Kai: “Na, Na, Nagisa-chan!? Eh? What do you mean!?”

 

Nagisa: “It’s natural to be confused. Today is the day Kai-san disappeared, five years after that great calamity.”

 

Kai: “No way…”

 

It’s unbelievable but now it’s five years since that day. Maybe I can’t use Lightning because the target has changed its magical power over five years. I don’t really understand since it’s a skill.

 

Nagisa: “We don’t have time. Kai-san, please join the Human Liberation Army first.”

Kai: “Human Liberation Army!? What are you talking about, Nagisa-chan… no, Nagisa-san?”

Nagisa: “Hehe, ‘chan’ is fine…!!”

Kai: “Whoa!?”

 

The buggy takes a sharp curve, and I’m pushed against the door by inertia. What appeared in front of my eyes was a black demon, is that an emperor species!? Why is such a monster outside?

 

Nagisa: “Phew… looks like we can’t escape… Kai-san! Please just listen for a little while!”

Kai: “Eh?”

 

I decided to listen silently to Nagisa-chan’s desperate voice.

 

Nagisa: “Five years ago, the world suddenly became enveloped in dark clouds. Can you see? The sky. It’s daytime now, but it’s dim. It’s not just cloudy. Something thick is blocking the sunlight. Five years ago, it was brighter, but now we can hardly call it sunlight anymore. That was the beginning.”

 

I silently look at the sky from the window. The sky I thought was cloudy is covered with something else, like clouds.

 

Kai: “I’ll activate the Eye of God.”

It was a substance blocking the light made by magic.

 

Kai: “…A skill?”

Nagisa: “As expected, Kai-san. Yes, that’s a skill. Probably from one of the enemies.”

Kai: “Enemy?”

Nagisa: “Yes. That day, a large number of black knights suddenly appeared in the world. Each one was unbelievably strong, like an S-Rank clearer. Modern weapons were useless, and even skilled clearers couldn’t stand against them. There were more than a thousand of them.”

Kai: “…Black knights.”

Nagisa: “But they were opposed by the transcendents. They kept defeating the black knights one after another.”

 

Big brother Wang, Arnold, and Reina. Surely the transcendents defeated the black knights one after another. They should be able to win, even if not easily.

 

Nagisa: “However, then they appeared. Enemies calling themselves the Round Table.”

Kai: “It can’t be…”

 

I remember Lancelot-san. The strongest knights of the black empire called the Round Table, each one as strong as a transcendent.

 

Nagisa: “There were eleven knights calling themselves the Round Table. We had only six transcendents on our side. Humanity resisted until the end, but…”

Kai: “We lost?”

Nagisa: “Yes. The world was defeated by an enemy called the Black Empire. Many people are controlled and forced to live like slaves. Humanity does not rule this world anymore.”

 

I listened silently. The facts that happened during the five years I was absent.

 

Why wasn’t I there? Why didn’t I fight with everyone? I couldn’t understand Athena-san’s intentions.

 

Why was I isolated from there?

 

“Damn!”

 

I clenched my fist, feeling like I could jump out right now. I wonder if everyone is safe.

 

Nagisa: “But humanity hasn’t been wiped out. There are still people who haven’t given up on the future.”

 

Then, Nagisa-chan rolled up her sleeve energetically and showed me. There was some mark there. I stared at it and remembered, because that mark was exactly like…

 

Kai: “Eye of Providence… the omnipotent Eye of God…”

 

The mark of Eye of God drawn on the wall during that God’s trial. She had engraved it on her arm. It’s like a mark of determination, to not forget the frustration, and not to give up hope.

 

Nagisa: “This is the mark of the Human Liberation Army. It’s the proof of warriors who will liberate humanity from the Black Empire. The idea was from one of the Liberation Army executives, Issei Tanaka. You understand what I mean, right, Kai-san? In other words, we have always been…”

 

Nagisa-chan looked at me, tears streaming down as she smiled.

 

Nagisa: “─We’ve always been waiting for you.”

 

*Screech!!!*

 

Right after those words, the brakes were slammed. Looking around, we were already surrounded by magic beasts.

 

Nagisa: “Kai-san, please. Head to Shibuya Scramble Crossing. Someone who has been waiting for you is fighting there now.”

Kai: “Eh?”

 

Suddenly, Nagisa-chan opened the door next to me and pushed me out. I couldn’t react to the sudden event and fell out of the car.

 

Nagisa: “I’m glad I could meet you one last time. Thank you for choosing this place, Kai-san. Thank you for not wasting my death. You can escape alone. Please don’t fight those magic beasts. You absolutely cannot win. First, regroup with everyone.”

Kai: “Wait, Nagi─”

Nagisa: “I love you. I’ve always loved you. Goodbye.”

 

*Vroom!!!*

 

Before I could finish speaking, Nagisa-chan drove off. Heading towards the magic beasts.

 

◇

 

Nagisa drove the buggy straight towards the magic beasts. She jumped out just before colliding, drawing the attention of the beasts with the impact and noise.

 

Nagisa: “─Provocation!!”

 

The moment she activated the skill, all the hate of the magic beasts was directed at Nagisa.

 

Originally, Nagisa was planning to die here today. She knew she would be found by the magic beasts on her way here, and if Kai didn’t come, her death could have been in vain.

 

But if Kai, who knew nothing of the situation, appeared, someone needed to tell him about what was happening in the world now.

 

That’s why I volunteered, even though my death wouldn’t be a big loss. The possibility of Kai appearing in my hometown, Yonaki Village, was low, but I knew he would appear somewhere in the Cube he cleared today.

 

“Kai-san… hasn’t changed at all. That’s right, huh.”

 

Nagisa remembered. Five years ago, Kai, who saved her when she didn’t know or could do anything. She can’t forget the memory of being carried by him even now.

 

She had a faint love for him since that day. But as he continued to achieve remarkable feats, she almost gave up on that love, thinking their worlds were different.

But seeing him today after a long time, she remembered her childish first love and thought, “I still love him.”

 

Nagisa: “Please take care of everyone. And… save humanity.”

 

The magic beasts surrounded Nagisa, drooling. Tears of fear came out, but she closed her eyes tightly and waited for death. She couldn’t defeat them, even if Kai was strong, and she couldn’t escape anymore.

 

So I decided to sacrifice myself to let him escape.

 

The magic beasts were approaching.

 

I’m scared, but this sacrifice is not in vain.

 

I’m scared, but this sacrifice will surely save the world.

 

I’m scared, but surely he will save the world.

 

But…

 

Kai: “I told you not to fight anymore.”

 

*Crack!!!*

 

With a thunderclap, I realized I was being carried. Looking up, I immediately remembered that day. It’s been almost five years, but I still remember.

 

Kai: “I don’t know what’s happening, but…”

 

That nostalgic feeling, I can’t help but remember it. I know it’s no good, I understand it’s no good.

 

Kai: “─I wouldn’t abandon you.”

 

My feelings of happiness overflowed.

 

**Afterword**

I’ll do my best to post every Monday.