Chapter 75

The Power Balance of the Original Protagonist and Characters of the Original Work is Difficult (my eyes, back, shoulder, and neck all hur

The Power Balance of the Original Protagonist and Characters of the Original Work is Difficult

(my eyes, back, shoulder, and neck all hurt)

The girl in black's fist caught the angel in white.

With a dark fist wrapped around her right hand like a boxing glove, T. P. Eight Olishua struck Keter's body even through his guard, sending him flying.

A jet-black aura enveloped Eight's entire body. In an instant, the girl drew closer with incredible speed and pressed the attack.

She tried to strike Keter’s face again with her darkness-clad fist, but it was blocked by the cross scepter he had at the ready.

However, Eight’s offensive wasn’t over yet.

Spreading her ten wings, she quickly retreated half a step, then flew darting side to side repeatedly, confusing her enemy. The darkness that had wrapped her right arm transformed, not into a fist, but into the shape of a sword.

"Sei!"

『Fu…』

Eight, who had transformed her dark aura into a sword, locked against Keter’s cross staff, which was wrapped in a white brilliance.

Each time their slashes crossed, a thunderous roar resounded, sending waves of force scattering through the sky like sparks.

──The battle between two ten-winged archangels was so heroic that it was beautiful.

When one was hit, the other countered, and as they got entangled with each other with light and darkness reversing courses as if kicking invisible walls, the two archangels raced through the sky at equal speed.

Due to the difference in their physiques, Keter had the advantage in direct clashes.

Even while wielding a cross scepter, which was unsuitable for boujutsu, his swings pressed and cut Eight’s dark sword, and he fired a ray of light at her exposed torso from his free right hand. (tl note: Boujutsu is the Japanese martial art of stick fighting)

Eight, thrown off balance, immediately turned over and swung her right leg up as if performing a back hip circle in midair, kicking Keter’s left arm. It altered the line of fire of the beam, but Eight remained at a disadvantage.

Not missing the opening, Keter tackled her with his right shoulder and sent her flying.

“! Not bad…!”

『...』

Even as she was blown away, T.P. Eight Olishua never lost her smile of composure.

Holding down the hem of her long skirt, which was boldly lifted up by the wind, she twisted her body again and regained her stance.

Looking down at Eight, who had a provocative expression, Keter created ten spheres of light, each fifty centimeters in diameter, and launched them simultaneously.

Each one of the shots of light carried enough power to bring certain death to any human.

Eight, who tensed her lips*, flew in an arc at lightning speed, evading all the spheres of light at sharp angles. (tl note: means “to concentrate well and exert one's strength when doing something”)

"Here's my payback!"

Turning around to counterattack, Eight summoned ten crow-like birds of darkness around her, imbuing them with explosive flames and shot them in one breath.

In response to Eight, who had evaded all his attacks──Keter crushed all of hers.

He skillfully swung his cross scepter, smashing all the birds that came to attack him.

Keter’s calm expression seemed to tell that there was no need to evade attacks of that level, but immediately afterwards, a scathing blow struck the back of his head.

“You let your guard down.”

Under the cover of the barrage, Eight teleported behind Keter and delivered a knee strike to the back of his head.

It was the first clean hit Eight had landed in the battle.

──But Keter would not allow Eight to have a triumphant expression.

"Whoa, isn't that cheating!?"

Without even turning around, Keter fired a violent flash of light from his ten wings, precisely targeting Eight’s body.

Eight hastily deployed a barrier of darkness to minimize the damage from the counterattack that was released from an unexpected place. Though not without damage, the damage was limited to places in the torso and shoulder sections of her outfit.

"Whew... that was close."

『...』

Even though only a few minutes had passed, it unclear how many times their power and techniques clashed.

Against the strongest Sefirot, T.P. Eight Olishua had not taken a single step back.

With her skirt fluttering, Eight swung her right leg in a kick, sending Keter flying. Then, flapping her black and white wings, she launched a pursuit.

Keter regained his stance and, gliding above the clouds and emerging in the sky, continuously fired bullets of light while flying invertedly, but Eight evaded them with springy movements similar to that of a nimble butterfly in flight.

Each time one of the powerful light bullets passed just a few centimeters from her skin, Eight's smile of fighting spirit deepened. Her expression was as if she was sweating refreshingly in a sports match, she seemed to be enjoying her battle with Keter.

Eight raised her flight speed even more, rapidly approaching and swinging down her sword of darkness.

Keter blocked with his cross scepter and swung a counterattack.

Slash, cut down, block, occasionally dodging incoming light bullets before striking again.

Each time the opponent's attack danced, the impact of attack and defense reverberated through their bodies.

It was as if they had were in a world just for the two of them… a domain where no one else could intrude on.

Akatsuki En vs. Hod.

Rikidou Chouta vs. Gevurah.

Kazaoka Tsubasa vs. Malkuth.

Binah vs. Chokmah.

And me vs. Keter.

The above were each of the matchups that had commenced.

Neatly dividing into one-on-one matchups could be said to be a thorough strategic division. However, each one of the Sabers had increased their level by one or two since arriving in this world. The battle progress seemed to be fairly equally matched.

After all, they had comprehended Fairy Burst in this world and mastered its power. The current them should be able to bring a good match even against the Ten Archangels of Sefirot.

On top of that... even on the enemy side, Malkuth and Hod must have had all sorts of thoughts about the truth the King had told them.

Therefore, it felt that En and Tsubasa, who were facing them, would win just like that.

『When facing me… do you have the luxury to divert your attention elsewhere?』

Oops, you're right about that. Sorry, sorry.

I may be a cheat original protagonist, but the one I’m facing, Keter, is the official strongest final boss.

This is just my personal opinion, but… I think the easiest to enjoy fanfiction-wise is a power balance where the original protagonist’s combat power can put up a good fight against the final boss but ultimately falls just a little short. I welcome differing opinions, but a cheat original protagonist shouldn’t just steamroll everything. But I like settings where the original protagonist is the strongest too, of course!

In that respect, about Keter and me… I wonder where we stand.

Even though I’m taking this pretty seriously, we’re perfectly even.

I’m thinking of the future and conserving my strength, but he’s probably doing the same. He blocks my jet black lightning with a stylish curtain of light, his expression unruffled, and he doesn’t look like he’s using all his power. But his techniques all have beautiful effects like an aurora… In terms of looks, he might actually look more like the protagonist here.

Well, I am a dark and charming original protagonist, so I can accept that.

"...I suppose so."

But Keter never lets his poker face collapse.

Even if he were serious, he doesn’t seem like the type to show it on his face.

In that sense, he has something in common with my own style of always showing composure, so I feel like we’d fairly get along.

Come to think of it, my ideal image of a mysterious and cool strong character might align with Keter. Was Keter actually the one I admired all along…? To think that Keter was actually the perfect cheat original protagonist… I couldn’t see through that…!

Jokes aside.

"I’m always watching you, you know."

『…Then, right now, I would like you to look at me alone.』

"Sorry, but that’s impossible. I have something to protect. That takes priority now."

『...I figured.』

Original protagonists already have a lot to do, and on top of that, I have this situation to deal with. Honestly, it’s pretty difficult to fully focus on fighting Keter right now.

I'm especially worried about Mea-chan.

Her mental condition is a matter of course, but if it’s Chokmah and Gevurah, they might try abducting her in the King’s place if they see an opening.

If I don’t take action when the heroine is in danger, I’d sully the title of original protagonist.

When that happens, I’ll need to teleport to her side immediately. That’s why, while fighting Keter, I’m using Clairvoyance to check on her. It seems Keter has noticed, though.

And as for Mea… she’s still crouching down, in a state of stupor.

Chesed-kun is strenuously calling out to her, but I can't blame her even if she doesn’t recover in this case.

Who could accept the fact that their life was meant to be sacrificed?

…That’s only natural.

And that’s exactly why I have to scold him.

I wouldn’t go so far as to say he’s a disgusting king who can’t be allowed to live, but I’m quite angry right now.

Only this time, it’s not SEKKYOU, but a scolding.

"Keter, you are wrong."

Beneath the wide open sky, high above the clouds, we faced each other, keeping our distance.

Breaking the few beats of silence, the original protagonist gave a serious reply to the final boss.

"To sacrifice one's life for someone else… Not everyone can accept such a fate. Even if it's a life you created, no one has the right to force a mission upon them."

The unreasonableness that he was imposing on Mea-chan was simply something I cannot tolerate.

When I said that, his expression changed just a little bit and glared at me. Scary.

『…What are you, someone who sacrificed themself for a mission given by another, speaking of?』

"Hmm? Me? Why me? …Ah… yeah… That’s true, it’s harsh when you put it that way…"

It's true that my life as T.P. Eight Olishua can be said to be one following the mission given by another, Charon-sama.

However, I myself think it’s not a bad thing to devote this time, this bonus time given to me by her, for Charon-sama.

Back when I first had an audience with her… Charon-sama made a request, but she never forced me, but even if, for some reason, she were to order me to die, I would accept it. I’d absolutely hate it, though.

I'm not pathologically devoted to her or anything, but I've received that much from her. I have no complaints about giving my life for her. But…

"But Mea is different. Unlike my life, which ended long ago, that child still has hers ahead of her. Right now, she's not me."

When I first met her, I thought she was another original protagonist, so I regarded her as the same as me.

But I was wrong. She is also a splendid life living in this world, and I think of her existence as precious.

Protecting precious things is what original protagonist do. Isn’t that right, Charon-sama?

"Tell me… Have you ever, even once, given Mea compensation worthy of her sacrificing that precious life of hers, as her father?"

『I gave her existence. She lives in this world because I created her.』

"Then take care of her properly."

『...』

"You’ve been watching, so you know, right? The reason she was able to gain emotions was because she experienced the warmth of the hearts of kind humans… She received love from them and wanted to respond to that. Without being ordered around by anyone, just like a human."

I've already lived my first life to the fullest, so I have no regrets. That’s why it’s not a lie when I say I want to be use my second life to be helpful to Charon-sama, whom I owe a great debt of gratitude. That said, that doesn’t mean I’m not enjoying myself with everything I have.

But Mea-chan isn’t a transmigrator nor an original protagonist. She has only this one life.

If you want her to sacrifice her precious life, then even if you’re a king, shouldn't you at least show some proper sincerity?

Sending him a furious look of protest, I strongly said straight out like it was a signature phrase.

"Mea not having emotions at birth wasn’t because she was a failure. It was because you never taught her anything. Because you didn’t teach her… she didn’t know anything!"

『…Are you saying, this was my blunder?』

That's right, you. What’s with that puzzled reaction, like, “this is the first time I’ve thought of that”?

Honestly… You’re still as much of a troublesome child as ever… hm? Huh, what did I just think? …Well, whatever.

At any rate, logically thinking, this is an opportunity to gain the upper hand. I can’t let it slip away.

I gazed into Keter’s eyes, hoping that if all goes well, maybe a scolding from an original protagonist might actually bleach him in a good way.

Before me, Keter lowered his face as if he was pondering.

He was certain.

T. P. Eight Olishua—her true identity was Daat.

When Hod first informed him of that possibility, Keter hadn't believed it.

She was already gone… He thought it was impossible for her to be here.

Keter, the oldest living archangel, knew about the primordial archangels who lived in the previous era far better than anyone else in the world, and it was one of his raison d'être as the King.

Primordial Archangel of "Knowledge" Daat—the name of the hero who ended the "Great abyss War," which once brought unprecedented harm upon this world, that Keter had passed down through generations among his fellow archangels. Each time they were born again, for countless times...

To the Sefirot, Daat was a motherly existence.

And in ancient times, she was the greatest archangel who sacrificed her own life to save Fairy World from ruin from the ten Qlippoth of the abyss that had appeared in the Heavenly Realm.

To the young Keter, she was a woman who was much more worthy of the throne than himself, who had been created by the Sefira to be the “King” that rules over angels.

Yes… To the young Keter, she was the ideal archangel, his aspiration—his older sister.

Even after several hundred million years had passed, he had never forgotten the final words he exchanged with her.

The desire to cherish her still was still there. The madness still remained.

But right now, for Keter, it was too late to rejoice at the reunion with her.

His heart had been worn down too much to meekly accept her existence.

『Why… have you appeared at this stage? Now that it’s become like this, what will you preach to me…?』

"...?"

For Keter, this reunion had come far too late.

What he had decided that day—what he had already decided—had changed him within this world. It was precisely because he was aware of that fact that he could not sort out his feelings and keep up with the girl who hadn’t changed at all.

『And so… will you take from me once more…? I… I…』(tl note: he went from “yo” to “boku”)

"Keter…?"

He tightened his grip on the hilt of his cross scepter, and lifted his face which had been cast down.

His diamond-like eyes stared intensely at the girl before him as a wall to overcome.

『…I am different from the imperfect me back then. Even if you have returned, I will remain King... It’s for that that I have become strong… stronger.』

Stronger than anyone in this world.

Yes… The absolute summit that no sworn enemy, no invader, no one could ever take is the “King” of Fairy World.

He was certain that the current him was stronger than anyone else. That’s why Keter—

『Daat, to you, I—』

"──! Mea!?"

At the moment Keter was about to express his emotions, the girl’s eyes opened wide, and she disappeared from the scene.

It was one of her specialties, a transition type sacred art.

Her presence headed toward the surface—to a corner of the town of Heit, abandoned amidst the heated battle, where her target, Mea, was.

──There, a tremendous torrent of light, like a small star, was swirling.

Mea’s power had been released.

It was an extraordinary power. A power that far surpassed an ordinary angel’s had manifested.

Keter had predicted it would occur from their visit, an event within his expectations.

『As expected, Mea has entered Burst State…』

If the "truth" was revealed to her, her emotions would erupt, and the "Mugenkou" would unleash its true power. It was all a calculated action.

All that remained was to strip and take in that power, and Keter’s Mugenkou Project would be accomplished.

Yes… Everything was favorable.

…And yet, amidst this project being favorably carried out, a jarring noise constantly echoed within Keter’s heart.

Ah, I see.

When he saw the girl in black who, the moment she had noticed the strange phenomenon in Mea, had readily abandoned their battle and headed to her side, perhaps he felt miserable at how he had completely changed.

『…As I thought, you aren’t looking at me… Daat…』

Him who had changed too much, and Daat who hadn’t change at all.

Within Keter’s heart was a chaos of emotions that he didn't know how to express.

(author: Thank you for reaching 1,000 reviewers! It wasn't a goal, but it still gives me a sense of accomplishment… Truly, thank you!)

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