Execute T.P. Eight Olishua
The Primordial Archangel Charon.
That was the name of a legendary archangel recorded in the myths of Fairy World’s time of creation──said to have protected the Fairy World since before the era when the oldest Sefirot Archangel Keter was born.
She was also the first angel born from the World Tree Sefira, and in the ancient great war, a being who fought Abyss Zero together with the Holy Dragon Ain Sof and her younger sister, the Archangel Daat.
After the great war, in order to protect the World Tree Sefira which had suffered fatal damage by the Abyss, she assimilated her own body with the World Tree together with the power entrusted to her by Daat. Thereafter, even while losing her body as the “Will” of the World Tree Sefira, she had been watching over the time of Fairy World unseen for hundreds of millions of years.
The golden eyes she possessed were said to see through every world, every possible future.
In the battle five years ago, having foreseen the future of destruction brought by Abyss Zero, in order to save the two worlds, she acted secretly together with her younger sister Daat, and continued to resist that fate in places not even recognized by the Ten Archangels of Sefirot.
Ultimately, by the power of Daat──T.P. Eight Olishua──stealing that will from within the World Tree, Charon achieved fusion with her.
The sisters, who had been separated for hundreds of millions of years, finally reunited, and together headed to the final battle to overturn the fate of destruction, striving in the sealing of Abyss Zero.
…And up to here was the person known as the Primordial Archangel Charon that Mitsui Mea knew. No, in terms of the rank of existence that surpassed even Keter, the king of the Archangels, it might be more correct to refer to her not as a person but as a divine being.
『I’ve always been moving together with her──with Nee-san, to save the future.』
Mea remembered.
That information about her was brought five years ago, and before the decisive battle against “Abyss Zero,” who made an appearance to everyone for the first time, it was the words of T.P. Eight Olishua, who introduced her before everyone and only then revealed her own identity and purpose.
『Nee-san has for a long time been fighting alone against a future of destruction that even I can’t observe. Now, like this, you human saviors and Keter’s group, the Ten Archangels of Sefirot, are gathered… seeking a future of light where we stand shoulder to shoulder together and challenge the Demon King.』
『So that’s how it is.』
『Nee-san.』
『Mm… yes. I have been waiting for this moment.』
『…Very well. If that is Daat’s wish, use my life as much as you please.』
『Thank you, Keter.』
『We feel the same way too. Right? Everyone.』[En]
『Oh yeah!』[Chouta]
Immediately after defeating Keter, the King of the Ten Archangels of Sefirot, the true enemy revealed from her mouth──Abyss Zero.
It was the primordial darkness that was once called the Demon King and tried to bring this world to ruin.
By learning the existence they truly should fight, En’s group, the Savers, also strengthened their unity, and at that time everyone gathered under her with one heart.
『Let’s fight, everyone. To seize our future.』
Everyone nodded strongly at her words, as she had helped them many times until then, and without hesitation took the hand that was extended. At that time, the very first to take her hand was Mea.
Even now she remembered it vividly──Mea’s precious memory.
The white Primordial Archangel Charon who appeared in Mea’s crisis.
By her descent, the situation changed for the better all at once. That was not because she forced the gray aberrations to yield with overwhelming violence befitting her title──rather, her power ultimately denied the act of fighting them itself. (tl note: grotesque being -> aberrations)
By forcibly transferring the aberrations to the other side of the Gate.
The moment she casually raised her right hand, the aberration that was about to attack her, and the two aberrations that had been restraining Mea. The aberrations on the ground that had devoured the Dark Dolls and were reaching out toward Arisu also disappeared from this town in an instant.
“This is, a Primordial Archangel’s… Eight-san’s older sister’s power…”
That power which drove back the enemy unilaterally without even allowing a fight.
Mea, freed from restraint by the forced repatriation of the aberrations, was aghast at the power of a true angel that was clearly on a different level from herself.
While looking down at her with unwavering golden eyes, Charon opened her mouth with just a faint self-mocking smile.
『It’s a temporary solution. Just now, I used up most of my power.』
Facing the side of the Gate to which she had sent back the aberrations, she declared this with a solemn expression.
『I'm going to fall now, so I want you to catch me.』
At that moment, the ten wings, proof of the highest angel, vanished from her back.
Turning back and returning Mea’s gaze with a fleeting look, before long Charon──fell.
“Eh”
As if absentmindedly walking along the roadside alone.
Showing no resistance whatsoever to Earth’s gravity, she fell from the wide open sky.
With a straight face.
“…Eh? Eh!?”
It was too lacking in context… no, she herself had properly declared it and asked for support, but the gap between that and the goddess-like sacred atmosphere she had been emitting until then caused Mea to fall greatly behind in processing the information before her.
『Hm… the sky of this world is also a fine thing.』
“Please don’t say that while falling…!”
『My apologies.』
It was when Charon’s altitude had less than ten meters left before reaching the ground that Mea, her thinking returned, hurriedly caught her body.
To the Archangel who seemed far too calm for someone who had nearly crashed, Mea hesitantly called out.
“Ar-are you alright…?”
『Nice catch. Mea is kind.』
“No, this isn’t about being kind…”
Carefully holding Charon’s body in both arms, Mea slowly descended in order to rejoin Arisu on the ground.
Thanks to Charon, the aberrations had disappeared. However, she had said “a temporary solution.” In that case, from the interdimensional Gate that still remained open, those aberrations would appear again.
While catching sight at the edge of her vision of the gigantic great tree “Tree of Evil,” something that clearly did not occur naturally in this world, Mea asked her.
“What on earth… is happening?”
To speak honestly, for Mea, the woman named Charon was someone with whom, despite hints of a deep connection, she had hardly ever spoken, so she could not gauge the sense of distance between them.
However, this time she could not afford to say that, and she pressed her for answers, as she seemed to know something about this situation.
Charon closed her eyes at that question, and after a brief silence, answered.
『They are called [Greysphere]. A fleeting light branched from Abyss Zero, and another darkness.』
Greysphere──at that name of an existence different from neither Abyss nor holy beast, Mea had her breath caught in her throat.
Having joined up with the three, Yamikumo Arisu, Kazaoka Tsubasa, and Yamikumo Kakeru, Mea then headed to the Savers headquarters together with Charon, bringing them along.
Leaving aside Arisu, who was a contracted member, even Tsubasa, who had left the Savers, and Kakeru, an ordinary person with no affiliation history to begin with, had gathered there because, according to Charon, it was a matter that concerned the two of them as well.
“So Kakeru-kun saved Arisu. Thank you!”
“Y-yeah… well, I’m her older brother. It can’t be helped that I protect my weak little sister.”
“Who are you calling weak?”
“You didn’t train your body at all even though Mitsui told you, right? That’s why you freak out that much just from an enemy getting close.”
“Muu… this brother of mine taking the chance to lord it over me.”
“I’m glad you two are safe…”
The reason Yamikumo Kakeru, the older brother of Yamikumo Arisu, was there was because, while Mea was struggling with two aberrations, he had dashed gallantly to his sister’s predicament.
At the moment when the dark persons* protecting their master had been mostly devoured and it seemed it was all over, while shouting “What are you doing to my sister!”, he appeared clad in the specially made battle suit “Fairy Cyber Suit” that only those without supernatural abilities could equip. (tl note: not a mistranslation)
The emerald green suit, reputed among the boys in his class to be like the protagonist of a tokusatsu* hero show that aired on Sunday mornings, was a one-of-a-kind custom-made item said to have been produced by his childhood friend who possesses the supernatural ability “Cyber Connect,” which had high affinity with science, and it was equipped with functions that enhanced the body. (tl note: genre of live-action film or television that makes heavy use of practical special effects)
Thanks to that benefit and the skills and fists he had honed through steady daily training, it worked even against the aberrations, and although he could not defeat them, he splendidly saved his sister from danger.
Though those two were now exchanging light remarks in front of Mea, one could see the solid trust they had cultivated as close siblings between them.
“Tsubasa-san as well, thank you.”
“I barely did anything. I couldn’t land the finishing blow before Charon-sama sent them flying, and the MVP on the ground isn’t me, it’s this kid.”
“Heh heh.”
“Onii-chan, you’re blushing too much, it’s gross.”
“Shut up… you’re one to talk.”
Kazaoka Tsubasa, who was beside them, seemed to have noticed the abnormality in the town and immediately turned back, rushing to the struggling Kakeru, together with a gale.
While lightly patting Kakeru’s shoulder, he modestly responded to Mea’s thanks, but in truth, he had been overwhelming the aberrations, unknown enemies, to the point of almost instant defeat.
With the speed that once let him monopolize the title of fastest of the Savers, he toyed with the enemy, and with wind bullets fired from his beloved gun, he thoroughly shot through the sphere in the chest that seemed to be the aberration’s weak point──the Yamikumo siblings whom he had helped recounted.
That ability, which nearly defeated the Abyss-like enemies without even using Fairy Burst, seemed not to have rusted after leaving the Savers, but rather to have become more refined than five years ago.
After confirming that the threat had temporarily left Akebono City, Mitsui Akihiro, who as the Supreme Commander of Savers greeted them all at the headquarters facility, upon seeing Charon, first bowed his head as Mea’s foster father, saying, “Thank you for saving my daughter and her friends.”
However, even he widened his eyes at Charon’s bombshell statement, who matter-of-factly replied, 『No need for thanks. Mea is also my child,』 and exchanged looks with Mea as if to ask what that meant.
Originally, he surely would have wanted to question that matter thoroughly.
However, given the situation, the Supreme Commander of Savers prioritized his duty as a public figure.
“Everyone, well done returning safely.”
Mitsui Akihiro, the Supreme Commander of Savers, who had gathered Mea and the others in the conference room, spoke on behalf of all and addressed the person who seemed to be an important witness for this incident, the Primordial Archangel Charon.
“I would like to ask directly… are those the Abyss?”
At that question, those gathered in the conference room all stirred.
“The Abyss… weren’t they already gone…?”
It was Yamikumo Kakeru who muttered that common opinion.
The Abyss, the enemy of all life that appeared from the abyss of Fairy World and caused tremendous damage to the two worlds five years ago.
However, the battle against them came to an end when their leader, the Primordial Darkness Abyss Zero, was once again sealed beyond the dimensions.
Along with the name of the greatest contributor, Daat──T.P. Eight Olishua, that fact had now become a shared understanding spread across both worlds.
『The Abyss remain asleep in the Abyssal World. Of course, the seal placed on the Primordial Darkness has not been lifted.』
Since their activation itself originally occurred due to the approach of Abyss Zero, with the source having been subdued, it was said that now all the Abyss, including the Qlippoth of the Abyss, have returned to the Abyssal World and entered a dormant state.
In other words, those aberrations were not the Abyss.
“…Yeah. I felt it too, but those didn’t have the presence of the Abyss…”
Mea had also asked the Ten Archangels of Sefirot who occasionally came to see her about the Abyss .
There had been no reports of reactivation, and even Chesed, who had been monitoring the sea of clouds, had said, 『Since Daat-sama sealed Abyss Zero, everyone’s been surprisingly quiet. It was like peacefully sleeping babies.』
At the very least, it was Mea’s personal opinion that those aberrations were not “Abyss that appeared from Fairy World.”
“Greysphere… was it. Charon-sama said so.”
『I did.』
A new enemy, Greysphere.
When Kazaoka Tsubasa spoke the name of an existence similar yet different from Abyss, Charon affirmed it.
Akihiro then questioned her on it.
“I would like you to tell us what it is. That great tree… including the Tree of Evil, we are overwhelmingly lacking in information right now.”
『That is why I came. I made an unreasonable request to Eight, but…』
Regarding that matter, as expected, Charon, who was well informed about the circumstances, showed no begrudging in the disclosure of information to them, and replied reassuringly to Akihiro’s words.
However, at the name “Eight,” which she murmured with just a slightly apologetic expression, everyone including Mea twitched their brows.
──It was at that moment.
“C-Commander! Excuse me for interrupting the meeting!”
“What is it?”
A Savers staff member who had rushed into the meeting room while breathing heavily reported to Akihiro.
“Requests for help from each branch…! Monsters… gray monsters have appeared all over Japan and are attacking children!”
“What!?”
Unidentifiable aberrations were rampaging not only in this city of Akebono, but in all corners of the country.
The same thing that had just happened where they were was occurring simultaneously outside the prefecture as well.
“I’ll move out immediately!”
Without hesitation, Mea made her decision.
However, as she started to run, Charon grabbed her shoulder expressionlessly and stopped her.
『There’s no need for that.』
What she declared was a single line that was far too cruel for Mea, who had a strong sense of justice.
『Even if you head there, you won’t make it in time.』
“...Even so, I’ll go! I can make it… I have wings for that purpose!”
“I’ll go too, Mea-chan. I’m no longer with the Savers, but I’m still a valuable flying human.”
“Tsubasa-san!”
Those aberrations, the Greysphere, each possessed combat capabilities far surpassing that of ordinary supernatural ability users. If multiple of them were rampaging at the same time, the situation was urgent.
As Charon said, even if they went to help now, they might not be able to stop the damage to the town, but if they did not go, it would surely become worse. Even so, Mea, who could rush to the scene with her own flight ability, could go to help faster than anyone.
Tsubasa, who likewise had the ability to fly, seemed to share her opinion, and tried to follow without hesitation──but Charon’s expression, as she held Mea’s shoulder, did not waver.
『Wait.』
With just that one word, she cool-headedly declared.
Mea could not understand at all what her inorganic golden eyes were looking at.
“What is it!? Why are you stopping me!? Is it because… even if I go, I’d be powerless…?”
Unable to bear it, she shouted as she asked.
That image, as if throwing a tantrum in front of a mother, was a very rare sight for the honor student Mea, and even her adoptive father, Mitsui Akihiro, widened his eyes.
At this moment, her heart had lost its usual calmness. There were several reasons.
Impatience toward the unknown enemy rampaging in various places.
Fear over her precious friend Arisu being attacked.
A sense of duty that she, who had power, must help the people in trouble.
And the various complicated emotions toward the wingless archangel before her, who claimed to be her mother, were disturbing her mind.
Receiving Mea’s glare-like gaze, Charon spoke with a very slight apologetic look, her eyes downcast.
『……No……the Greysphere that appeared in various places will be dealt with before you reach them. By Eight』
「Eh……?」
「Hmm？」
「Hah？」
「Oohー……!」
「.….」
In order from the top, these were the reactions of Mea, Akihiro, Kakeru, Arisu, and Tsubasa respectively.
Those who understood and those who did not all took it in their own ways, but what was certain was that everyone present wanted detailed information about that person.
Seeing the state of Mea and the others, perhaps thinking that everyone had calmed down for the moment, Charon, looking relieved, suddenly leaned over on the spot──and before anyone knew when it had gotten there, she held the body of a carbuncle that had snuggled up to her feet and said:
『Therefore, I want you to protect this town──this message, I’ve received from Eight』
「Kyu」
While holding Kabbalah-chan to her ample chest, the sight of her stroking Kabbalah-chan’s head in a relaxed manner was exactly that of what should be called a goddess of affection. Her aloof, self-paced demeanor made everyone there think, “as expected, she is that younger sister’s older sister.”
However, the information she brought was far too concise compared to its density, so everyone became greatly perplexed in unison.
──The information that “all the aberrations that appeared in various places were repelled by T.P. Eight Olishua” was brought to them ten minutes later.
(Author: Although it was intentionally skipped in the main story because it strays from the main thread, if there’s an opportunity, I would like to properly depict the details of the Abyss Zero battle someday (´･ω･`))