Chapter 46

Congratulations on reaching 20,000 points!

...I ended up showing an uncool side of myself.

 

Moreover, there were many witnesses to this situation.

 

I wanted to crawl into a hole. Feeling like lazing around on a bed, I left Chesed with the other two once my tears had dried up. Hiding my tear-streaked eyes and flushed face under my silk hat, I took a deep breath to calm myself.

 

The two Savers were being gentlemen about it and turned their faces away without saying a word.

 

But why do you two look embarrassed just from looking at me?

 

Maybe it’s that. The thing called second-hand embarrassment. I get it... When a protagonist in an anime suddenly shouts in front of the general public, I end up averting my eyes from the screen. Even though it has nothing to do with me, humans are weird, aren’t they?

 

──Now then, the revived Chesed.

 

Given how much worse he was treated than in the original story, I thought it would be unavoidable for him to have a bad impression toward humans.

 

For that reason, I was very worried about what kind of stance he would take towards us moving forward, but──He said to Malkuth with a serious expression,

 

『Malkuth, I will go with them. I must meet Ein Sof and settle the matter with Keter.』

 

『...Is that… absolutely necessary? 』

 

『Yes, it is absolutely necessary』

 

His appearance, saying that with unclouded eyes, was exactly that of a holy beast that is at a lost for words. (tl note: sounds weird, but ぐうの音も出ない here means ‘not even able to say one word of rebuttal or excuse.’)

 

Malkuth seemed to anticipate his response and did not raise her voice in protest but couldn’t hide her shock.

 

Meanwhile, Mea-chan, En, and Chouta seemed a bit bewildered by Chesed’s decision to join us.

 

"Chesed... is it okay?"

 

"It’ll be helpful to have you come with us, but..."

 

"Are you okay with this?"

 

『? What do you mean?』


“...Regardless of what happened with Kaitzul, it’s a fact that we humans did some good-for-nothing things to you. That’s…”

 

It was only natural to feel conflicted. After all, the humans he approached to negotiate peace with violated his body as they pleased. If it were me, I’d forget about staying calm and completely lose my temper.

 

Honestly, I think that of the Ten Archangels of Sefirot, this child has the most qualifications to hate humans.

 

As En voiced the feelings we all shared, Chesed smiled wryly and replied,

 

『But aren’t you, the ones who saved me, also humans? Mea and you all showed me that that there aren't only scoundrels in your world. That’s why, my feelings haven’t changed.』

 

"I’m sorry..."

 

『There’s no such thing as a perfect being, En. Even we make mistakes and have our flaws. I was surprised by what happened this time, but… I won't give up on humanity just because of this. After all, we are the those that guide others.』

 

Amazing... he’s an archangel, without a doubt.

 

It’s hard to believe this is the same guy who had just been troubled by two beautiful girls clinging to him like a dense harem protagonist, and there was a halo around his back as he spoke so refreshingly.

 

Of course, that statement left Malkuth next to him looking deeply uneasy.

 

Seeing her like that, Chesed gave an awkward smile and spoke,

 

『Besides… humans are strong. If Keter's plan is carried out, even we holy beasts won't escape unscathed. Many lives will be hurt... neither I nor Ein Sof desire such a thing.』

 

While lightly tapping Malkuth's shoulder with the tip of his wing, Chesed reveals his honest feelings. You're so cool, onii-chan.

 

『Of course, I also don't want to make Malkuth and everyone else to become murderers. For the sake of both our worlds, Keter's plan must absolutely be stopped.』

 

...What a good kid.

 

As expected of my favorite.

 

While tearing at the living Chesed-kun who matches my interpretation perfectly, I give him an appreciation hug.

 

Ah, this blanket-like sensation is irresistible! I almost want to fall asleep leaning against this.

 

『E-eight-sama!?』

 

"Chesed, you're such a kind child... thank you."

 

Thank you for being present. Thank you for not being absent.

 

This… this sense of security!

 

The one who guided En’s group in the original work, Archangel of Mercy Chesed.

 

Man, I'm so happy. His appearance changed from the original, but he is genuinely Chesed.

 

Also, being addressed with ‘sama’ by my favorite gives me a weird thrill, a mix of ticklish awkwardness and strange delight. I don’t really mind being addressed without any honorific. I've told him as much, but he refuses to change.

 

When petted him, Chesed squirmed in embarrassment. What's that about?

 

『The king will not approve.』

 

『Malkuth, as I said earlier, even angels can make mistakes. Keter is no exception.』

 

『...』

 

Chesed's ideology must be unamusing to Malkuth, who was born for Keter and lived for Keter.

 

However, since the words came from her beloved older brother, she doesn't lash out.

 

Perhaps it's because her mind has stabilized significantly after being able to speak with him again.

 

Because the one most affected was too magnanimous, she might be struggling with how to vent her resentment toward humans. We could use the boss of PSYence as a scapegoat and reconcile with that… is what I thought, but that's something for future negotiations.

 

What En’s group is doing in this world is merely setting the stage for negotiation. Since the king of the Ten Archangels of Sefirot will not budge even with helpers, the mediation of the Holy Dragon is absolutely necessary. (tl note: helper can also mean lever)

 

『When the king strays from the path, it is also our mission to correct those mistakes. After all, we possess the necessary power to do so.』

 

『You’re just a small fry right now, aren’t you?』

 

『Ugh... that’s painful to hear, haha.』

 

『...I understand. If that's how you feel, Chesed, I won't say anything more. Since I've already lost to these humans, I'll step back. I'll step back for you! I'm your younger sister, after all! ...But the king and Chokmah are not like this.』

 

For Malkuth personally, the return of Chesed, who had been the greatest driving force for her, seemed to have quelled her hostility toward En and the others, even if her expression remained complicated.

 

I also don’t want to fight her… If possible, I’d like to meet her again after everything is resolved and this world has achieved peace.

 

Malkuth let out a deep sigh, then met Chesed’s gaze and spoke.

 

『...Take care, onii-chan.』

 

『Yeah, thank you, Malkuth.』

 

FOO! Seriously, tsunderes are the best!

 

Though she was so fixated before, don’t call her distant now. These two are siblings who have spent immeasurable years together, and their solid bonds wouldn’t be shaken after being temporarily divided into ally and enemy.

 

Come to think of it, in the original work Fairy Savers, their conflict was probably just the result of misunderstandings caused by a lack of communication.

 

Having said what they needed to, both Chesed and Malkuth parted ways with refreshed smiles.

 

『Then let’s go, everyone. I’ll guide you to Elohim.』

 

“Aah, much appreciated.”

 

I infused dark energy directly from my hand into Chesed’s vessel, the Merciful Phoenix, enlarging it. Before long, its massive form exceeded 10 meters, by no means inferior to Chesed in his prime.

 

As we all climb one after another unto his back, the everyone from the island waved us off.

 

Ah, the flying boy from yesterday is there too. Yoo-hoo!

 

As I waved back and thanked them for their send-off, the chief angel gave a snappy salute as their representative. How elegant.

 

『Chesed-sama, and saviors, please take care!』

 

“Yeah! Thanks for your help!”

 

『Take care of the island. I’ll definitely return… even if this life of mine has to be reborn.』

 

Like I said, this archangel is too serious!

 

This made the youngest sister worry. The moment he uttered something ominous, Malkuth, who had tried so hard to bid him a cheerful farewell, looked frightened again.

 

『Don’t worry, Malkuth.』

 

『...?』

 

It can’t be helped, then. For this youngest sister who has such a reckless big brother, this cheat original protagonist-sama will swear an oath.

 

I spoke directly to her through private telepathy.

 

『Chesed will definitely come back safe and sound. I swear on the pride of T.P. Eight Olishua.』

 

『…Please… take care of onii-chan.』

 

Yeah, leave it to me.

 

No matter how many death flags Chesed sets up from here on, the cheat original protagonist will force to them to yield with superfluous power. That’s what makes a cheat original protagonist a cheat original protagonist.

 

That’s why, no one connected to me will ever have a gloomy expression!

 

“Then let’s go. To the Island of Understanding, Elohim!”

 

The original protagonist gives the signal to start. It's the perfect move. The leader is En, though.

 

Then, Chesed, looking very happy and carrying us on his back, soared into the blue sky.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

──He left.

 

As the humans riding on her older brother’s distant back disappeared from view, Malkuth saw them off with a mix of emotions.

 

Though her words were cheerful, in truth, she never wanted to part from her beloved brother again. She wanted to tie him up and lock him away in a room.

 

However, Malkuth understood that nothing she said would stop him.

 

Being one of the Ten Archangels of Sefirot as well, he also had beliefs he can’t give up on.

 

Just as Malkuth was born as the final sword of Keter, for Chesed, embarking on a journey with humans to stop the conflict was his mission.

 

She thinks it’s a troublesome thing. The nature of someone born as an angel is one that can't help but want to guide others.

 

It was at that moment that Malkuth, who remained standing there alone even after their figures had disappeared,  suddenly heard a woman's voice ring in his head.

 

『Are you fine not going with them?』

 

It was a familiar voice.

 

It had been about a hundred years since she last heard that voice.

 

After all, she rarely appears before the Ten Archangels of Sefirot.

 

… Even though she was an archangel herself .

 

『...I am the final sword of Keter. I currently lack the strength to fight and had to let them go, but I will not defy the word of the king (Keter).』

 

In response to her probing question, which seemed to see through her indescribable feelings, Malkuth replied with slight irritation.

 

From behind him, the woman seemed to shrug her shoulders as if to say, “Good grief.”

 

『You’re such an awkward child, Malkuth. You’re too serious, or should I say stubborn.』

 

『I don’t want to hear that from you. Please leave me alo──?』

 

Why did she only brazenly come out now, and what did she come for… Thinking this, Malkuth turned around and was about to say something.

 

However, when she saw that appearance, the words stopped without her thinking.

 

There stood a black-haired woman with eight wings──the third of the Ten Archangels of Sefirot, the Archangel of “Understanding,” in her true form.

 

It was an exceedingly rare sight for her, as she spent most of her time in a mimicked form.

 

However, even in her true form, her face was hidden behind a jet-black veil covering her head, making her true face impossible to take a look at as always.

 

She wore an jet black outfit reminiscent of a wedding dress, and among the Ten Archangels of Sefirot, few had seen her true face. At the very least, Malkuth had never seen beneath her veil.

 

That was another reason she personally disliked her.

 

『...It’s nostalgic, isn’t it? You appearing in your true form.』

 

『You think so? Ahh, meeting you with this appearance… it must be about 300 years?』

 

『It hasn’t been that long.』

 

Indeed, it had been quite a while, but as far as Malkuth’s memory served, it had been at most 150 years.

 

Malkuth—this generation of Malkuth, unlike her, was still young, not even 300 years old.

 

That was why Malkuth had heard hardly any favorable rumors about her on her island.

 

『It’s unusual for you not to be mimicking anything. Just what kind of wind is blowing?』

 

Malkuth would never forget the time she had mimicked a cute puppy and snuggled to her.

 

Without realizing it, they had bathed and played together. The childhood trauma still echoed within her, even though she was an archangel.

 

『Let’s see… perhaps I was inspired by someone who finally got honest with her beloved big brother.』

 

『...! H-hmph! You were watching? How indecent!』

 

『I had a special seat. It was quite heartwarming.』

 

Malkuth thought that this indecent archangel must have been watching somewhere on the island.

 

As Netzach had mentioned, she faintly felt her presence on T.P. Eight Olishua.

 

Most likely, she had likely been trying to “understand” her through her specialty, observation.

 

Now that she had distanced herself from her, Malkuth guessed that she had largely completed her “understanding.”

 

In that case, it was perfect. There was something Malkuth wanted to ask the Angel of Understanding.

 

『… Is that person Daat?』

 

The true identity of T.P. Eight Olishua.

 

The Primordial Archangel Daat theory Hod spoke of.

 

Malkuth felt something something from her──a mysterious sensation, like a warm feeling in her heart.

 

She was curious about how the Angel of Understanding perceived her.

 

The Angel of Understanding answered her question with vague words.

 

『I think the possibility is high. Of course, it’s not certain. There are still many mysteries surrounding her. While I was observing her, I marked her so the other fairies wouldn’t bother her... but the effects have been weakening over time. I’m certain she’s a more influential figure than I am. She even noticed my gaze. Is her true identity our mother, Daat, or perhaps…』

 

At that point, the Angel of Understanding stopped speaking.

 

Her evasive manner of speaking made Malkuth frown. She didn’t like this part of her either.

 

『Or perhaps, what is it?』

 

In response to Malkuth's question, she raised her index finger and replied,

 

『Confirming that is also the job of angels, Malkuth. Well then, give my regards to Keter.』

 

She acted as though she were a master.

 

Malkuth considered saying something in complaint, but before she could, her figure disappeared from the spot.

 

Teleportation—one of the sacred arts she excelled at.

 

She was an elusive archangel who appeared and disappeared at will.

 

Malkuth muttered a resentful complaint.

 

『That’s exactly why the king (Keter) gets angry with you, Binah... because of things like that.』

 

As expected, she is not good with the eldest daughter.

 

Archangel of Understanding Binah.

 

Like the other Ten Archangels of Sefirot, she possessed eight wings, but what set her apart was that about half of the four wings on her left side were missing.

 

Tiferet speculated that she avoided revealing her true form because she didn’t want anyone to see her unsightly wings, but… Malkuth didn’t think so.

 

It was said that her left wings had been damaged long ago when she foolishly picked a fight with the king (Keter), but… if she was still thinking of bad things, Malkuth was prepared to raise his sword against her, the eldest daughter.

 

──Though she doesn’t want to do that.

 

With a sigh, Malkuth looked wistfully at the sky where her brother had disappeared.

 

(author: I was surprised when I woke up this morning to see that I had gained a lot of points.

Thanks to that, I've achieved my goal! Thank you so much!)

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