Chapter 78: Akechi and Oda

Akira-san, Oda-san.

Two men bearing the surnames of two famous Warring States period warlords sat before me, frozen in place.

"Um, one question, okay?"

Please, go ahead.

What exactly are you doing to us right now? Some kind of hypnosis?

A look of calculation on the face of Akira.

It seemed as though they were genuinely questioning from the depths of their heart.

"Then, neither of you has ever encountered a mysterious power like this before?"

(Do not lie. Answer honestly.)

As a precaution, he commands,

"Of course not."

"A-ah, yeah..."

Startled by their own mouths speaking automatically, the two respond.

Hmm.

In that case, the existence of the "Spirit Walker" becomes even more mysterious.

Or perhaps there was an oversight in the [Skill Inspection]?

It's not impossible. After all, we haven't examined everyone here yet.

"What about the existence of 'Messiah' at the aviation park?"

"I've heard they use strange magic, but that's all."

"I see."

You really don't seem to know anything about it.

"O... are you planning to kill us?"

Oda-san seems genuinely worried about that possibility.

Well, it's understandable.

Since I feel sorry for him, I decided to ease his mind on that point.

"I won't kill you."

"Y-yes... I see..."

"However, from now on, you will no longer be able to defy my orders. Just command you to die, and you'll gladly comply. It can be done simply by thinking it in your mind—there's no way to escape. So, please, try not to make any unnecessary moves."

He states it matter-of-factly, simply explaining the facts.

Perhaps that was the mistake.

"...Ugh...!"

Oda suddenly clamped a hand over his mouth and rushed toward a nearby trash can, emptying his entire dinner into it.

"Geh... gah, gah... "

"Sorry about that... Just pretend you didn't see it and accept it as is."

"What the hell?! Why me?! What did I do?! What did we do?!"

Seeing a grown man half-crying like that, I couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt.

At that moment,

"Oda. Shut up for a bit."

Akira fixed a sharp gaze upon his subordinate.

"...Uuu..."

That was enough to silence Oda completely.

"I understand what you're trying to say....So? What should we do? If you could kill him anytime, why are you still keeping him alive? That must mean there's still something he needs to accomplish, right?"

I nodded.

"From now on, I expect you to stop threatening nearby residents. Also, work together with the people at the aviation park to do your utmost to save as many lives as possible. And as for your lovers, grant them the right to choose their own partners."

"...Hmph."

Akira spoke with a bitter expression.

"Pathetic. So in the end, you're just another insignificant humanitarian."

"Say whatever you want. But you understand, don't you, what happens if you break your promise?"

"Of course. I'll follow your words. As a result, many people will come here—scum among them. Numerous events beyond my control will surely occur."

"If that happens, then that happens—another leader will come, bringing a different order than the one you created....Frankly, if you had been a better leader to begin with, none of this would have been necessary."

With that, Oda shouted.

"Boss... Nagamasa isn't a bad leader!"

I couldn't let him have the last word.

I glared back at Oda.

Shouldn't someone who restrains another's freedom deserve to be restrained in freedom themselves?

Natural words came out.

Am I wrong, or are they?

I don't know that.

But I didn't want to lie about how I was feeling right now.

"If I hear that you'll be acting in ways that go against human decency from now on... well, I can command you anytime, anywhere. I can make your suffering far worse than death."

"It seems there's no right of refusal, then."

"Good to know you're reasonable."

Makoto stares at me with defiant eyes, as if deciding that this is the only way to fight back.

"...May I ask something?"

"Please do."

"Are you... some kind of heavenly messenger or something?"

"A heavenly...?"

"There's no surprise you'd think that. Just a month or so ago, the lid of the hellish cauldron was lifted. Monsters flooded the world. And then, you appeared—someone wielding mysterious powers."

"No. I'm just a regular high school girl who happened to be given power."

"Girl? So, 'Glasses'—are you actually a girl?"

Oh right, I hadn't noticed—she's in a male form now.

"That's right. This form is just temporary."

"Wow. So you can change your appearance too... Almost like a magician."

"Well, that's about it."

I'm a warrior, though.

"One last thing."

"Hmm?"

"Are you... are you playing with us humans?"

"I'm just as human as you are."

"I can't really believe that. Given the situation right now, and how you're involved."

Then, Akira slowly moved his face closer.

That was the first time I truly felt fear toward this man.

Saying he's an "ideal salesman" wasn't a joke at all.

He really was the boss of the gang after all.

"I'll bite into your throat one day—make no mistake about it."

Even with his life in my hands, he could still make that face.

Yeah, this guy's definitely not just an ordinary person.

While smoothly deflecting the sarcasm with a smile, he stands up.

That's enough.

I had considered bringing him back to the aviation park if this could be settled through talk, but he wouldn't listen anyway.

Besides, if anything's missing, I can just order him to do it again.

"Wait."

Akagi called out to his back.

"I'm no longer surprised by anything I see. … What, exactly, are you trying to do with that?"

"——? What do you mean by 'that'?"

Hmph, Hakuba let out a snort.

"Are you kidding? That thing outside the window."

"What?"

Both Hakuba and Oda turned to look at it, their faces twisted in strange expressions.

"What are you—"

Frowning, they stared at the window.

There, a pale blue flame… and a pair of bulging, staring eyes.

"Wha—?!"

The phrase "spirit user" flickered in the corner of his mind.

——Crack!

In an instant, searing heat overwhelmed his vision, caressing the room.