Chapter 51

1.

Truly speaking, I am an uninvited guest.

A foreigner who crossed over from beyond the world into the [Blue Archive].

A presence akin to an unrecorded variable in the tale.

And that was none other than me.

Thus, every time I take action, I cannot help but harbor concerns as I observe Kyebotos changing.

Exactly, to what extent should I intervene?

If I alter the story beyond my control, could I really shoulder all of that?

More importantly, if I were to twist the very foundation of the main story itself, how should I act and make my judgment?

The weakness of reincarnators lay here.

Rather, it wasn’t only the reincarnators; it was certain that all members of the “Reincarnation Circle” must share the same torment.

With prior knowledge and history, they sought changes.

But they feared the backlash of those changes dreadfully, acting cautiously.

They were afraid their edge, their information, would crumble.

Therefore, they always agonized.

Really.

To what extent can I intervene?

In the process, if the original story gets broken, would I be able to bear the consequences of the changes?

The question I once posed to a friend I got along well with, someone I regarded as the most ‘adult’ of all.

“Arrogant talk.”

That ‘someone’ who heard my concerns responded thus.

Arrogant.

Don’t act like you know everything.

Since no one but the divine could predict how the world would flow, it was foolish to try to control all events just because of having a few pieces of information.

Had that been possible, the world wouldn’t have become so complex. She lamented.

She then said, if you’re afraid that the story might not flow in the direction you wish for, you could…

“Sometimes, it’s alright to tear everything down and rewrite it.”

If you’re afraid of the story changing and worry that your desired progression might be altered, it was just a matter of starting everything over from the beginning.

“At least, you can draw the picture in the direction you wish.”

That’s what she said.

I, thinking it was a plausible story, nodded.

2.

In the midst of an episode of anarchy, which beneficiary received the greatest advantage in this Kyebotos?

The delinquent students now free to act as they pleased with the collapse of governance?

Or perhaps Shiranui Kaya, who saw an opportunity to realize her ambitions with Sentum Tower incapacitated?

Or was it the Black Market, which grew stronger with the Valkyries and the SRT losing their power?

No. All of them are incorrect. The answer is—

“Kaiser Corporation, along with the other companies. The entities that benefited the most from this situation are the corporations, freed from the constraints of law and ethics.”

Although the infrastructure’s paralysis lasted for about a month, it wasn’t enough to cause Kaiser and other large corporations to collapse.

In the first place, since this incident didn’t involve just them but included all enterprises, academies, and the entirety of Kyebotos’ citizens, the damages for the companies were mostly due to stagnation from the infrastructure failure. Hence, during this opportunity, companies like Kaiser and many others that exploited illegal means took advantage of the lawlessness to reap numerous benefits.

Kaiser was a prime example of this.

“Does Hihiro plan to punish them all?”

“No, how could I punish every company that engaged in illegal acts? What I intend to do is simply leave a warning, as usual.”

“Warning?”

“A warning to never cross the line. A warning that I will come one day and smash everything if they disregard it.”

“…”

I always left a message imbued with my beliefs and emblem while carrying out my activities.

The simple yet clear principle that good remains as good, and evil falls. The realization of this truth in the world.

I have the power to bring it about, and to show that my gaze reaches everywhere. That was why I had punished evil continuously and relentlessly.

So.

I will also leave a warning to Millennium, D.U, Gehenna, and Abidos alike.

Not only in words, but warnings through all means.

“Using Kaiser as a symbol, I will send a message to all companies.”

That I am still here.

If you continue to accrue karmic debt, this will be the outcome.

Kaiser might feel aggrieved, but I remembered all the karma they had accumulated and will accumulate.

“They should feel aggrieved and regretful. That is your crime.”

Simply,

This time, the villain I pointed out happened to be a corporation.

They won’t have any other choice but to think that way.

“… Hihiro, you’re such a frightening person.”

“Eh, me?”

“I just think it’s fortunate that you don’t have ill intentions. Thank you for growing up as a good person, Hihiro.”

“…Huh? Suddenly?”

At my declaration, Himari’s eyes slightly wavered.

It was akin to the expression of someone who just realized that the cat who had been kind to them was a formidable predator to others.

Her eyes brim with both surprise and reassurance.

Even from her hand that stroked my hair, I could feel the emotions that Himari felt at ease with my presence, though I didn’t know what her story was.

“Indeed, the righteous Hihiro is the coolest.”

“H-Huh?”

Although it was unexpected, I grinned at Himari’s compliment and indulged in the prolonged stroking for a few minutes.

“By the way, Hihiro. Didn’t you get the approval from both SCALE and Seminar for your activities in Abidos? Is this visit related to that?”

“Hmm. No, this is personal. The formal activities will be conducted after the teacher arrives in Abidos.”

“A preliminary reconnaissance, I see. And… this time you’re planning to primarily act as Silk, right?”

I nodded in response.

“Yes. In any case, it’s better for me to move early so that my movements don’t overlap with Silk’s.”

“Indeed. Not bad. Is there anything you’d like me to help with?”

To Himari’s question, I shook my head.

“This time, it’s fine. As before, it would suffice if you support or assist a bit as ‘Vision’.”

This time, the activity is just a “preliminary reconnaissance.”

So, I’ll take Himari’s help later.

“Understood. Please return safely, Hihiro.”

“Yes. I’ll be back. Predecessor.”

With Himari’s farewell ringing in my ears, I journeyed toward Abidos.

3.

“Kuromi Serika. Nice to meet you.”

“My name is Izayoi Nonomi! Nice to meet you, Hihiro!”

“I’m Okusora Ayane! Please take care of me!”

“Sunaokami Shiroko. Nice to meet you.”

The members of the committee unexpectedly embraced me readily into the school.

Perhaps the strategy of approaching them with warmth worked, or possibly they were comfortable because my identity was confirmed, everyone seemed to show interest.

No, not everyone.

“Th-this one over here?”

Still deep in dreamland, slumped over the desk in slumber, no matter how I pointed at her with a wry smile, everyone except Shiroko just shook their heads with a similar smirk.

“Seriously… Predecessor! How are you going to sleep when there’s a guest?”

“Ngnya~?”

Serika approached to wake up Hoshino, who remained seated in the chair, her head nodding off, creating a sight that couldn’t help but induce laughter.

“Sorry! This is Takanaashi Hoshino-senpai, a third-year who often takes naps, a lazy person—please forgive her…”

“Pfft, it’s alright. We have quirks in our school as well. It’s normal for there to be diverse personalities anywhere.”

“Thank you for understanding… You’re such a kind person…”

I smiled slightly, nodding my shoulder. It wasn’t a lie. Even in the club I belonged to, there was someone who always took off their clothes.

“Compared to that, this is a walk in the park.”

Abidos students all left a strong impression of being good-hearted. As seen in the game, and especially after meeting them in person, despite being students from a different academy, they all treated me warmly.

Of course, the distance that came from being from different academies still existed.

“Hihiro, so what brings you to our academy?”

“Ah. It’s not much, but there’s something I want to do at Abidos, and I came here to seek your approval.”

“Approval? From us?”

“Yes.”

Unexpectedly asking for their approval made them stiffen with suspicion, but I gave it little thought and handed them the prepared documents.

Documents on the investigation of superphenomena.

As my recipients read through the material I handed over, they realized their suspicions were unfounded since it carried no content that could harm the school.

“Superphenomena investigation…?”

“Hee~ Sounds like something incredible~?”

“Are these superphenomena really existent in this world?”

Everyone from the committee showed surprised reactions.

Although they looked puzzled, I could only gesture toward the documents with a shrug.

This was more than just the investigation records of the Superphenomenon Special Operations Unit; it was “certified” material recognized and approved for research value by the Seminar.

Even if they didn’t understand superphenomenon-related matters fully, they were aware of the stature of the ‘Seminar,’ thus realizing my claims were neither exaggeration nor lies.

“Is this… true? These stories?”

“A massive snake sleeping in the desert… amazing.”

“Indeed, Millennium operates on a much larger scale…”

Some gasped in shock, some marveled, and others appeared conflicted.

As I expected, their reactions were diverse, and I couldn’t help but chuckle softly. Just then…

“…”

I noticed something peculiar.

Precisely speaking, it wasn’t just one girl. It would be more accurate to say it was the ‘girls’ whose reactions were peculiar.

Not their usual bored attitudes, but Hoshino with a smile like she was reminiscing, and Nonomi looking at her with an enigmatic expression.

Knowing faintly of their past, I inferred why they acted this way, though I could not gauge the emotions they harbored. Considering it not my place to interfere unnecessarily, I simply turned my gaze away and continued the conversation.

“In any case, I’ve come to Abidos to investigate the snake mentioned in the documents. This time, I’m here under the guise of preliminary reconnaissance, and the main activities will be scheduled for later.”

“…So, you’re requesting our consent?”

“Yes. Since there’s no student council in Abidos worthy of that title but you.”

“…”

“…”

My response made the committee members beam with a seemingly touched gaze.

After all, they only gathered out of affection for the school, trying to prevent its closure, and weren’t an official student council. Yet, being referred to as such by another made them feel officially recognized.

And indeed, they are recognized.

“If not people with affection for the school, then what else could the student council possibly be?”

I understand them. The Abidos Committee. They take on responsibilities that aren’t their own.

How much they toiled before meeting the teachers.

How much pain and hardship they endured.

My hurried arrival at Abidos was, at some level, due to that. I wanted to offer a little peace and compensation to those who have toiled endlessly.

And ultimately, I wanted to say, “You’ve worked hard.”

“So, let’s talk more.”

Because I, too, wanted to see you protecting the school.

This was the message I wanted to convey to you.

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