. The cavalry charge. A red, burning cavalry charge with a hundred troopers. They blast aside the yellow eyes. Well, they’re getting counterattacked, a few of them are falling, but they’ve wiped out the enemy.
Wait, no, that’s not it. That’s not what’s happening. The fallen knights disappear once... and then reappear. They manifest again next to Kuroi. Burning a bright shade of red, they revive each time, fighting to wipe out the enemies at the end of Kuroi’s glare. So that’s them. They’re the ones.
The Undying Legions from the holy book.
Damn, that’s ridiculous. That’s the only word that works. Ridiculous. No, words don’t do this justice at all.
Kuroi. Oh Kuroi.
You’re going back into battle, leading three hundred undying cavalry troopers. You’ve gone from being a single, overwhelming warrior, to leading an entire overwhelming company. Of your own.
With the heat of humanity’s anger... and the depth of humanity’s sorrow in your eyes.
“Gentlemen... impressive. Such impressive fighting.” The captain’s smiling. Smiling as he smiles, his lips are quivering.
“...Looks like it’s not your turn yet.”
“Looking forward to it. No way I’m not getting back into battle.”
“No doubt. To join those ranks, you’re gonna have to be able to fight.”
“What a life. To have both a great reason to live and a great reason to die.” Yeah, no argument there, bud.
Since there’s no need to give up living, and no need to have death end your hopes. A life where you can cry and laugh. A purpose for being born.
Oh. Kuroi’s advancing.
Surrounded by the mockery of the long-ears, oppressed by them, it’s an awful place. Hemmed in by the arrogance of the yellow-eyes, abused for fun, this is a cruel place. This cruel, ruthless battlefield that is like a miniature of this awful world.
You charge straight in without hesitation. No pause, not a glance back. For the people who are still fighting. For the people who call out for help. As the leader of humanity. As the Apostle of God.
Go get ’em Kuroi.
No... I’ll pray to you, God.
The girl that serves you... she’s still young. She doesn’t get that there are alternatives to taking every damned thing seriously. She’s too dedicated. Too naïve.
Please, don’t sacrifice her.
If it’s for Kuroi, I... no, we, will die a thousand deaths. We’ll happily serve as fodder and fuel, and if you’ll make us undying, we’ll fight for eternity.
So, please... protect Kuroi.
Please. Deus Ex.
35 The Child Fights, Then Greets the Children Who Enter the World
I’m not alone.
Many thoughts, many dreams through me, take the fight to the world.
-Sira V-
I know that God’s not always with me. And I also know you’re the god of fighting. A warrior god. The god of war.
But that’s not all I know. No, I’ve learned a lot. Because I’ve been watching Lady Kuroi all this time, because I’ve seen where and what Lady Kuroi looks at, and felt what she felt... so I know.
That God, you’re just like Lady Kuroi.
You’re strong, but weak. Skilled but clumsy. Kind and dedicated. With lots of anger, lots of sadness, so much that it’s exhausting. Enough to exhaust the heart. It’s hard to watch. Hard to just have you do things for us. We want to join your struggle.
It was hard for me when Dad always kept struggling, working hard by himself. But I didn’t complain, so that I could welcome him home. And that’s when Dad...
So, please. You can rest a little. Resting is important. It’s okay. It’ll be okay. The precious things won’t go away. They might get beaten up or dirtied, but we’ll protect them all together. So they’ll stay precious.
I can fight, too.
“You damned human brat! Fighting back when you’re just domesticated pets of the fallen leaves!” In a dark alley, a big vampire with a big voice. In his hand is a big metal stick with thorns on it.
“Time to make mincemeat outta you!” He swings down in a straight line, so I jump to the side. Wow, that’s loud and windy. But it doesn’t hit. I jump again. And again. Hopping to and fro. Once that’s done, next probably is...
“Damned annoying...!” Yup, he swings to the side. A giant, annoyed swing to the side. It’s tearing at the wall of a house. So I jump high. Dad pulls my hand. Dad told me that the arrogant can’t see what’s beneath them. Yup, so keep pushing me onward.
I jump over the vampire and land behind him. People who use violence as a toy can’t see anywhere but in front. I know that well.
“Goof!” Dad slashes at his back where there’s no arm. He also slashes behind the knee. Keep going!
“D-Damned rodent...!” I can move behind his butt before he can turn around to me. I’m so good at this Uncle Odysson begs me to stop!
“Guuof?!” Dad’s sword stabs underneath his arm. It’s the move he always showed me. It’s strong.
I get a little distance. Doesn’t look like I can finish him, yet. Vampires are really tough. Don’t rush. A little bit at a time. That’s all I need to do. And don’t get caught. Never get caught.
“Huh, you’re struggling, huh? Lame.”
“About time to switch, isn’t it? The one that catches her eats her, right?”
“What is it? You hungry now? Haha!” There’s plenty of vampires. Lots of them around. There’s a bunch on top of the roof, looking down. They’re making me fight, toying with me. They keep talking about how they’ll eat me, where do they want to eat; scary things like that.
But that’s okay. This is the only way I can stop them.
We’re in the tenement district. At the end of the alley are a bunch of people who didn’t get away. So I can’t let the vampires pass. I need to work hard, or the vampires will eat them all.
“C’mon, let’s give him a hand.”
“Yeah, good idea. How about we get to eat where we hit?” Rocks. The vampires behind are throwing them.
It’s dark, I can’t see them well, but it’s okay. Dad blocks them all. Sira’s not scared. Gotta ignore the ones only toying from afar. Right, Dad?
W-Wait, what is it, Dad? Why are you pulling me... Wow.
A giant ball of water falls from the sky, hits the ground, and sprays around it. Woah. It looks like there’s dozens of Dad’s arms. That’s what it looks like, he’s moving and blocking so quickly.
The vampires... Are they hurting? Or are they suffering? That ball of water, it must be poison. It’s that kind of magic. So did the elves help me? Is that how that works?
But I can’t breathe. I didn’t get very wet, but I’m having trouble breathing.
Oh. Maybe it’s from the air. Uncle Odysson was holding his mouth and nose in the lab. He said that’s because he’d breathe in little sprays of water even when it wasn’t steam...
“Gaaaah! You’re all damn annoying!” It’s coming. The spiky stick is coming.
But my feet won’t move. Dad, I can’t jump.
“Guh!” I got hit. It threw me aside.
It hurts. It hurts so much. But I’m still alive.
Dad, you saved me with your sword, didn’t you? And you made sure I didn’t hit the ground. Thanks for all your help. I’m so happy. I’m going to try, too. It’s hard, but it’s okay. I’m not alone, so it’s okay.
The sword... is all the way over there. Neither my hands
nor Dad’s can reach it there.
“Putting me through all that trouble. I would’ve made it easy if you hadn’t struggled.” A hand. A scary hand’s coming. A hand that does nothing but take, a hand that brings nothing but pain. A hand that’s only extended for greed. A hand that treats humans like trash. A hand that wants to kill me.
“...Not to a hand like that.” Dad, please. Help me up.
So I can fight to the end. So I won’t lose.
“I won’t...” A hand, a hairy hand with yellow nails...
Oh... It falls as it’s sliced off.
It’s Dad’s sword. But Dad didn’t swing it. A black and red soldier did it. Who is it? I can’t see their face, but it’s familiar.
“Wha—the hell are you... Guh?!” Two more. Soldiers of the same color. The three defeated the vampire.
Oh, handing back the sword? Thanks. This is Dad’s sword.
They pat my head. All three have kind hands... They each pat my head differently. This feeling... Oh, so that’s it. I know now.
The one patting my head is Rakiel. The one combing my hair is Uncle Apollos. And the one grabbing my head is Locton. The three that played with me. The three that the elves and silver leopards killed.
Wow. You guys beat the vampires up on the roof, too.
The black and red... Oh, those are the mercenaries. The ones who had done their best to protect me until just a little while ago, the Red Lions. And the ones who defeated the rock-throwing vampires are... Lady Kuroi’s company. The horse is red and black, too. The mount that died is fighting with us again. The cavalry soldiers, they must have been fighting so hard until now, and they’re still fighting hard for us.
It’s so warm. Everyone’s glowing a gentle red, and despite it being night, it feels like the sunset’s back. The congestion in my chest that made it hard to breathe is melting away. It’s gone. This color. I really likes this color. It’s the color of the time when Dad comes back home. Dad, who keeps saying he’s all tired. He’s lit with this color when he says those magic words: “I’m home.” And so for everyone else, too.
“Welcome home.” Everyone in black and red just looks at me. Lady Kuroi alone gives me a little nod. And they’re waiting. All of them are waiting for my next words.
Okay. I understand even if you won’t say it. I feel your feelings. It’s not the same as coming home. It’s the opposite. It’s not to rest. Everyone’s come back. Come back from the place where they don’t have to fight anymore, so they can fight again.
That’s why I need to smile and say this:
“Thanks. Good luck.” Lady Kuroi nods firmly and heads off. With everyone else. Off to the battlefield.
Lady Kuroi said she won’t leave the world the way it is. She was angry at the world being a place that doesn’t care if there are humans in it or not. That’s why she fights.
Elves and vampires are going to learn who Lady Kuroi is. They can’t pretend they don’t know who she is anymore.
Because between day and night there’s always the color of sunsets. Same as sunrises. That’s what the world is.
The sky tells us that Lady Kuroi is here. It’s the same as saying that humans are still here. It’ll get that message across further than yelling.
It’s okay now. They’ll hear our wishes.
Good luck, Lady Kuroi. Good luck, everyone. I will be waiting.
36 The Golden Massacres, Then Faces the Raven-Haired Girl, Apostle of Humanity
You and I are similar, but different.
We met because we’re similar, and we fight because we’re different. This is fate.
-****, the Golden I-
The blood of the elf in my grasp is rather good. Mmh. The best of the last few years, at least. The meat’s no good. Elves are all bone and muscle, no fat. Still, it’s fun to toss them off this Stone Tower. Landing with a splat below and becoming fodder for the wolves.
“Damn you... such outrage!”
“‘You’? It’s ‘M’lady’ or ‘Lady Golden’ to you, skinny twig.” No water whip would reach me. Yet they try again. So I grab it with one hand.
“G... Gaaaaah?!”
“Such a pathetic scream.” My Lightning Strike is just as effective through my hand. Elven magic, well, it’s not just something I can destroy, I can use it like this, too.
I am the Golden. My existence is to be on high above. To be respected, to be worshiped. That is the law of nature. My divine right. Even the elves who control the air must bow to the ground in my presence. As for the water wielding elves, well they can work on their party tricks. That one’s no good.
“D-Damned bloodsucker...” Huh, he can still move. To beat back the underlings sent to finish him. Not bad.
“I will not have... some woman look down upon me!”
“Not a line to say when looking up at a woman, dear.” I tap the ground with my toes, casting the earth magic Earth Hammer.
Go fly with the help of this earthen hammer. A fitting end for someone with his nose in the clouds.
To think this mere thing, a trap based on Flowing World, a trifle like that, to use it as a trap for I, the Golden? How disrespectful. Bridges are merely a convenience for letting my underlings and wolves into their feeding grounds.
As for me, I only came here because it seemed a little amusing. I came hoping for a little entertainment.
Well, it was a bit more trouble than I was expecting. Irritating Bell. Always using her trickery to block my lightning. What difference is there between cowardice and being focused on defense?
“Guh... I... I’m...”
“How pathetic. Weak, foolish, and ugly.” Mmh, this is good. Elves should just crawl upon the ground. The pathetic display is enough to provide a little comfort.
“Well, as a reward for your docility as you lose, I’ll teach you two truths about the world.” Listen, and die not only in body, but in soul.
“To the gods, the world is but a game board. Demon and Dragon. They’re simply testing their skills against one another using strong and weak pieces. And as part of that, you will end up as mere fodder for beasts.” The first truth. This realization removes any feelings of self-worth. A ruthless reality that allows no pride. And the second truth, the one provided by the gods... the second is one that denies the existence of fate.
Go into oblivion with both your blood and your hope depleted.
“What a boring, meaningless life. As the gods say, to the faceless masses, ultimately, living merely is a losing struggle.” Mmmh, such a lovely death mask. A once per decade masterpiece.
Ah, that was fun. And that’s a very important thing. To those of us selected by the gods, that’s the only thing that matters. To sort the things that look entertaining, and then enjoy them. That’s about all this world means.
Looking around, all I see is the usual boring scenery. The pathetic squabble for fodder. Vampires and elves fight, and humans are caught and crushed in the middle. The humans were a bit more trouble than usual, but only a little bit. The difference doesn’t matter. They’ll all be dead before dawn. This land will be consumed. Guess that’s about it. In the end, that’s all there is.
I clapped my hands in glee when they used fire magic. Watching my underlings turn to ash, I was hoping for a show of a sort I hadn’t seen in a hundred years. Especially that one human, the one who went on a rampage on her own. An aggression comparable to a vampire. An intensity that caught the eye. A burning gaze. I wonder what was that about... I thought maybe a vengeful spirit had popped out of the humans, but it was all over before I could catch her face.
Humans. A people my God decreed should be left alone. Weak prey. Victimized cattle. In spite of the fact they might be wiped out tomorrow, they plant seeds today.
God recently mentioned we could toy with them a little bit. I wonder what She wants us to do. I wish I could understand Her strategy. My own God, who has no interest in finding the quickest, easiest way to conquer this continent. Just what interests Her so... Hm?
My under
lings are being pushed back. Seems the humans are raising a triumphant shout. I can hear the voices. Humans praising their god. Words of hope.
Among the throng emitting heat like molten lava... an Apostle. That’s the human Apostle. A warrior maiden with raven-hair and red eyes.
Mmmhm. Ah... so that’s it.
This was what you were waiting for, Oh God of Mine.
Humans. Those pathetic vermin we could have wiped out ages ago. The ones we’ve allowed to exist in the south of the continent in agreement with the elves. I couldn’t understand why... and now I do.
A sacrifice. A power bred from despair, raised by tragedy, and refined by obsession... the desire for a third, powerful alignment.
Oh dear. So my God is like a human! Planting seeds and waiting for them to sprout.
And? So I’m here to harvest it? I’m to do the serf’s work of plucking that fruit? How meaningless... yet interesting.
A wrong choice and I might suffer death from divine retribution. But if I do too well, vampires as a people are likely to be wiped out. Oh my. How lovely. I feel that’ll happen. How very exciting. So entropic and hedonistic.
“You there. Yes, you.” Then I may as well enjoy this. Play with all my might. I gather my magic to the limit.
“Identify yourself. As the leader of humanity. Do it with aplomb, with elegance, confidence, and beauty.”
“...Kuroi. The Hare of Flame. Apostle of the War God.”
“I see. I’m the Golden. I forgot my name ages ago. Apostle of the Demon God.” Even at this distance, we hear each other’s voices. Well, it’s to be expected. The voices of the chosen ring through this world. The world itself seeks to hear our voices.
“And what brings you here? To me, the Golden? The greatest there has been and ever shall be.”
“I think you know.”
“No, I don’t. If you were an Apostle of the Elves, I would laugh, and accept a battle of the fates... but you are a human. The arrogance.”
“...You mock me?”