A distant fragment of the past.
During a mission, Ezekiel suddenly stopped.
The surroundings were ablaze.
Corpses of enemies lay scattered everywhere.
Usually someone who didn’t ponder much, today his head felt particularly dazed. It was a symptom that doctors would diagnose as panic.
The ending of his missions was always like this, just with a change of time and place. Would he really have to live like this for the rest of his life? Killing, killing, and killing again.
Then it happened.
“Captain!”
A desperate cry called out to Ezekiel, and an enemy aiming for his back was swiftly split in two.
Chwak!
“…”
Ezekiel silently watched the back of the enemy who had turned into a corpse. Their lifeless gaze somehow resembled his own.
Was he truly alive?
Can this be called living?
“Captain, what are you thinking during battle?”
Mirabel.
The deputy commander of the Balance organization questioned while dusting her hands off.
“Hmm…”
Ezekiel kept a moment of silence before shaking his head as if to say it was nothing.
“Nothing. I just zoned out for a moment.”
He brushed the dust off his clothes while munching on some sunweed. Mirabel grinned.
“Isn’t the battlefield a place where you can only endure by losing your mind? We’ve been fighting for a whole week.”
“True.”
“…Huh? You seem oddly sad today.”
“Don’t worry about it. And I told you to speak casually.”
Ezekiel replied to Mirabel.
The oldest among the Balance members, Mirabel was a warrior that suited the term “battle-hardened veteran.”
“You keep saying that. There’s a hierarchy, how can I speak casually just because I’m older?”
“Because it makes me uncomfortable.”
“Ha, that stings. You could at least acknowledge my loyalty and take it kindly.”
Ezekiel merely turned away.
“Let’s return.”
“Ugh, we have no time even for casual talk.”
Mirabel followed Ezekiel quietly, her hands clasped behind her neck.
“There were some useful items in the warehouse, why don’t we take a few? The other members would probably like them.”
“I don’t do things outside the mission.”
“Ah, okay….”
Mirabel was quite personable like that.
Even the members who feared Ezekiel regarded Mirabel as a mother figure. They were all from unfortunate backgrounds, and Mirabel’s unique motherly demeanor was very well received.
How long had they walked?
Suddenly, Mirabel broke the silence.
“Captain, I’ve been thinking lately.”
“What is it?”
“Is there any meaning in living like this? There’s nothing left of our records; once Balance is gone, who will remember us?”
Ezekiel was momentarily speechless.
The reason he had been zoning out was the exact same concern Mirabel was pondering.
He pretended to be calm, for he bore the weight of being the captain and could not show weakness.
“Don’t think about useless things.”
“Hmm, it’s not useless.”
For some reason, Mirabel contradicted Ezekiel’s words.
“When I have time later, I plan to come up with something that will ensure our memories live on. Even if I look like this, I’ve got some knowledge of magic.”
“Futile efforts.”
“I don’t mind being forgotten, but I can’t stand the thought of the others being forgotten. Everyone worked so hard, including you…”
Ezekiel lightly poked Mirabel’s head.
Roughly done, but it was meant to be a gentle pat. Wouldn’t he want to improve the treatment of his comrades too?
He just couldn’t. He was trained only in the arts of killing and didn’t know how.
Maybe that’s why he found Mirabel’s words admirable.
“If that really happens someday….”
He hoped it would. It would indeed be a joy to see.
Then suddenly, a fork in the road appeared before them. It was time to part ways; their respective missions were different.
“I’ll go to the right. I have to return quickly and support the 5th Princess. Are you staying in the Demon Realm, Captain?”
“Yeah. The Demon Lord is still alive.”
“Captain.”
Mirabel’s voice suddenly grew serious.
“Let’s make a light promise before I go. If something happens to me, please record as much as possible about the members and spread it.”
“…What are you suddenly talking about?”
Ezekiel asked, bewildered.
As Mirabel returned to the continent and Ezekiel remained in the Demon Realm, the odds of survival were much higher for Ezekiel. So why was she saying such things out of nowhere?
“You’re the kind who would survive even if you fell to hell. I’m just not feeling like I used to. Please record every single member in detail…”
She lifted her arms high as if imagining something pleasant.
“…And announce it to everyone! That there were people who worked hard for the continent like us!”
“Do it yourself. Survive. By any means.”
“…”
At that, Mirabel blinked in silence for a moment, as if realizing something.
Ezekiel then asked.
“What’s wrong? Why are you standing there like that?”
“Nothing, just…”
Mirabel scratched her head.
“What you just said sounds like an order to me. That I must survive and do it myself… I understand. I will somehow manage.”
“Stop mumbling. I’m busy. I’m leaving.”
Ezekiel shook his head and started walking down one path of the fork.
From behind, Mirabel shouted loudly.
“Captain, that was clearly an order, right? Once commanded, I’ll do it no matter what happens, you know!”
“Just survive. Don’t make things worse.”
“Yes!”
But they would never reunite.
In the Demon Realm, plans were repeatedly set in motion to assassinate the princesses, and Mirabel ultimately met her end during her mission.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Yes.
It had definitely happened.
“…Mirabel?”
Ezekiel muttered in disbelief. Before him stood an old man who looked as if he had lost his mind.
No mistake.
It was sure; there was not a trace left of her glorious past, but it was undoubtedly Mirabel. He could recognize his comrade.
The fact that Mirabel was alive was great news, but he couldn’t rejoice knowing she was in such a state.
What on earth happened?
A comrade he once cherished more than his own life was living in a pitiful manner, leading an unhuman life. His expression soured.
“Mirabel, do you recognize me?”
He grabbed her shoulders and asked.
…It was, of course, pointless.
“Not done yet—! Concentrate—!”
Her eyes were completely unfocused, and she was just repeatedly shouting words only she could understand. It was unmistakably a sign of someone who had lost their sanity.
Ezekiel rubbed his face in despair.
“Mirabel, what happened to you…?”
But then it happened.
“Stop!”
A bold voice pierced Ezekiel’s ear.
Immediately, a girl stretched out her arms, blocking the space between Mirabel and Ezekiel. Her eyes were filled with wariness.
“How do you know my mom’s name? Where did you come from? We didn’t do anything wrong! Don’t hurt her!”
She rushed her words out. It seemed the girl was worried that Ezekiel might harm Mirabel.
But what bothered Ezekiel more was something else.
“…Mom?”
The girl nodded.
“We didn’t do anything wrong! Nothing wrong at all!”
Now that he looked closer, there was no choice but to think of her as a daughter. She resembled Mirabel in her prime.
So it seemed she had built a family and found some happiness. It would have been nice if she could live happily to the end, but seeing her in such a disheveled state was both heartwarming and extremely bitter.
“Do you know the mage in charge of the Spirit Trap, Ophelia?”
“That crazy woman who always talks about breaking the Spirit Trap? Of course I know her.”
“That woman sent us here.”
“I knew it!”
The girl continued with determination.
“If she’s trying to sabotage our research, she should just turn back! We’re just quietly working without causing harm to anyone! Why is she so eager to drive us away?!”
“I told you I’m not here to cause harm.”
“Then why are you here? Investigating names and all!”
He could tell her he came seeking assistance for the repair, but Ezekiel was more curious about the girl’s attitude.
He could see it clearly. No matter how loud she shouted, it was evident; the girl was terrified.
“I won’t go! I can’t go! Not until the Spirit Trap is completed!”
The reason was clear; it stemmed from her desire to complete the Spirit Trap, but Ezekiel couldn’t help but wonder.
What on earth is this girl so obsessed with the Spirit Trap for?
Without realizing, he asked.
“Is there a reason for your obsession with the Spirit Trap?”
“The Spirit Trap…”
And then.
After a moment, the girl spat out words that were entirely outside of Ezekiel’s expectations.
“…The Spirit Trap is a gift that my mom dedicated her whole life to preparing. Nobody can touch it!”
Gift.
Strangely enough, the girl referred to the Spirit Trap as a gift.
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