ch21-ch40 · 033-ch33

Chapter 33: To the Demon World

『This is Mineyama.』

Vice President Mineyama appeared on the monitor, looking somewhat haggard. The location looked like a conference room — there were other people who seemed to be executives there too.

"I'm Maeda Hagane of the Remnant Guild. I'll get straight to the point — give me the survey records from inside."

『...! That means...』

"Yes. Lumiel and I are going."

Excited voices could be heard through the screen. Vice President Mineyama showed a brief look of relief, then immediately returned to his usual iron mask.

『I'm indebted to you.』

The materials were sent immediately and shared on the monitor in front of us. They contained detailed summaries of geological survey results and mental photographs/video footage.

While I was reviewing them with Lumiel, a voice came through from the screen.

『...I heard through the grapevine that you turned down Minister Yanamoto's request. I thought we couldn't count on your cooperation, but—』

"I won't act for the sake of the country. I contacted you because I wanted as much information as possible for Lumiel's safety."

『...I see.』

After I said that clearly, Vice President Mineyama fell silent.

"The enemy is a goblin derivative species called the 'Arakimu tribe.' They're weak physically, but they have intelligence and magic power."

Lumiel muttered that.

The monster called the Arakimu tribe wasn't in any of the documents I'd studied. Momose-san and the others shook their heads similarly.

"Can you beat them?"

"No problem. But from here, I can't tell how strong the master is. There's someone in there who's good at controlling magic power."

So the one who set up the elaborate trap to lure people in is the boss — the advance team must have been in a really tough spot.

『Should I send the remaining Hunters to assist?』

At Vice President Mineyama's suggestion, Lumiel shook her head.

"No. I can't read the master's strength. So the only one I can take is Koh."

"Wait a minute. We can't go too!?"

My sister leaned forward, visibly shaken.

The other three also looked at Lumiel as if to say they'd naturally assumed they were coming.

Lumiel's expression didn't change as she nodded slightly.

"I'm not good at protecting people. I don't want Akira to die."

"..."

None of us had any idea how strong the opponent really was.

My sister sat back down in her chair, looking frustrated but not pressing the issue.

『At least let us provide support — items, restorative medicines, that sort of thing. Using unmanned drones, we can deliver them within a certain range for about a minute.』

At Vice President Mineyama's proposal, I nodded firmly.

The Clock had less than 42 hours remaining.

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When we stepped outside, the cold air brushed against my cheeks.

The sky at dawn was slowly being swallowed by darkness.

In all our fights so far, Lumiel had ended them in an instant. But this time, I had no idea how much trouble she might have.

I might die.

I grabbed my trembling legs and forced them to be still.

Don't let it show, it's fine—

"Just as I thought..."

I turned at the unexpected voice, and there stood an old man in well-tailored clothes.

Huh, have I seen this person somewhere...?

"I was the mayor of Aoba Town — ah, I should say the former Aoba Town now. I served as mayor there."

"The mayor?"

No wonder he looked familiar.

As far as I knew, he'd been the mayor for as long as I could remember. I recall seeing him in the VIP seats at sports days.

"I saw you on the news earlier. I couldn't sit still — before I knew it, I'd come all the way here."

"I'm sorry, Mayor, but right now we're—"

"I wanted to give you this."

With that, the mayor handed me a necklace. And not just any necklace — I could faintly sense magic power from it.

It was what they call a magic item.

"When I received word that the Hero of Aoba Town had joined this guild, various footage was being shown on the news too. I saw it and knew in an instant... this young man was the one who donated all those items free of charge."

The mayor said that and bowed deeply.

"Thank you for saving the town. Thank you for saving my precious children."

I felt tears welling up.

I wasn't planning to come forward...

The magic item in my hand seemed to tremble slightly.

When the mayor looked up, he explained the magic item in my hand.

"I used most of the items you gave us for treating the wounded and as relief funds... hardly any remain. But I kept this one safe, thinking it was special."

When I opened my hand, the pendant of the necklace had a wing-shaped design. It looked just like Lumiel's wings — I couldn't help but look back at the mayor.

He was smiling warmly.

"This town's name is Aoba Town — Green Wing Town — and the one who saved it was an angel with wings. Don't you feel a connection? Please, take it as a charm."

Before heading to certain death, I'd received an incredibly auspicious charm.

When I fastened it around Lumiel's neck, she looked up at me happily.

Yeah, it suits her perfectly.

"Mayor, thank you so much."

I felt like luck was on our side.

And more than anything — my trembling had stopped.

Lumiel spread her wings with a whoosh.

Her expression had changed to that of combat mode.

"Command me, Maeda Hagane."

No more fear. My resolve was firm.

I placed my hand on her outstretched one.

"Hagane... I—"

I turned to my sister, who looked like she might burst into tears at any moment, and forced the most confident smile I could manage.

That I'd be fine. That Lumiel would be fine.

"We're going, sis."

I looked away from my crying sister and turned back to Lumiel. Her expression unchanged, she waited for my words.

"I command you — defeat my enemies, Lumiel."

"At your command. My God."

Her two pairs of silver wings spread wide, and our bodies floated gently upward. Then, the moment a barrier wrapped around us — Lumiel soared high into the sky.

◇◆◇◆

The night town spread out below us like a sea of lights.

Building lights, car headlights, neon signs — everything streamed past and faded into the distance behind us.

Lumiel pierced through the clouds, racing across the night sky like a shooting star.

How fast were we going? Before long, Akayama Town came into view.

"That's... the Akayama Town World Clock."

The news helicopters and drones that were usually swarming around annoyingly were nowhere to be seen now.

Only the massive Whole Clock hovered in the air, ominously marking time.

"(Aside from the door being open, it really does look the same as the Aoba Town World Clock...)"

I could sense the magic power, but there was no particularly strange presence. Compared to the Clocks I'd seen plenty of times on TV, I couldn't see any difference in appearance.

"!"

Lumiel suddenly stopped short.

I felt a bit whiplashed as I followed her gaze.

"A robot?"

What appeared, cutting through the pitch-black darkness, was a robot — no, a black knight.

The chest section opened with a creak, and Kunimori-kun's face appeared from inside.

"Kunimori-kun? What are you...?"

"Ah, I just followed without permission, so don't worry about it."

No no, even if you say not to worry about it...

Kunimori-kun was staring at the World Clock with a look of intense interest.

"I collect weapons as a hobby. Well, not just a hobby... more like a mission? By collecting them, I get stronger. And if there's a dangerous enemy, I might get some strong weapons, right?"

Kunimori-kun's eyes were gleaming.

Come to think of it, on the day of the Aoba Town World Clock, he was having a match for a weapon until the last minute... but I couldn't just take him along, ignoring Lumiel's words that she "can't guarantee his safety."

"I won't complain even if I die. Look, I'm begging you!"

Kunimori-kun pressed his hands together.

Lumiel, as if to say "suit yourself," turned her gaze back to the Clock.

"Lumiel isn't good at protecting people. So I want Kunimori-kun to protect the people inside. Can you do that?"

"Leave it to me."

Then let's go — inside the World Clock.

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