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Part 4

———— The airborne castle. Second VIP room.

“…………….. It’s~~~~~so slow.”

Kasukabe Yō was feeling lonely as she sat on her wheelchair with her face pouted in a little tantrum.

Besides herself, there was no one else currently in the room so there was no one to talk to pass the time. if we were to list the things that she could do vent out her boredom, it would be the simple play of making “Clack Clack” noises with her wheelchair wheels. that was the only interesting thing that she could think off at the moment.

No, that’s not the real issue here. The problem wasn’t really about that boredom.

It has been over a few hours since she handed over her 「Genome Tree」 to Croix. She also intended to talk to Croix to find out about Izayoi, Asuka, and Kuro Usagi’s conditions. However, Croix had not returned since then. In the end, Yō could only play with her wheelchair making “clack clack” noises to pass the hours in boredom and ironically feeling frustrated with the fact that she was finding amusement in her little made-up game.

No, the problem did not lie there either.

(Thanks to not leaving the room, I was not informed as to when the strategy meeting starts.There's also no spare time for eating meals. Also no one is even coming over to visit..)

Clack. Clack. Clack. After many years, once again she found herself sitting on a wheelchair while making it move back and forth for the sounds.

She was considering the thought of simply going out with her wheelchair to wander around in search of Croix. However, the possibility of getting herself lost within the multitude of corridors made her drop this train of thought.

Just as she thought that there’s nothing else to do but to continue clacking around, Yō finally felt the presence of people on the other side of the room’s door.

“…… that’s all for the details. But don’t be too careless. We are basing the estimations from your current mobility so the possibility of a complete victory is not entirely lost.”

“Yeah, yeah Shinigami, I’ve gotten it the first time, so you needn’t repeat those lines like a broken record.”

An old man’s voice that had a suspicious quality to the tone and another voice that was starting to take on a familiar tone.

Yō immediately turned her wheelchair to charge out into the corridor.

“Izayoi!? Are you alright?”

Bang! Went the door as Yō let herself out of the room in a rush.

Izayoi had a look of slight surprise on his face but he soon recovered with a usual loud laugh while giving a nod of his head.

“Yo! You look fine as well….. or maybe not. You really can’t walk now?”

Izayoi’s smiling face turned serious as he expressed his concern. And it was evident that Izayoi had heard of Yō’s current condition from Croix.

On the other hand, Yō who was gazed by Izayoi’s slightly worried eyes, mustered her voice to reply in a tone that was as energetic as her usual self.

“It’s fine. I just need my 「Genome Tree」 to return to normal. Then I will be able to stand in battle with everyone this time. …… Am I right, Croix-san?”

“Yes, of course. And as promised, I will return the 「Genome Tree」 to you. But, before that, I’ll have to ask you about some matters, is that alright?”

“……sure.”

“Really? Then I will just be frank about this. I’m sure that you’ve heard of the 「Genome Tree」 and its connection to your parents…… then, regarding the type of Gift that it is crafted with, I’m sure that you would also have noticed something about it by now, am I right?”

Kasukabe gave a slight nod in response to Croix’s words.

It is said that the 「Genome Tree」 is a Gift created to defeat Demon Lords, and it simultaneously acted as the Gift that denies the existence of the theory championed by the creationists. And among the three problem children, Yō Kasukabe, who came from the furthest future, had some speculations of her own on the techniques that would be closest to this Gift.

“…… I get it somewhat because in my time period, the general idea is that the theory of creationism and evolution exists at the same time.”

“I see. So that’s the case…… Then, I have another question for you. In your world, ——- no , I mean in your time, were there any Gryphons?”

“Nn Mhm, but thinking about it logically, it might be possible for them to create man-made gryphons. Although international laws would have forbidden it, that sort of technique would be possible with the technology of our time.”

“…… I see. I get it now. All thanks to you, my years of pondering are finally quenched by your answers. The era that you come from is truly similar to the other time periods but yet different for it deviates largely from the end point of the time stream. Perhaps, it might even be considered as a world that works as an exception. Moreover, I believe that the series of events that I’ve experienced in the outside world might not even exist in the time stream that you belong to. And although it might be a coincidence, the philosophical perspective and techniques of your time is truly unique and apart from all the other observable time streams that I’ve seen. So, it’s truly a pity——“

“Oi!”

Swish! Izayoi lifted his hand to take a swipe at Croix’s bowler hat.

Being unusually serious in his conversation then, Croix was surprised by the sudden attack and he blinked stupidly for a moment before staring accusingly at Izayoi.

“……is something the matter, Izayoi-chan.”

“Is something the matter my foot! Although I can deduce a little from that rant, but please bother enough to put it in a way that I can grasp, okay?”

Izayoi stood at with arms akimbo as he spoke in irritation.

However, Croix who adjusted his bowler hat, only looked away with a thoughtful expression before shaking his head.

“Well, it’s still not the time to tell you about this. But I did promise to have the talk you wanted after the fight with Azi Dahaka right?”

“Hmph. What’s up with this kind of person who brings the topic up but brushes it aside when asked to clarify his own words.”

“You are right about that. But please understand that this is a question that has bugged me for several hundreds of years too. So I do promise to spill all that I know to you people after you guys are successful in defeating Azi Dahaka.”

In the end, the conversation stopped there.

However, if the Demon Lord Azi Dahaka embodies the 「Eschatology of the world」, one would then be suspicious about the existence of Kasukabe Yō. This is because from the few points that she had mentioned about her background even if it lacked details, one would be able to deduce that she was summoned from the distant future.

And if she came from a distant future that has avoided the end of the world, that would give an inkling into the reason for the survival and a key to figuring out the truth behind the spiritual source of Azi Dahaka.

(But there isn’t time to spend on pondering over such details for now. Although the causation of Azi Dahaka might be closely related to what they just discussed, Azi Dahaka isn’t an opponent who can be defeated just by wits alone.)

Izayoi got hold of himself and focused on the priorities once more. Although he might have been heavily injured before the fight then, his opponent had still left him hapless in their one on one duel. Stray thoughts of these sort would only serve to hamper his movements and invite a counter from the enemy. Therefore, Izayoi chose to shut his mouth and lean on the wall for now.

Just as Croix took out the 「Genome Tree」, voices that were familiar were echoing down the corridors.

“You, You shouldn’t be up yet, Jack-san! Your wounds are too severe to rejoin the front lines!”

“……Oh, this? It’s no problem at all. Because my body is immortal after all. Lily-ojou-chan should hurry up and take care of the other wounded instead.”

Having noted the familiarity of the voices, the trio exchanged glances before heading briskly towards the adjacent corridor.

And it was there that they saw Jack with his body swathed in bandages and leaning on the wall while facing the fox girl Lily who was coercing him to rest.

It was evident enough what the duo were arguing about along the corridors and no questions were needed to further clarify their speculations.

Interrupting their commotion, Izayoi scratched his head while walking towards Jack with his usual smile.

“Yo, Jack. Thanks for the help that was a little on the side of being late. It’s the first time that I’ve seen you in your human form, but it seems to be more troublesome than your pumpkin form huh? If you do plan to quietly return to the sick bay, I’m willing to lend you a shoulder, you know?”

“……Izayoi-dono. You are already up? And here I was thinking that your injuries looked worse than mine when I last saw you.”

“Ah, don’t worry about me. As you can see, I’m alive and well. It’s said that one’s daily actions are really important because this is all the work of the Unicorn Horn that was given to us during the course of our adventures. It turns out to be a really great Gift that is able to heal my injuries of even that extent. However, it’s a pity that it’s only usable for a person.”

And Izayoi completed his story before Jack could ask the questions.

So Jack, whose unasked questions had been answered, could only shake his head with a wry smile.

“Is that so?…… I would also like to rest in the sick bay for a while, but it really is despicable of me to face my back to the enemy when I’m one of the Hosts.”

“Your opponent would never care for those sort of naïve thoughts. …… Mah, if I were to speak my mind, I’m truly interested in your Game——- in fact, it’s to the point where my heart quivers with curiosity and I would salivate in anticipation. However, we can’t afford to lose you in this place now, so please leave it to us to handle the rest.”

Izayoi said flatly and he was unusually honest about his words.

After all, if we were to talk about the search for the truth behind the mysterious killer whose identity is unknown to all——Jack the Ripper]’s Game to search for his true identity, Izayoi would never say no to that challenge. In fact, he would be excited and perhaps even to the extent of trying to make an enemy out of Jack if it weren’t for the Alliance forged between their Communities.

But putting aside that curiosity, it would really be a waste to lose Jack.

And that was a high praise coming from a self-proclaimed hedonist.

Waiting at the side, Yō also wheeled herself over to coax Jack.

“Jack, it’s just as Izayoi says. If you die now, many children would be sad about your passing. The current you is Jack the clown and not Jack the mass murderer.”

「Jack o’ lantern」.

The most welcomed character in the Halloween festival and the most loved monster by the kids. His fans were not limited to his own Community and even Asuka was one of them.

If he were to die, many kids would cry for his loss.

“Jack-san……”

Lily held Jack’s hand as she coaxed him to return to the room.

Getting coaxed in three different ways by three different individuals, Jack closed his eyes while hanging his head dejectedly.

Then, Jack broke out in a self-mocking laughter.


“…… Hoho. Jack the clown, is it? If that’s the real me, it would be all so good.”

“Aye?”

“Izayoi-dono, Kasukabe-chan, and Lily-chan, I’ve killed before. Be it young boys, girls and kids, I’ve killed them all. Not for a greater goal but to sate my own desires for achieving art in murders.”

“…….!?”

“The me of those days would take a young child who was screaming for his daddy and mummy and I would chop off his arm to form an arch while attaching it to a decapitated head with its expression frozen at its moment of death to form a lantern. The last agonizing screams before their deaths would be my lullaby before my sleep and that is the existence that is the source of the monster named “Jack” before his reincarnation…… Even after knowing all that, could you still call me a clown?”

The trio were stumped for words as the ghastly scene painted by his descriptions made it impossible to find praises or compliments to overshadow his deeds. However, the Jack that he described was entirely impossible to picture out from his recent actions in the battles that they had.

During the battle against Leticia whose form was demonised to attack 「Underwood」, Jack had been the first to protect the kids in the airborne castle.

When Sandora had fallen into the hands of Demon Lord of Confusion, Jack’s anger had also been roused in the battle that ensued.

The one who protected and loved the kids and the one who is loved and cared for by them in turn, this pumpkin monster had his spiritual source stemming from a mass murderer of children. And that was something even Izayoi did not expect.

Croix pressed his bowler hat as he spoke.

“…… I see. It has been passed down in folklores that the legend of 「Jack o’ lantern」 is a person who has been through many reincarnations. And among them all is a commonality of “Jack being a villain who is beyond salvation”. After all, it was the same for his second chance. The Jack who cried to plead for a second chance at turning a new leaf for his next life, continued to be tainted with his evil ways in his second life.”

“That’s right. My real identity is “Jack the Ripper” who plunged London into fear. I’m unable to wash off my bloodstained past.” Jack stared at his bandaged hands before covering his face in anguish.

He, who had experienced the warmth of humans’ innards, was now leaning on a wall for support as he trembled from his emotional breakdown.

“In his rage of having been lied to by a person like me, Saint Peter then sentenced me to be thrown into a void that left me in a state of neither life nor death. Without light or darkness and it was a void world that served as a prison for me.”

“……”

“And within that hell devoid of all things, I was not even allowed to take my own life. I was left there for such a long time that it felt as if I was melding and assimilating with the void zone. It was then that a young girl appeared to gift me a small flame. That was the young demon who happened to be……. My master. Willa The Ignis Fatuus, a semi-celestial spirit who fell from candidacy.”[3]

A young girl who manifested from the breath of the Earth to be the embodiment of the demon who holds sway over life and death.

Although her spiritual power may not be of the level similar to the Great Sage who Unifies Heaven who was born from the depths of the planet’s abyss, it was an undeniable fact that she was a child created by the planet.

“Begging the young demon who just happened to be without much understanding of her surroundings, I managed to leave the hell of emptiness to get back to the surface. By then, the layers of my soul had already been weathered away by my experience in the void zone. And it was then that watching the smile of that innocent baby, Willa…… that I finally understood the enormity of what I had done in the past!!!”

Having spent sufficient time in the void to lose the outer layers of his soul, Jack’s insanity had been stripped with time’s passing. And if we were to convert the time spent into the concept of time in human sense, it would be a period that is close to being an infinite amount of time. Therefore, this led Jack into developing a third person persona that allowed himself to introspect his deeds during and before his imprisonment.

To introspect on the ‘him’ who had the same face as a certain someone. He who was drenched in the showers of blood, taking delight in helping them draw their last breaths and from their looks of despair.

However, what awaited the reformed him was a hell that was far worse than the void prison that he had escaped from.

It was the conscience that he had gained from the erasure of his insanity that was able to comprehend the enormity of his crimes. He understood that he would never be able to make up for his sins even if he forsook his life.

“When I took on my human form for the battle…… I was shown a dream. A dream of my past self, killing Willa, Aisha and Asuka and playing with their corpses to desecrate them further……!!!”

Perhaps, the dream is a punishment given to him by Saint Peter to bring the persona that revelled in its evil insanity to be judged before the kinder self that had awoken from its insanity.

And there couldn’t be anything else that would be able to top that sort of torture to the current Jack.

“My sins are so heavy that it would never be paid in full even if I were to offer my life as the price. So I swore to myself then to become a wandering spirit…… and offer my whole life span to pay for my sins. That is the vow I had with Willa when she handed me the pumpkin mask. Putting on the Pumpkin body and throwing away the worn tattered rag, I then gave a smile that would be seen and remembered by thousands as a way to atone for my sins of having caused thousands of regretful screams. And if there are people who would obstruct our way…… I swore to transform my entire existence into a weapon to take down enemy.”

Jack lifted his head to watch the others as a steely determination backed by an abundance of emotions was reflected in his eyes.

And thus no one coaxed him to rest any further. No, that’s not it. It was the situation that everyone understood that no words would be able to change his mind even if they wanted to get him to rest. For it would not be to no avail to try and change the mind of a man who swore to devote his all to protect the smiles of the children.

As a result, Kasukabe Yō had chosen to look down as she found herself at a loss for words to say; Baron Croix chose to press down his bowler hat; and Lily was wagging her two tails while having a pale look on her face.

Only one person…… Sakamaki Izayoi, continued to look at Jack straight in the eye without any expression on his face.

“——--”

And having heard of Jack’s past, Izayoi moved over to place Jack’s arm over his shoulder while maintaining his straight look.

It wasn’t that Izayoi is not an expressive person. But it was impossible to guess his thoughts from his current expression. Perhaps it was rage? Contempt? Or even other types of emotions? Who knows? However, Izayoi who lent his shoulder to Jack, stood his ground for a moment……and suddenly, seeming to have remembered something, Izayoi spoke in a low voice.

“……Jack”

“Mhm.”

“I, respect you.”

——Wha? Jack let out a small surprised gasp.

Jack widened his eyes as he started to doubt if Izayoi had heard his story correctly.

It was plain to see that Izayoi’s words were really unexpected.

“Izayoi-dono……that’s”

“Don’t get me wrong. If it were the old you from before, I would immediately erase your existence, Jack. Regarding the crimes that you have committed and the punishment you received, I have not a shred of sympathy for that.”

In Izayoi’s eyes, young boys and girls were part of the vulnerable population in a society. They who had not stabilized their concepts of the world, did not deserve to carry the burden of choosing between the good and the bad. There is not a need to use words to chide such an individual who would mercilessly slaughter hapless children.

Such an individual would only deserve the punch that could shake the stars to rain down harshly upon their body.

Therefore, the respect that Izayoi referred to would be for his appearance while seeking to repent and pay for his sins.

“What we know of as the Human race is actually a breed of creatures that tend to favour themselves in the decision making process. To continue fighting to pay for your sins when it is evidently impossible to clear that debt, is something that isn’t possible for most people. In addition to that, your case would be a constant nightmare when you continue to stay in that battle state.”

A determination to continue the battle to protect children that would mean the same transformation into his murderous appearance for every battle that a strong foe appears. And that would be accompanied by his nightmares.

——-For the same of giving the children a future and a blessed life.

It did not matter that he would have to face his past once more to experience the pains that would have buckled anyone’s knees. It was this sort of determination of facing one’s sins and working to pay the debt that Izayoi referred to as the radiance that caught his eye.

“Jack, I understand your determination. But no one will have an issue with this if you were to leave the rest to me from here on.”

“…… Is that okay?”

“Ahh, but if there’s an opening for you to target that lizard’s head, please do so. After all, the opponent is a godly being named “Absolute Evil” and hitting him might just reduce your nightmarish punishment right?”

Izayoi laughed as he cracked the joke in a light-hearted tone.

It was then that Jack’s expression softened as he used the same light-hearted tone to reply.

“Yahoho…… Mhm, sounds good. I also do not want to be shackled down by that old pervert all the time. It would be for the best if I can serve my time completely and break away from any relations with him.”

“…… he’s an old pervert?”

“Mhm. After all, the body that was given to me during my reincarnation…… No, I guess I will just leave it at that.”

Jack’s eyes were distant and it seemed like he was remembering some really bad memories.

However, their situation was far from optimistic.

Kasukabe Yō called out to Croix and stretched her right hand out to him.

“Everyone’s joining the battle with their various convictions. It’s just not possible for me to be the only one who sits out on the battle.”

“…… you are right about that. We will be needing the the 「Genome Tree」’s power in the upcoming battle.”

And saying so, Croix took out the 「Genome Tree」 from his right breast pocket to hand it to Yō.

The feeling of the 「Genome Tree」 in her hands filled her up with the sensation of its spiritual power. Clutching the necklace tightly, Yō then directed the strength to her immobile legs.

Simultaneously as she felt the boost in strength across her entire body, Yō could also tell that there was a familiar warmth in her heart as she used the power.

“…..is that so. It was dad who repaired the 「Genome Tree」 right?”

“Eh, that’s……!”

“It’s alright. I understand. After all, it is this sort of situation and there should be things that Dad needs to do. So, I’ll just have to concentrate on my part of the fight.”

Yō rested the Genome Tree on her chest.

Knowing that her father was near and fighting for the same goal, just knowing that was able to give Yō such a happy smile.

And seeing that smile, Baron Croix quietly made a vow.

After the end of this battle…… even if I need to tie a rope around that neck of his, I will also drag that coward of a father to face his daughter.

Translator's Notes and Comments

1.    ↑ [magrefnotes: Just noticed that 眷属 is not entirely a herald. It connotes a closer, more intimate bloodline /family relation similar to descendants. For simplicity sake, I will just continue using herald.]

2.    ↑ [magrefnotes: atavism- the throwback of an organism to have a manifestation of a trait or character typical of an ancestral form usually due to genetic recombination (rephrased a little from Merriam Webster)]

3.    ↑ [magrefnotes: As from translator HongLian: Due to the distinction mentioned in volume 3 on the difference between “born” and “happened”, we will retain the original word of happened to stick to the idea of the author]



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