Chapter 36: If a Beautiful Girl, I’ll Try to Change at Least One Destiny
A particularly strong wind blew.
The manipulation of the atmospheric magical power created chaotic flows and produced whirlwinds around the area.
Interference with nature through magic.
The ominous star that enabled this phenomenon shone brightly above Tourak and the others.
Its name is Solciera.
As one of the eight rulers reigning over the peak of this Academy City, she held an S Rank.
Her ability was absolute interference with all things.
“The stars are always watching you.”
As the wind swirled, dust and debris danced in mid-air.
Tourak could barely keep his eyes open as he repositioned Lutra.
However, Solciera appeared unconcerned with such actions and continued to look down upon Ouroboros.
“… Such a form doesn’t suit you.”
The magic circle glowed even brighter.
Simultaneously, multiple new magic circles unfolded around her. The strange arrangement of characters within them resembled constellations and were all focused on Ouroboros.
“Bind it.”
Following Solciera’s words, several silver chains emerged from the magic circle. Like they had a will of their own, they entangled Ouroboros and bound its massive body in less than a second.
The monster, which had been rampaging so fiercely, was completely neutralized by just one person.
“… Lutra, how many swings would it take to defeat that thing?”
“It’s impossible. I’ve already calculated ten thousand combat patterns. At best, it would take five swings. Beyond that, we wouldn’t even be able to attack.”
“I see.”
Tourak switched his thoughts after hearing the words from the girl who had become like his other half.
(Retreat must be the priority. We don’t have time to fight this monster.)
The situation had drastically changed.
This was no longer about monster extermination; it was now a retreat from a natural disaster.
“Mihaya, apparently, I can last for five moves. Let’s find an opening during that time and retreat. Do you still have the simple gate that connects to Mikage Academy?”
It was originally meant for retrieving Rinka and retreating immediately. A gate capable of movement by coordinate designation, and there was only one of them, making it quite expensive.
Tourak chose to use it without hesitation. His instincts were screaming that it was a threat worthy of such action.
“I do have the gate… but now isn’t the time to use it.”
Mihaya stood in front of Tourak and looked up at the sky, a smile on her face.
“Solciera, it’s been a while.”
Tourak was startled when he saw Mihaya addressing Solciera familiarly.
He alternated his gaze between Solciera and Mihaya before asking Lutra.
“… Do you know her?”
“I don’t. And I don’t want to know her either.”
Lutra clearly seemed irritated.
Nevertheless, contrary to her wishes, Solciera had already moved right in front of Tourak and the others.
“Wh-!? … When did you…”
There was no preparatory motion, no sound, no wind. It was as if the world itself had compressed the distance for her high-speed movement.
Solciera landed gracefully at the spot and opened her cold expression.
“You seem well, Mihaya.”
“Yes, thanks to you. … Thank you. I’ve wanted to say that for a long time.”
“It’s nothing. Everything is according to the stars’ decree. In truth, there’s nothing I can really do.”
Though dismissive in attitude, Solciera’s actions spoke otherwise.
Mihaya understood that the gentle smile Solciera showed that night was her true self.
“Solciera, lend me your strength. To kill that monster.”
Solciera quietly shook her head.
“That one shouldn’t be killed. I’ve come here to change that fate.”
Behind her, Ouroboros roared repeatedly, trying to break free from the chains binding it. Clearly, it was something that should be destroyed.
However, Mihaya responded calmly.
“… Is that the organization’s decision?”
“No. The organization merely ordered the elimination of Ouroboros. Anything beyond that is my own will.”
With that, Solciera deployed a magic circle in front of Tourak and the others.
Though initially cautious, Tourak was soon astonished by what he saw in the magic circle.
“… Rinka?”
Inside the magic circle was the image of the monster, but at its center was the unmistakable figure of a familiar girl.
Seeing the shock on Tourak’s and Mihaya’s faces, Solciera explained.
“That is Ouroboros. A fusion transcendence of the dungeon and human. Its essence controls the infiltration into the world and aims to make it a weapon for humanity… though that’s irrelevant now. What’s important is…”
“Rinka has been absorbed by Ouroboros,” Tourak finished.
Solciera nodded at Tourak’s words and pointed at Lutra, which Tourak held.
“From here on, the power of Succession Body No. 4, Lutra, will be needed.”
“Lutra?”
‘I absolutely refuse, Tourak. I’ll be scrapped. Let’s boycott.’
Ignoring Lutra’s clear display of aversion, Solciera continued.
“You currently have two destinies before you.”
Her icy eyes pierced through Tourak.
They were sharp enough to feel like they were seeing into the depths of his soul.
“One is to hand over Lutra and leave this place. Then, I will handle Ouroboros, and I promise the safety of the girl named Rinka.”
That path pushed all responsibility onto Solciera, choosing the way of a powerless child. It was the safest option, yet unbearably lukewarm destiny.
“The other is to fight alongside me as Lutra’s contractor. Your amateurish sword skills might end up killing Rinka. You’ll be gambling her life for your own ego.”
This was the path of the Asura, where one bore everything alone.
Every tragedy, every misfortune, every difficulty would need to be cut through with one’s own strength. Strength was more necessary than anything else.
And that was precisely…
“Then, I’ll wield my sword as Lutra’s contractor.”
Above all else, it was the destiny that represented Tourak as a person.
“Do you have the resolve?”
“I do. I want to save many people with these hands—not because it’s something only I can do, but because it’s something I want to do. I want to rescue Rinka and truly become friends this time. That’s why I’ll fight.”
Along with his words, Tourak stared directly at Solciera.
It was Solciera who spoke first.
“… Oh, you’re such a good person.”
She gave a wry smile and asked Mihaya, “Is he always like this?”
Mihaya replied cheerfully, as if it were her own affair, “Yes, isn’t it wonderful?”
“Understood. From here on, I’ll treat you as a comrade in battle. No complaints allowed.”
With that, Solciera turned her back on Tourak and the others and aimed her large sickle at Ouroboros.
Mihaya and Tourak exchanged glances and nodded before standing beside her.
“So, what should I do?”
“Use Lutra to sever the connection between Ouroboros and Rinka.”
‘Directly striking the core in the center should work, I believe.’
With Lutra’s clarification, Tourak set his objective. Instead of the usual long-range strikes, this required sneaking past the tentacles for a direct assault on the main body.
The difficulty level of combat was fundamentally different.
His battle experience told him that it was impossible.
But right beside him was someone who could overturn that impossibility.
“I’ll create the path with Mihaya. Consider it a privilege to be escorted by two girls.”
“You should feel honored to be accompanied by two girls.”
Mihaya readied her gun, and Solciera her scythe. It was an unprecedented sight.
A mysterious beautiful girl who was considered a legendary monster fighting alongside them.
“Well then, shall we begin?”
Immediately after Solciera’s words, the chains binding Ouroboros shattered. Ouroboros went wild, wreaking havoc more violently than ever before.
No trace of rationality remained in that entity.
“… I’ll save you now.”
Tourak declared with determination.
Thus began this peculiar alliance.
■
Great, the chains broke perfectly on cue!
‘You didn’t need to destroy them deliberately…’
Shut up!
In what world does a boss get defeated while restrained?
These kinds of battles must follow the principles of a mysterious beautiful girl!
‘Ugh, I regret contracting with you.’
Why are you questioning my judgment when I’m about to save another beautiful girl?
What kind of partner of a beautiful girl are you if you don’t understand such actions?
‘Mysterious beautiful girl, mysterious beautiful girl—enough already?! Besides, what was that talk about stars and organizations? I know nothing of such things.’
I don’t know either!
‘Hmm…’
I’m saying that I want to be recognized as a mysterious beautiful girl!
And I want to bond with other beautiful girls.
Ideally, I’d love to spend morning to night tangled up with them.
For that, I’ll save Rinka.
No matter what, I’ll save her.
Even if it means breaking the original story!
‘Saying weird things again…’
Agiri Rinka is the first regular character to die in the original story.
She appeared early in the series and was a bright character who gained popularity, but she was brutally killed to indicate the direction of the work.
After that, readers, including myself, were constantly on edge due to the fact that regular characters could be killed off casually.
I love the original story.
This world should be saved by Tourak, and unnecessary interference should be avoided for that purpose.
Rinka’s death was also a factor in strengthening Tourak.
Here, I should have left Rinka behind.
But…
Because I became a beautiful girl…
Because being a beautiful girl means you can get away with anything…
Isn’t it natural to save the beautiful girl who dies in the original story?
“Tourak, the path is open. The rest is your job.”
“Go on, Tourak!”
“Yeah.”
With the combination of myself and Mihaya-chan, we slashed through the tentacles and carved out a straight path leading to Ouroboros’ core.
Now I’m getting worried.
Will Lutra really work?
“Don’t worry. Lutra can cut anything desired, except us, of course.”
Impressive, mysterious beautiful girl!
Even against Lutra, you’re unfazed!
Yeah!
‘Yeah!’
If the Star Reader’s Staff says so, I can trust it!
Without paying attention to my worries, Tourak charged toward Ouroboros with Lutra drawn.
Come on, Tourak!
Honestly, I used to love your despair-stricken face when you realized the monster you cut down was Rinka, but I’ll prepare a substitute actor for that next time ♥
Let’s go with Solciera this time ♥
‘Hey, don’t drag me into this!’
Yeah!
‘Hey!’
Leaving the annoying Star Reader’s Staff aside, I floated lightly into the air.
Come to think of it, I can float now.
…I’ll have to change my underwear too since my skirt might get seen.
‘Your outfit didn’t include underwear changes, so it remains the same. Be more careful next time.’
Yes… sorry. I lacked awareness as a beautiful girl…
‘That’s the only time you seriously reflect…’
While thinking about appropriate underwear for Solciera, I started moving for my next mysterious beautiful girl maneuver.
Let’s make it flashy!
‘Ah, you’re really going to unleash that, huh? I don’t care personally.’
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ni hyōi tensei shita ore wa TS o akiramenai, かませ役
