Concert (4)
The Devil's Banner.
The foundation upon which the teachings of the cult are built.
Typically, it's used to generate black magic by stabilizing the demonic energy.
However, among the members of Baob, there existed those who employed the demonic energy in unconventional ways, deviating from the norm.
Those who fused their own talents with demonic energy, unleashing calamities upon the world.
Playing music, singing, painting, sculpting, and more.
An ability possessed only by a select few.
The Church referred to such individuals as Katasto.
An ancient word meaning "calamity."
"The Conductor."
In the original story, he was one of the most prominent Katasto.
A fitting title, considering the calamities he brought forth.
In actuality, he was responsible for countless casualties.
Once ensnared by the melody the Conductor conducted, one's very essence would be corrupted by the inescapable demonic energy, forever changed.
A transformation akin to becoming a chimera.
"Keeeaaghhhh!"
Corruption, too, shared its roots with the concept of chimeras.
Once changed, there was no going back.
Just as a shattered vase could not be restored.
Of course, it wasn't entirely impossible.
I had "Lies" at my disposal.
It was possible to do what I did with Anne.
However, that was merely a possibility, far removed from practical reality.
Ultimately, I lacked the capacity to save them all.
"Eliminate them all."
Even reverting Anne had consumed nearly 60% of my output.
Assuming an average, healthy adult, the output required would be at least 80%, if not more.
Saving one meant...
That was the end of it.
'Besides...'
It was a situation that demanded conserving my output.
Once I cleared the Conductor's stage and rescued the missing collaborator, I wouldn't need to expend this much output.
Unlike the chimeras confined to cages before, capturing them would be difficult.
I had merely made the best choice available.
I couldn't save everyone.
A lesson etched into my being, forged over three years of relentless survival since possessing this body.
Life was never as cheap as a multitude of lies.
"Keeeaaghhhh!"
"!!!To ou gds w rtu h srev!"
"Uwaaaghhhh!"
Therefore...
We had to press onward.
Once pristine white, the priestly robes were now stained black, each one we cut down a testament to our grim task.
We were reaping the final breaths of these poor souls who had turned their backs on their god.
"Move the remaining survivors outside. Have Lena arrange for their swift transport to the hospital."
Of course, it wasn't all death.
Scattered amidst the carnage were those who had yet to succumb.
Those fortunate enough to be outside the range of the "Melody."
Most were unconscious, bearing severe injuries, but the unit members continued their rescue efforts with composure.
Even in this situation, there were exceptions.
"In the case of young children, even when corrupted, they don't exhibit aggression. There are only about ten of them, so we'll detain them separately and bring them to headquarters. Treatment can be handled gradually."
"Understood, Master."
At the very least, I wanted to save the children.
The world might be a cold place when adults abandoned adults, but the moment adults abandoned children, the entire world descended into utter garbage.
It seemed my world was still closer to winter than a haven.
Leaving behind the scenery of a crimson-stained snowfield, we traversed the seemingly endless hallway.
"I've taken care of the front."
The most remarkable in the midst of this chaotic battle was Irene.
With flames dancing around her, the girl systematically eliminated the priests swarming from the front.
She faithfully carried out the orders I had given her.
Whenever she glanced back at me amidst the chaos, I would stroke her head.
A gesture to convey that she was doing well.
"The front is clear."
"Good work."
"...You don't have to pat me on the head in this situation, do you?"
The fox narrowed her eyes as if to ask what I was doing in the middle of a mission.
However, contrary to her prickly response, the crimson tail peeking from behind her swayed back and forth.
As if betraying the fact that she couldn't hide her true feelings.
Irene averted her gaze for a moment before gripping her sword once more.
Clang! Crackle... Thud!
The battle raged on.
It wasn't long before we finally reached the end of the hallway.
A single, rather unimpressive door came into view.
"Haah, haah... Is it finally over once we get past this?"
The fox panted heavily.
I shook my head firmly in response to her question, even as I approached the door.
What was about to happen next was crucial.
If we made any mistakes here, this cathedral, and even the surrounding city, could be in grave danger.
That's why I had been conserving my power until now.
"We cannot proceed carelessly beyond this point."
I stopped the members who were reaching for the door.
Hell lay beyond it.
Because the conductor's concert awaits us.
In the original work, this area served as the boss stage.
A space filled with a dreadful melody, making entry difficult unless one possessed mental-resistance passive skills.
I briefly scanned the members standing beside me.
"Hmm."
Neria, Irene, Lena, and so on.
All were exceptional individuals, but not suitable for this stage.
Bringing them along would only be detrimental.
They might suddenly turn and attack their allies.
Even so.
I couldn't protect them from the mental attacks.
Of course, it would be possible by consuming lies, but considering the dangers waiting beyond that door, wasting power on trivial matters wasn't a wise choice.
I feigned contemplation, stroking my chin for a moment.
It was meant to be seen by someone.
“This is troublesome.”
There were many people with strong mental power, but not many had mental barriers.
It was a skill given by birth.
I smacked my lips and mumbled to myself.
“It would have been nice to have someone to go in with me.”
I glanced sideways behind me.
At the end of my gaze, there was only a wall blocking my view.
As if pretending there was no one there.
I smile quietly.
And then subtly throw a question.
“I need someone with basic force, who doesn’t get shaken easily, and even has a mental barrier…”
There was just the right candidate.
“What do you think, Your Highness?”
Words aimed precisely at one side.
Perhaps realizing that she had been caught, a presence hiding in the corner revealed itself.
My eyes are drawn to her shining platinum hair.
“…I knew it.”
Puzzled blue eyes stare blankly.
Her stoic expression is imbued with a unique doll-like atmosphere.
The dazzling platinum blonde proves the girl’s identity.
The First Princess of the Empire, Charlotte Little von Staufen.
One of the main characters appearing in the original story.
It was a time when she should have been at the academy, but for some reason, the girl had been tailing us.
I smile brightly at Charlotte in front of me.
“I never expected to see you here, Your Highness.”
“Yeah. Nice to meet you.”
The girl nods her head.
There is not even a hint of embarrassment in her calm eyes.
It was Charlotte who greeted me lightly, as if we always ran into each other at the academy.
Rather, I was embarrassed.
“You are very calm.”
“I was surprised. Very.”
“I don’t feel that way at all from your reaction.”
“Is that so…?”
It was an expression that she really didn’t know.
The girl tilts her head.
Perhaps because her basic concept was four-dimensional, she always jumped in unpredictable directions.
When I paused for a moment, this time Charlotte asked.
“When did you know? That I was behind you.”
“The basement stairs.”
“You’re saying you knew from the beginning.”
“I’m sorry to say. The moment I was raising my senses, I sensed Your Highness who was nearby.”
“Yeah, I guess so. Too bad.”
A few words exchanged lightly.
I put the chat behind me and bring up the previous question again.
“So, what do you think? I would like to hear your opinion.”
Charlotte was a person who had a mental barrier.
She had been protected under the imperial family’s unique blessing since birth.
In addition, her force was also at a high level.
‘Perfect.’
Originally, I was planning to go in alone, but having a companion would ease the burden a little.
It probably wouldn’t have been a bad suggestion for Charlotte either.
After all, the reason she came here was the same as mine.
Investigating this case and tracking down the cultists.
Although the reasons for chasing them were different, we were looking at similar goals.
Especially since this job was too much for her to handle alone.
She would need help.
‘It’s a good opportunity.’
As it turned out, the girl was desperate for the ‘rose’ issue.
The fact that she was running around the scene herself said it all.
I was thinking of throwing out some bait soon anyway, and I was delighted to have such an appropriate opportunity.
I thought I could close the distance with her this time.
“…Okay. Let’s go together.”
Charlotte, who had been contemplating for a moment, finally nodded her head.
We shook hands lightly.
Once the decision was made, there was no time to hesitate.
Even now, the given countdown was ticking away.
Leaving only a brief equipment check behind, we placed our hands on the grand gate engraved with ominous patterns.
A creepy feeling runs down my fingertips.
“Let’s go.”
And opened the door.
A scarlet flash swallows our vision.
We took unwavering steps toward the other side of the threshold.
***
And so we arrived at the boss stage.
We were faced with a bizarre sight.
“This is…?”
A space where dark red blood gushes like waves.
An endless expanse of scenery, a vast sea filled only with blood, awaited us.
The children were frozen in front of the magnificent scenery.
Beeeee-
A melody that had been faint until now rang out, clear and inescapable.
It was a cacophony that seemed to tear through our ears.
Following the source of the noise, we turned our heads to see a figure standing amidst the crimson mist.
It stood in the middle of the sea of blood, playing a violin.
"......"
A familiar face.
Having succumbed to the Conductor's melody, she had clearly forgotten her true self and fallen into depravity.
Watching the woman fervently continue her performance, I murmured,
"Ms. Medro..."
The Vicar General of the Church, and the person in charge of this branch of the Liszt.
Also, Astro's collaborator.
The target we were supposed to rescue on this mission.
As expected, she had become the Conductor's puppet, waiting on this crimson stage for the audience to arrive.
Medro's wildly rolling eyes found us.
"Kyaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!"
She immediately screamed.
Maintaining my composure, I gathered lies at my fingertips.
Charlotte also drew her sword.
"Let's do this."
"Yeah."
The dreadful concert had begun.
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