The conference that began today hasnât yet ended after one day, with slow progress made on various detailed adjustments to the plan, the discussion stretched out over the entire day. Compared to the second conference which was little more than a face-to-face meeting, the conference this time began the real work on preparing all the steps so I guess you could say it was natural. In addition, the Divine Word Religion was also being forced to collaborate in an area that hadnât originally been planned, so there were many things to discuss.
The detailed schedule for overthrowing the Kingdom. Seizing hold of the Empire. Laying the groundwork for the other countries. The plans for the march towards the elf village. Devising the means for the demons to be invited into the human territories. The plans for the march towards the elf village for the demons. Once the discussion started on the details it was endless.
Eventually the conference continued until nightfall. The Divine Word Religion treated us to dinner, and even prepared rooms for us so that we were able to have accommodations. If I asked Shiro-san I would be able to return to the demon territories, but it seems that everyone felt like staying over today.
I took a break in the room that lent to me. Before I went to sleep, I wanted to be able to focus on creating magic swords until I used up all my MP.
ăSasa-ya-a-a-n! You still up?ă
Just when I completed the first magic sword, there was a knock on the door and at the same time Kusamaâs voice rang out.
ăYeah Iâm still up. Also, didnât I tell you to call me Wrath?ă
While opening the door, I warned him.
Kusama came into the room without looking the least bit shy. While sighing to myself, I closed the door. Kusama is carrying some sweets and drinks in both hands, so itâs clear that heâs fully intending to stay for a while. With this, Iâll have to give up on being able to create any more magic swords.
ăOh? This is a magic sword?ă
The sharp sighted Kusama spotted the magic sword that Iâd just created.
ăHey hey, Sasa-, Wrath, your skill has gotta be about creating magic swords or something like that right?ă
Kusama asked with his eyes sparkling, and I responded with an affirmation. Itâs likely that I was investigated when I was a rampaging ogre in the human territories in the past. Thatâs why I introduced myself in a way that conveyed that. And also, based on the documents from that time, Iâm sure that they could make a rough guess as to what my particular skill was like.
ăWhatâs your skill, Kusama?ă
ăMe? With my âNinjaâ skill, I can use shadow clones and ninja arts and the like.ă
I figured it was a long shot to ask, but Kusama readily disclosed his own skill. Ahh, yeah, Kusama was the type who couldnât keep a secret after all. Most likely, he doesnât even recognise that it would be better to keep his skill a secret.
ăWell, itâs handy in itâs own way, but Iâm more attracted by magic swords. You canât create magic swords without using ingredients from extremely strong monsters, right? Thatâs why theyâre crazy valuable.ă
Is that so? Since I can create them so long as I have MP, I donât have any sense of them being valuable. They feel disposable to me.
ăHey, hey. Is there any chance, perhaps, that maybe you could create one for me?ă
In response to Kusamaâs begging, I gave the okay after thinking about it for a bit. The reason why I had thought about it for a moment, was that I had misgivings that if I make too many magic swords then the market could collapse. However, I recalled that I had mass produced them at Shiro-sanâs request for equipping her 10th Army with magic swords. Thinking that itâs a bit too late to be worrying about that, I decided to accept Kusamaâs request.
After asking what kind of weapon would be good, I began the creation process. Kusama watched that with great interest. Thus I created them â a pair of short swords. Since heâs a ninja, I added the effect of the darkness attribute to go with it. That might not match Kusamaâs own image though. I named them Saku and Mochi.
ăWahoo! Thank you! Iâll take real good care of them!ă
ăThatâs fine, but please use them properly okay? If you donât use them, then itâs a waste of talent.ă
I handed over Saku and Mochi, and Kusama looked at them with a broad grin. Itâs the reaction of a child receiving a new toy. Since heâs so happy about it, it means it was worthwhile creating them. I go through the sweets that Kusama brought, while waiting for him to have had enough of the swords.
ăSasa-yan, do you feel a bit better now?ă
Kusama just casually asks that. He asked that completely out of nowhere, but I donât need to ask why he asked such a question though. Since my bad mood can easily be understood when seen from the side.
ăI guess so. It was a bit of a change of pace.ă
With the conversation with Kusama, I think my frayed feelings have calmed down a bit. It really is just a little bit though, since thereâs no resolution at a fundamental level. This irritation which is coiled up within my chest with no way to let it out, is probably not going to clear away any time soon.
ăSasa-yan, why are you in such a bad mood? I might not be reliable, but you could at least consult with me, okay?ă
In response to Kusamaâs atypical serious voice, I realise that I must be in an extremely bad state. Even if I talk to Kusama about it, it surely wonât resolve the problem. However, thinking that it might divert my mood, I started to tell the truth bit by bit.
When I first heard about this plan from Shiro-san, the very first thing that came to mind was an indescribable discomfort. A visceral feeling of disgust that couldnât be explained with words. What that was, was the repugnance I felt towards the method of using brainwashing.
Brainwashing was what caused me to gain the Wrath skill. Itâs a despicable method that I hate more than anything else. Yet that is what Shiro-san is using without any hesitation. Sheâs already using it. Natsume is brainwashing people one after the other, while he himself is completely unaware that heâs been brainwashed by Shiro-san. I canât laugh it off.
If it really is necessary, then even I might be able to endure it. However, the recent incident was unexpected even for Shiro-san â it was done âinadvertentlyâ. People fell into disaster, âinadvertentlyâ.
Brainwashing, both for those affected by it and those around them, is a disaster. I killed my little sister by own hands when brainwashed. My brainwashed elder brother was led to perform similar atrocities. When I saw that, I remember being so angry that my vision went completely red.
In this situation, the brainwashed Hasebe-san will surely fall into disaster. In addition, Shun as well after heâs betrayed by Hasebe-san.
I am in the position of supporting that. Actually, rather than supporting, it might be more accurate to say that Iâm in the position of leading that. Although I hadnât know about this situation, I had chosen to support Shiro-san. And that choice has already reached the stage where it cannot be reversed. At this late stage, just because I could evade responsibility for the current brainwashing issue, I canât stop the plan going forwards at all.
I am about to do things that are as atrocious as what those brainwashed are about to do, or maybe even more so. Beyond this point, no matter what reason I may have, those actions will simply be evil to the victims. I am, evil.
To be like that makes me feel nauseous. Even so, I canât stop. I donât even think of stopping. I mustnât think about it.
ăI donât think you have to take it that seriously though. Whether youâre âgoodâ or âevilâ, at the end of the day doesnât it just depend on your standpoint? In that case, you just gotta keep faith that your standpoint is a âgoodâ one.ă
Kusamaâs thoughts on hearing my story, were so straightforward that they were dazzling. Iâm jealous of you for being able to say it like that.
Either way, this is not something that can be stopped with my personal feelings. In that case, I can only press on until the bitter end. Even if it is something evil, I will help Shiro-san until the very end. Yes, until I die.
KusamaăKaiten Kenbu Rokuren!ă
OniăDonât do that inside the room, idiot.ă