Chapter 68

Did I lose my mind?

As soon as I opened my eyes, all I could see was a pitch-black world.

An abyss devoid of even a single speck of light.

The overwhelming despair emanating from that place sent shivers down my spine.

“…A, Akari?”

And the source of that despair was someone familiar—no, should I call it a monster?

Enduring the pain stabbing at my Hope Circuit, I took a step forward.

Akari.

A friend I made in this world.

A monster, yet not quite like one—a kind friend.

“…Emerald, it’s dangerous ahead.”

“…Sapphire, Ruby.”

“Cough, ugh…”

Ruby, coughing up blood and collapsing, and Sapphire, casting a defensive spell around her.

I didn’t feel like blaming them.

Even if I held a bit of resentment, I too had doubted Akari at times, just like them.

And right now, my priority wasn’t to resent them.

“Emerald…!”

“I have to go.”

“…”

“I have to save my friend.”

The closer I got, the more pain I felt.

Perhaps because my hope was fading, my recovery slowed.

Could I even reach her?

Could I face Akari?

“Akari…!!”

I called out her name, raising my voice.

Beyond the darkness, a pair of red eyes glowed indifferently, tilting as if not understanding the meaning of the three syllables I had uttered.

“Akari, are you there?!”

But I knew.

That Akari was still inside.

Because even when she had a halo above her head, Akari was strong enough to keep her sanity.

So surely, she would listen to me.

No matter what, she had to.

“Akari!!!!!”

Even as I shouted at the top of my lungs, no attack came my way.

Did that mean the hope within me wasn’t much of a threat?

Or had she recognized me?

“Akari. Please, answer me…”

The lack of response was agonizing.

Akari would’ve answered if it were her.

No, deep down, I knew the thing before me wasn’t Akari.

What stood there was the Apocalypse.

A being that hunted magical girls and devoured despair.

But was there really nothing left of Akari inside?

Not even a single fragment?

“Please…”

I couldn’t go any further.

My legs gave out, and my vision darkened.

Just a little more, and I could reach her.

Just a little further, just a tiny bit more—

‘Please…!’

I reached out with desperation, but my hand never touched the Apocalypse—never touched Akari.

This is as far as I go.

I didn’t want it to end here, but I couldn’t reach her.

In the end, this must be the limit of my sincerity.

But I didn’t pull my hand back.

The reason? Well…

“You don’t have to shout so loud, I can hear you just fine.”

If she reached out, she could easily touch me.

“Ah…”

“Haha… What’s with that dumbfounded look? You were so loud just a moment ago, and now you’re quiet.”

Not the Apocalypse, but Akari.

The faint hint of emotion on her previously expressionless face made her seem like a completely different being.

It was so surreal, it felt like a dream.

“So, what do you see me as? The Apocalypse? Akari? Which one do I seem closer to?”

“…”

Akari, holding my hand and pulling me up, asked playfully.

As if any answer would be fine.

But my answer was already decided.

Akari, you know what I’ve always called you, right?

“Akari.”

“Yes, Emerald.”

“You’ll always be Akari to me.”

“…”

For a moment, the light in Akari’s eyes faded.

Seeing her face resemble the Apocalypse from the previous world sent a chill through my heart, but I didn’t despair, knowing it was just a joke.

How did I know it was a joke? Well…

Because the corner of Akari’s mouth was slightly raised.

“You’re really beyond saving as a magical girl.”

“…That doesn’t sound like a compliment.”

“It’s not. Magical girls are just… ugh…”

Akari’s gaze shifted momentarily to the back.

She must’ve seen Ruby and Sapphire.

Her expression was as calm as ever, but it felt like she was silently reminding them that she wouldn’t forget they had attacked her.

Akari held grudges longer than you’d think.

“But still, I’m glad you’re safe.”

“Do you really think that’s a good thing?”

“Yes. Because Akari is my precious friend.”

“…Sigh, really.”

Akari frowned as if she couldn’t understand, but she didn’t seem too upset.

Anyway, with Akari back, all my tension suddenly drained away.

I had just been helped up, but I slumped back down.

Akari stared at me for a moment, then shook her head.

She looked like she was watching a child who couldn’t even stand properly.

“Guess there’s no helping it.”

As Akari lifted me, warmth seeped through my skin.

Akari was still just Akari after all.

I tried to hold onto my fading consciousness, but the relief made my eyes grow heavy.

‘…Akari.’

When I open my eyes again, will you be there?

***

“…She’s asleep.”

Falling asleep near such a mass of despair? Aren’t you disqualified as a magical girl?

Emerald, unconscious in my arms, looked no different from a human freezing to death in the snow, feeling warmth as they drifted off.

Of course, I made sure not to let despair seep into her Hope Circuit.

“What are you planning to do with Emerald…?”

“Sigh…”

Come to think of it, those two annoying ones were still there.

Ignoring the voices whispering to kill the magical girls before me, I let out a sigh.

It’s not like we’re fighting to the death, so why the fierce expressions?

I don’t even have the intention to kill, yet they’re already drinking their victory soup. How amusing.

“What does it matter to you what I do with Emerald?”

“…What?”

“Losers.”

“…Ugh!?”

Step by step.

The closer I got, the more their expressions stiffened, which was quite entertaining.

What could they be thinking?

That this is the end? Or regretting not finishing me off properly?

“Knock knock—”

I lightly tapped on the defensive spell surrounding them.

Whether it was because of Sapphire’s hope or my overwhelming despair, the spell flickered, on the verge of breaking.

They’ve held out surprisingly well until now.

I extended my arm with a bit more force, and it pierced through like a knife through tofu.

The two magical girls, startled by my hand, were just a bonus.

“Do I still look like the Apocalypse to you?”

“…”

“Well, I wasn’t expecting an answer anyway.”

I bound the two with despair and pondered for a moment.

If I let them go, they’d definitely keep bothering me.

But if I kill them here, Emerald would be a hassle.

Emerald gave me despair not because she wanted me to kill them, but because she wanted everyone to live.

“If you, including all humans, promise not to attack first, I won’t harm you either.”

“…How can we trust your words?”

“You don’t have to. I’ve decided to do it this way.”

The right to choose always belongs to the victor.

I’m the victor now. Ruby and Sapphire are the losers.

It didn’t matter if they didn’t believe me.

If they attacked me again, I’d just teach them another lesson.

…Well, maybe next time, a lesson wouldn’t be enough.

Maybe I’d cut off their arms or legs…

Of course, that’s only if they attack again.

“Be grateful you have a good friend. If Emerald had been like you, I would’ve killed you all.”

“…”

Seeing Ruby, who had fallen silent under my not-so-subtle threat, felt satisfying.

Yeah, what can you do in that state?

I smirked at Ruby, who seemed resigned, then turned my gaze to Sapphire sitting quietly beside her.

Unlike Ruby, who was filled with hatred, Sapphire’s emotions seemed more complicated.

Maybe she was thinking about the time before she regained her memories.

“Sapphire.”

“…”

“Playing friends with you was quite fun.”

Now, there’s no way Sapphire would willingly give me despair.

Back then, Sapphire was so naive and fun to tease.

If I had known she’d regain her memories so suddenly, I would’ve threatened her instead of talking when we first met.

It’s easier to deal with someone filled with hatred, like Ruby, than someone with lingering doubts.

“And let’s not meet again, if possible.”

With those final words, I turned away from them.

…Honestly, I thought they might attack me from behind, but nothing happened. A bit disappointing.

Anyway, that’s how it was.