Chapter 6

Tag: Aoyama Absent

In fanfictions with original protagonists, there are many ways to break the original work.

One approach is altering the worldview from the start, based on the author's intentions. This involves changing the circumstances or personalities of characters, so from the beginning, it's set up as "that's just how things are." A clear example would be gender-swapping the original protagonist or rival characters, turning them into heroines.

Another approach involves altering the original work's progression through the intervention of the original protagonist. This is common in original protagonist stories and would feel familiar to readers.

After all, having an original protagonist in the story is already a foreign element, so it's only natural that the plot wouldn't follow the original exactly. So it's not odd for the world to diverge somewhat because of our presence... but even so, this current development is totally unexpected.

—Still, I want to defend myself. I have absolutely no involvement in this.

Chesed, a key figure from the "Fairy Savers" isekai arc and a moderate holy beast, hasn't shown up to give a warning. It doesn’t seem like my actions as an extraordinary phantom thief could’ve caused this chain of events.

Sure, I might’ve shaken things up with the Savers a little, but I had no hand in the affairs of the holy beasts.

Originally, I thought following the main plotline would make it easier for me as a cheat original protagonist, and I didn’t intend to break any major plot points.

...Yeah, this definitely isn’t my fault. Which means, this situation is either influenced by Mea, who was here before me, or some kind of tweak at the setting level by that goddess-like person.

If it's the latter, then that goddess-like person is really advanced.

“No way... right?”

This is another pattern in fanfiction breaks.

Sometimes, the mere existence of the original protagonist replaces the position of the characters of the original work.

After investigating Mea more thoroughly, I found out that she’s a human with a holy beast factor, modified by PSYence. It’s a fitting setup for an original protagonist. After all, masked superhero-style shows are a popular genre.

Because of this, she has the closest connection to both humans and holy beasts in this world.

With that in mind, even without Chesed, she could easily fill that role… In fact, now that I think about it, her position overlaps a bit with the original "Fairy Warrior" Akari Mitsui, who had a contract with Chesed.

As a result, this story might actually be a fanfiction where Mea, the original protagonist, replaces Chesed and leads the Savers.

What a revelation… I can't believe there’s a "Chesed Absent" tag…!

I never would’ve thought a key person from the original work would be written out entirely, let alone such a central character. I didn’t even want to entertain the idea, so I just dismissed it from my mind. After all… Chesed… doesn’t even get a role!

...No good. I’m losing my mind because one of my favorite characters is missing.

『The time for judgement has come… Humans, prepare yourselves! Bruuaaaaah!!』(tl note: whenever 『』is used, it means the dialogue is happening telepathically)

Kokmah is way more furious than in the original work. What a great voice…

As the white-winged angel raises the spear in its hand, a storm of lightning rain down from the sky, instantly turning the town into a sea of fire.

This is bad, this is bad... While I’m panicking, the reality of the story is relentlessly moving forward.

After Kokmah’s declaration, the damage continues to escalate.

Soon, the three Savers will deploy, and a battle beyond human comprehension will begin.

But in the midst of the battlefield, the light original protagonist Mea is nowhere to be seen.

What is she doing? She’s supposed to be helping Flame in Akari’s place! That’s her job!

I could step in, but for now, I’ll stay on standby. Of course, it’s not because I’m afraid of confronting these supernatural beings in person. It’s just that if I were the only one acting in Mea’s absence, it might disrupt the balance between the original protagonist characters.

Managing multiple original characters requires delicate handling.

“It can’t be helped…”

I don’t want to face another original protagonist character one-on-one, but… given the situation, I have no other option.

Using my clairvoyance, I track down her location and quickly teleport to her.

Flames burn, ice shatters, and winds howl.

Akatsuki En, Rikidou Chouta, and Kazaoka Tsubasa are fighting.

As the ace unit of the Savers, these three are some of the most powerful supernatural ability users in the world. Together, they should have been able to take down any enemy.

However, the new type of angelic holy beast that emerged from the gate was far beyond their strength.

The gap between humans and holy beasts is enormous, and the three are completely overwhelmed by the difference in power.

At this rate, everyone will be defeated…

As the townspeople fled in panic, following evacuation orders, Mea runs through the streets of Akebono with her hand held by Mitsui Akari, who became like an older sister to her.

Mea, who has no memories of her past and no family, was taken in by Mitsui Akihiro, the commander of the Savers and Akari's father. Akari, aware of Mea's circumstances, treated her like a little sister and doted on her.

"Mea-chan, it’s going to be okay… I’m sure En and Tsubasa will defeat them like always!"

"…Yeah."

…Even now, she believes that.

Akari, who has no powers and can’t fight, was encouraging Mea, a fairy child who was made to fight, so she wouldn’t be scared.

—Why is she… why are they so involved? With Mea, who's nothing more than a disposable tool for fighting?

At first, Mea couldn’t understand their thoughts at all. After all, she only had memories of the dark PSYence laboratory.

But after a year of living peacefully in the city under Akihiro's guidance, she begun to understand. Just a little.

It’s likely the simple human emotion called "kindness."

"Mea-chan?"

Mea stopped in her tracks and let go of Akari's hand. As expected, Akari looked back at her with a confused expression.

It had been so warm... The kindness of a human heart.

She wants to protect them... humans like her.

She wants to save them... warriors like En and the others.

She wants to fight. For this world and for the kind people in it.

It’s because of these feelings that Mea can’t continue fleeing with Akari and the others.

"Mea… has to go,"

"Y-You can’t, Mea-chan! You’re already—"

"If Mea doesn’t fight, En will die."

"…!"

"Mea’s sorry… Onee, chan."

"! ...Mea-chan..."

Before she realized it, she was already running. No matter how hard Akari tries, she can’t possibly catch up to the speed of Mea, who has superhuman agility.

With strength that seems impossible for her small body, Mea leaps across the road and runs along the walls of buildings, jumping onto the rooftops as she makes her way toward En and the others.

Was Mea selfish? Will Mea… be hated now?

Maybe Mea will never see Akari… onee-chan again.

Ever since the gate had opened and the angelic holy beast appeared, Mea’s body has been aching. It’s likely because the holy beast factor implanted within her is reacting to the presence of that holy beast.

If that’s the case, then perhaps her memories… and even her very self…

"The answer is already clear, isn’t it?"

"!?"

As Mea races along the rooftops toward the battlefield, a figure stands before her.

It’s a girl. But to Mea, she looks like a grown woman. Her black hair and mature aura make her seem more adult than Akari. The girl strums a harp, calming Mea’s racing heart with its melody, and smiles faintly as she gazed at her.

"You are…"

"T.P. Eight Olishua. Just call me Eight, Mea."

"Eight…"

It’s as if she had been waiting for Mea, knowing she would come.

Though she needs to hurry, Mea finds herself unable to move.

Despite the girl’s calm demeanor, her emerald-green eyes seem to draw Mea in, as though her heart would be absorbed by their gaze.

Not breaking eye contact, Eight, wearing a silk hat pulled low, asks her a question.

"What have you seen in this world?"

"…!"

The question pierced her heart.

"...What will you do in this world?"

"...Mea will…"

Back when she was in the laboratory, she didn’t even understand why she was born.

But now, having experienced the kindness of En, Akari, and the others, a new feeling has taken root in her heart.

Though Mea had been confused by this unfamiliar emotion for so long, she is no longer uncertain.

She nods firmly, meeting Eight’s probing gaze without looking away, and declares:

"Mea… Mea wants to help! Mea wants to believe in the kindness of people like En and Akari!"

It was the first time she had experienced human love.

And with that kindness, the girl awakened—along with “him” who had been slumbering within her.

Seeing Mea's resolve, Eight stops playing her harp and smiles softly.

Under the moonlight, her smile is both fragile and radiant.

"I see… You’ve made your choice. You’ve chosen to fulfill the role that you believe in… the future that Chesed trusted in."

With a relieved sigh, Eight’s form fades away like a mist.

As if she has never been there, nothing remains of her presence.

Their conversation was brief, but Mea feels as though she understands the meaning behind Eight’s parting words.

There was something familiar in the tone of her voice.

"Chesed…? So that’s the case… That is this child’s…"

It’s as if the fog that clouded her heart suddenly cleared. The moment she repeated the name "Chesed," the aching in her body ignited into a burning heat.

Now, she understands.

Mea, along with him, remember.

Their role… and the mission they are meant to fulfill.

"Mea’s name!"

At the moment when the heat in her body reaches its peak, her entire being is engulfed in light, expanding with a fierce roar.

That light spreads like a radiant beam, cutting through the darkness of the night and drawing the attention of every warrior on the battlefield.

"What!?" [En]

"What’s that!?" [Chouta]

"That light is…!" [Tsubasa]

When the light finally subsided, there stood an angel with two wings spread wide, her silver hair gleaming.

The angel slowly opens her heterochromatic eyes—one emerald green, the other golden—and stares down the holy beast Chokmah.

"Leave, Chokmah. This is not the world where you should be!"

『…! You… those eyes—impossible!』

—The awakened one is now ready to bless this world.

Ah, Mea-chan turned into a holy beast.

No, with the hearts both human and holy beast — she’s an Original Protagonist Man

Man, I am just overwhelmed by Mea-chan Man’s super original protagonist moment, even though I feel strangely detached from it all. With all these unexpected developments, my brain officially hit overload.

This was supposed to be an important scene from the original work, and yet, the original protagonist who was supposed to play a key role isn’t even here. In the midst of all this, I stood out too much, which isn’t ideal for a story with multiple original characters. So, I encouraged her to take the spotlight.

Of course, I initially approached her to re-evaluate her stance as an original character, but man, I did not see this coming.

──Turns out, that child’s Chesed.

More precisely, she’s a modified human implanted with Chesed’s factor.

I have no idea how that happened, but it turns out the holy beast factor in her body belongs to one of the most important characters in Fairy Savers: Chesed. Sorry, Akari-chan, looks like your role just got canceled.

However, in original protagonist fanfictions, it’s not uncommon for the original protagonist to have close ties with specific original characters. Things like "The original protagonist is a relative of that original character" or "The original protagonist is a disciple of that strongest character." These relationships make it easier to involve the original protagonist in the story. It’s a convenient technique that can be applied to everything from battle stories to slice-of-life.

In her case, the setup was simply "The original protagonist is a modified human with Chesed's factor." Who could’ve guessed that?

...But honestly, it’s not a bad development.

From a fanfiction perspective, it’s a classic break from the original.

As I’ve mentioned before, fanfictions that try to balance the scales by adding more enemies to match the original protagonist’s power tend to fail. However, fanfictions that balance the story by reducing the strength of the characters of the original work often manage to survive.

That’s because when a character from the original work is taken out, the original protagonist can take their place and have a clear role to fulfill.

Of course, for fans of the missing characters of the original work, this can be disappointing, and preferences vary. But from the writer’s perspective, it’s a convenient setup.

Which is why this is the perfect stage for Mea to show her original protagonist power.

Sure, it’s a shame Akari-chan’s role was erased, but this moment is also pretty epic, so I’ll allow it. Besides, the "beautiful girl bonus" makes her terrifying even as an opponent.

"Nice work, Mea."

Mea, now with pure white wings spread wide, rushed to the aid of En and the others, engaging in an intense aerial battle with Chokmah in their place.

As expected of someone who harbors the power of Chesed, a holy beast on the same level as Chokmah. Mea completely stole Akari-chan's original role, but her own combat skills were excellent, wielding that power even better than Akari could have.

This is incredible. I don't even have room to intervene.

『Don't get cocky!!』

"!"

But Chokmah is strong.

Shaken by the unexpected reinforcement, Chokmah had initially fought evenly, but quickly adapted to the battle.

Before long, Mea started losing ground, the fight turning against her.

Hmph, yare yare, looks like it’s finally my turn.

I stretched in preparation, ready for my big moment, but a thought crossed my mind.

…If I jump in here and easily defeat the enemy, wouldn’t that be bad for the fanfiction?

It’s one thing for the original protagonist to fight well against an enemy that the three main characters couldn’t handle. But if I, a mysterious original protagonist, swoop in and defeat the foe… Yeah, that’s not great.

From an outsider’s perspective, it would just look like the characters of the original work are being overshadowed by original protagonist.

That was close. I almost fell into the classic trap of multiple OC fanfictions.

Right. Out of respect for the original work, it wouldn’t be good for En and the others to end this without having their moment.

Giving the original protagonists their chance to shine, while also showcasing the original protagonist’s strength—that’s how you create the perfect cheat original protagonist that I aspire to be. A TS OC like me is greedy like that.

Truly a paragon of arrogance. So, the best thing for me to do now, as much as it stings, is not to help Mea defeat the enemy.

Here I go, Teleportation!

"Your potential shouldn’t end here, Akatsuki En." [Eight]

"...Y-You’re…!" [En]

I arrive at the scene where the original protagonist, Akatsuki En, lay.

Wow, they’ve been beaten up pretty badly, huh…

En and the others are lying on the ground, barely breathing, struggling to stand up despite the pain wracking their bodies.

In front of them, I sit down, folding my skirt as I poke En’s forehead, making him flinch in surprise at my appearance.

Come on, come on, Eight-chan is here to cheer you on. You can do it, you can do it!

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