Rokujouma no Shinryakusha!? - Volume 28 - Chapter 5

Disappearance

Tuesday, March 29th

As the whirlpool of chaos disappeared, the spy returned to his normal appearance. Just as Koutarou and the girls had suspected, underneath it all, the spy still maintained his sense of self. That was what allowed him to return to his normal self after being cut off from the whirlpool—his attachment to his powerful feelings of love for his wife, his child, and his country.

“Aika-san, how does he look?”

“He’s not in a good shape. Temporarily letting that thing take control seems to have put a lot of strain on his psyche...”

According to Maki’s analysis, the spy was able to return to his normal body without a problem. What had really been damaged while coming into contact with the whirlpool was his mind. The uncontrolled power of raw chaos was simply too much for normal humans to handle. And after it had taken over his mind, even though it wasn’t for long, it had run rampant and left him in mental shambles. It was uncertain if he’d ever wake up again in this state.

“So in the worst case, he’s in a vegetative state, but even if he does come to...” Koutarou trailed off.

“If he had trained his mind and had magic to protect him like Purple did, it probably wouldn’t have been this bad,” said Maki.

“Can’t we do something?” asked Clan.

“While I don’t really want to do so without permission, I think the best we could do is erase all of his memories after coming into contact with the whirlpool,” Maki replied.

In order to return the spy to normal, they’d need to use magic to brainwash him. The chaos had had such a profound effect on him that they would try and abate its influence by erasing his memories of it. Maki wouldn’t have thought twice about doing such a thing in the past, but now she was hesitating. Though the man’s mind had been tainted by chaos, she didn’t like the idea of doing anything against someone’s will.

“Aika-san, that thing broke his mind. It’s better for him to return it to how things used to be, even if it doesn’t make that much difference in the end. No matter what, it’ll be better than how things are now. If we leave him be, he’ll just be wandering through a nightmare until death finds him.”

Koutarou believed firmly that they should erase his memories. He might never wake up as things were, and if they did nothing until then, the nightmares would just eat away at his mind. In other words, he would end up twisted and corrupted by chaos even though he was cut off from the whirlpool. So between that and trying to help him, erasing his memories was the right thing to do as far as Koutarou was concerned. It was best for this man, as well as his family and the people he was trying to protect.

“Sadly, we can’t always help everyone the way we’d want to. So I need you to step and do this, Aika-san. That’s an order.”

“...Thank you for that, Satomi-kun... I’ve gotten very weak lately...”

After meeting Koutarou and the others and learning what it meant to have true friends, Maki had faced all kinds of worries she never had before. This was a good example. Even though she knew what Koutarou was asking was the logical thing to do, she couldn’t help thinking—hoping—that there was a better solution somewhere, somehow. So Koutarou making it an order was a saving grace to Maki. She thought of Koutarou’s desires as her own, so she could do this if he wanted her to. Steeling herself, Maki readied her staff.

“I’ll take responsibility,” said Koutarou.

“No, we will take responsibility,” responded Maki.

“She’s right. I support this too,” added Clan.

After that, Maki cast several spells to mend the spy’s mind. She erased the memories that were taxing his psyche, restored the damaged parts of his mind, and more. And she cast each and every spell with the utmost care so that he would wake up as close as possible to his original self. While she had reservations about what she was doing, once she got started, there was no hesitation in Maki’s actions. That was something of a relief for Koutarou, but as Maki was treating the spy, a new worry crossed his mind. It was about the whirlpool of chaos he’d fought against several times now.

For starters, why does that unpleasant whirlpool only ever materialize around us...?

Considering the characteristics of the whirlpool, it wouldn’t be strange for it to appear on the other side of the planet or even the universe and cause all kinds of galactically-scaled problems. But it only ever seemed to materialze near Koutarou and the others, and powered up their enemies. As far as he knew, it only showed up when they were around.

“That’s a gloomy face you have there, Veltlion.”

Noticing Koutarou’s pensive face, Clan’s hologram moved closer to get a better look at him.

“Mm... Yeah, I was just thinking about something.”

“About what?”

“Just that we’re getting a little too familiar with that whirlpool.”

Since it wasn’t anything worth hiding, Koutarou honestly told her what was on his mind.

“Now that you mention it, we have been running into it lately. But it’s all technically related to Folsaria, so doesn’t that make sense?”

“I can’t deny that. This time it happened here, the former center of Darkness Rainbow’s activities.”

Clan’s suggestion fit with Koutarou’s impressions. If the overuse of magic or spiritual energy was what brought about the whirlpool, it wasn’t strange that they were coming into contact with them. After all, they were always fighting against the misuse of magic and such powers.

“But compared to you guys coming to Earth so grandly, this is nothing.”

“How rude! I can’t have you comparing me to such bothersome things!”

“Don’t worry. I’m only talking about importance.”

Koutarou was smiling, but he was bracing himself inside. If Clan was right, the spreading of magic and spiritual energy would mean the spreading of the whirlpool of chaos. That was an incredibly dangerous prospect. So in order to avoid that future, Koutarou and the others would have to try their hardest to keep the secrets of the Folsarians and the People of the Earth safe.

After Maki finished treating the spy, they let the Sun Rangers take over handling the incident. That was what they’d planned on doing from the start. It was going to take experts to check up on the spy who’d had his memory erased and to investigate the movements of the Melgaard Republic. It would also take serious resources to interfere with the spies’ communication and manipulate information. In other words, they needed the help of a powerful organization like the Sun Rangers.

“I see... The monster from that time...”

Kenichi listened to Koutarou’s report with a very serious expression on his face. As the Sun Rangers had been involved with the battle against Tayuma, they knew about the whirlpool of chaos. Kenichi had realized at the time that the situation might take a turn for the worse, so he’d already been thinking about countermeasures for just that scenario.

“Red Shine, I think we should get them moved as quickly as possible.”

“Yeah. I don’t think there’s any place in Japan, or really, any place in this world where they’d be safe.”

Japan was too small to hide the People of the Earth and the Folsarians. And there were more people than ever after their secrets. If nothing was done about it, magic and spiritual energy technology would spread, causing trouble all over the world. It would create endless opportunities for the whirlpool of chaos to be summoned, which would be a dark time indeed.

“They have developing planets over there. Forthorthe could probably give them their own world where no one could touch them.”

“That would be a great solution for everyone. I’ll try steering the top brass in that direction.”

“Please do.”

Koutarou and the others welcomed the fact that Sun Rangers were playing a sort of intermediary between the nation of Japan, and the underground dwellers and Folsarians. Since they understood the real situation at hand, they had everyone’s best interests in mind and could act accordingly. But it went both ways. The Sun Rangers were grateful that Koutarou and the others were intermediaries between Earth and Forthorthe.

“Red Shine, compared to now, things were much easier when we were fighting side by side.”

“You’re right. We only needed to fight back then.”

The two men looked at each other and smirked. In the past, they’d only needed to fight alongside their allies. But things were more complicated now. They were no longer just soldiers.

“I’d prefer to be fighting, don’t get me wrong, but I know in my heart that it’s good we’re not.”

“Yeah, it’ll be better if things just continue this way.”

When they were done talking, Koutarou and Kenichi held their arms out and lightly bumped fists. It was like an unofficial salute between two soldiers who’d fought in the same war together. They’d both climbed the ranks since those days, but they held a great deal of respect for each other.

“Welcome back, Satomi-kun.”

“...Are you already done?”

Maki and Clan both greeted Koutarou in their own way as he returned from talking with Kenichi. Both of them were smiling.

“Yeah. This strange job is over for us, so let’s go home.”

They’d completed their real goal at hand. They’d successfully protected Yurika and Kiriha’s cover as normal high school students, and planted the fake evidence to make the spies believe Theia was an Earthling. The fight at the end had been unexpected, but ultimately, everything had been resolved. All that was left was red tape and politics, so Koutarou and the girls let the Sun Rangers take over from here.

Koutarou took the two girls and hurried home. The sun had already set, so it had gotten quite dark outside. On the promenade coming out of the forest in the park, the only light they had to guide them was a streetlamp some meters ahead.

“Satomi-kun, even though we’re not used to it, I think there will be a lot more work like this in the future. We should get more used to it if we can,” said Maki.

“The Sun Rangers are lamenting that too,” answered Koutarou.

“I hear they were promoted quite a lot,” added Clan.

“When it comes to fighting suspicious people, they’re the best after all. They’re just having a hard time adjusting to being on the side giving orders.”

“A little like you, who went from a civilian from an unrelated nation to the commander-in-chief of an empire, Veltlion.”

“Having gone from a neanderthal to commander-in-chief, my relationship with Her Highness has changed quite a bit.”

“Again with that!”

Though their surroundings were dark, the atmosphere around Koutarou and the two girls was bright and cheerful. Finally relaxing a bit after their troublesome task for the day, they were in high spirits. They’d finished their work, and everyone was safe. Once they got back to room 106, their smiles would surely become even brighter.

“Ook, ook, ook!”

“...I really will kill you some day.”

“Ook?”

“Eeeeek!”

“Come on now, Clan-san. I’ll give you a banana, so calm down.”

“Maki, are you aware that your behavior has been on the malicious side recently?”

“That’s what I’ve been going for.”

“That’s not something you should be going for!”

“Keep at it, Aika-san! What else are friends for?”

“O-Ook?”

“Come on!”

Years ago, not one of them would have ever expected to end up like this. Koutarou lived alone in room 106, Clan was scheming to entrap the other princesses, and Maki didn’t know how to trust in other people. Things had changed for the better for all of them, and in ways they never imagined.

“Joking aside...”

“Hey, don’t just change the subject!”

“Listen, things aren’t going to be as simple as just defeating our opponents anymore. I agree with what Aika-san said.”

“Even if we defeat one enemy, someone else will come to take their place. And they’ll grow wary and change their approach. That’s why we need to find them immediately. We’ll let them move about freely and think things are going their way, but manipulate them like this from the shadows.”

“So we’ll be relying on you, Clan.”

“I won’t forgive you even if you say that!”

“I know. That’s why I made you angry. It’s hard to say things like that when you’re serious.”

“You twisted, good-for-nothing ingrate!”

“It looks to me like he’s being kind, though.”

“I know that! That’s what makes it so aggravating!”

“Oh my.”

They’d surely be faced with all sorts of trouble from here on out. But they would be able to overcome it as long as they were with each other. And then they’d go back to living their ordinary daily lives together. That was the strength of the bond they’d come to build over the past two years, and that was why Koutarou could smile even after what they’d just been through.

“Why can’t you just be honest?!”

“If I’m honest... You know.”

“Know what?! Say it!”

“If I’m being honest, I might soon end up doing or saying something serious.”

“Then get on with it!”

“Are you stupid?! As if I could do something that irresponsible!”

Watching the two of them, Maki thought to herself that while Koutarou and Theia’s exclusive way of communicating might be fistfights, Koutarou and Clan’s might be shouting matches. No matter what they yelled at each other, it had absolutely no effect on their relationship afterwards. And when they shouted at each other, it was like they were on the exact same level. Like they only had eyes for each other. Maki felt it was just the same as his fights with Theia. So she watched on with a smile, and that smile was proof that her own bonds with Koutarou and the others had grown stronger and deeper.

“Satomi-kun, shout at me too.”

“I can’t do that, Aika-san. You’re precious to me.”

“Why can’t you say things like that to me, Veltlion?!”

“That’d just be weird!”

Comparing her own relationship with Koutarou to his with Clan, Maki felt like there was still some distance between them. But it was only slight. Her relationship with Koutarou had always been different from the other girls’. But now, with the crest on her forehead, she felt at at ease about it. Even if there was still some distance between them, that crest made her feel sure she’d make it up in no time.

Am I really allowed to be this happy...? Just two years ago, I was an ice cold, evil magical girl. It’s like that was all a dream now...

She knew that hardship awaited them. Things would surely be dangerous. There would inevitably be times she wasn’t smiling. But even knowing that, Maki was happy. It wasn’t too much or too little; it was just the right amount of happiness. She was right where she belonged, and Maki relished that from the bottom of her heart.

“Aika-san always holds back, so I have to be nice to her!”

“It’s not like I’m holding back... I like being like this. I don’t want to interfere, just to watch over... It’s... hard to express...”

“So why can’t you be nice to me too?!”

“You’re always demanding things of me, so why would I?!”

“Grrr, you always have a comeback! Jeez!”

All Maki wanted was to give and receive that happiness. She earnestly believed that was everything, and that she didn’t need anything else.

I wouldn’t have any regrets if I died right now... I’m sure I would be reborn over and over, and come to Satomi-kun’s side every time...

There was nothing to fear. Even if the unfortunate ending of death awaited her, Maki was sure that would be able to return to her beloved, just like Alaia had. She was confident she loved him just as much and would be able to do the same.

“But still... Where has the Aika-san who loved money and asked me for everything gone?”

“She’s still here. But I now know that money was just an easy way to make a connection with people. But now I have something even better engraved on my forehead.”

“...That’s the result of the connection, and not the connection itself.”

“Yes, but it’s proof of it. It’s like that bond given form, and that means everything to a girl.”

“I guess I should just be happy you can talk about being a girl and girly things so naturally now...”

“But I’m still unhappy!”

“You really are persistent, Clan...”

Koutarou and Clan went right back into their umpteenth quarrel. Maki smiled at them before looking up at the moon.

Crimson, I’m happily living my life now. What about you? Are you getting along with everyone? Knowing you, you’re being stubborn and making people angry, aren’t you?

Staring into the night sky, Maki’s thoughts turned to her faraway friend. Listening to Koutarou and Clan bicker, she recalled her own feisty friend.

Maybe I don’t need to worry about that since you all went to save Green. Heehee, if it’s possible, I’d love to hear your stories the next time we meet...

Maki prayed for her old friend’s happiness. She now had plenty of other people she cared about, too. And she wasn’t just focused on her friends anymore; no, she was trying to help them save the whole world. That may have been the most compelling sign of the change that had come over Maki. Something like that would have been a giant leap for the person Maki used to be, but it was just a baby step for who she was now.

Huh...?

All of a sudden, Maki’s body was suddenly surrounded by a soft indigo light. When she held her hand up to her face to get a better look at it, it appeared to be transparent. She could see Koutarou and Clan right through it. It was as though her body was slowly losing its substance, and melting away into the light.

Satomi-ku...

Maki instinctively tried to call out to her beloved. It wasn’t that she wanted him to do something. She just wanted to talk to him once more before she disappeared. She knew this would wound him deeply. But no matter how much she screamed, she would never reach the boy just a few meters in front of her. Her body was already fading into the indigo light, and her voice vanished along with her.

I see... The promised time has come... The time for our final trial...

Maki didn’t feel any fear. When the light wrapped around her, she had come to understand everything. Why she was here, why she was disappearing, what would happen from here on, and what that meant. And with that understanding, Maki only wished for one thing.

I hope that we will be able to overcome the final trial...

Everything was to that end. The long way the invaders had come was all to make a small miracle possible in their last trial. Everything had led up to this, and everything was starting to take shape around it. And all Maki could do was pray. She wouldn’t be the one who would make the miracle happen.

I love you, Satomi-kun. I will believe that you feel the same way...

With that prayer, Maki vanished with the light, and up until the very end, she never doubted the strength of the bond she had with her friends and her beloved.

“...Aika-san?”

The moment Maki vanished, Koutarou turned around. He felt like he’d heard her call out to him.

“Huh?”

But Maki wasn’t there. He looked around, yet still didn’t see her anywhere. All there seemed to be was a chilly wind whirling in the area.

“What’s the matter?”

“Aika-san is gone.”

“Did she go somewhere?”

“Knowing Aika-san, she might have spotted someone suspicious.”

Clan and Koutarou searched for Maki together, but they would never find her.