Chapter 42

I’ll see if you’re a man suitable for ○○!

(author: The rumor that if you put your daughter into ○○, she becomes the head of the school)

The Ten Archangels of Sefirot, Malkuth of the “Kingdom,” was struggling to work out the human… human? named T.P. Eight Olishua.

 

Hod suspected she might be the primordial Archangel "Daat," and Tiferet seemed half-convinced as well.

 

In the past, the King—Keter used to tell stories about that "Daat."

 

Daat is a legendary archangel said to have saved Fairy World from the Qlippoth of the abyss in ancient times when it was on the brink of destruction.

 

Keter, the only living witness from the era she lived in, completely remembered Daat's countless heroic feats and often shared old stories with the young Malkuth.

 

It seems he told these stories to his brothers as well, and every time a Sefirot Archangel was reborn from the World Tree, Keter would remind them, "We must also guide Fairy World like Daat did."

 

It was almost as if he was ascertaining that primordial archangel as the mother of the Sefirot.

 

If Daat had returned from the abyss, it would be a tremendous event that could shake this world.

 

Moreover, the fact that she might have disguised herself as a human and sided with humans is hard to comprehend.

 

T. P. Eight Olishua is an enigmatic woman, but if she meets the Holy Dragon or Keter, the truth would naturally come to light. Waiting for that moment seemed the surest way to determine if she is truly Daat.

 

Most likely, that was Hod’s and Tiferet’s intention.

 

If she is indeed Daat, it would be a tremendous event that could shake this world.

 

However, Malkuth was not pleased with their judgment.

 

The King is extremely busy.

 

Every day, without taking a single second's rest, he has been working continuously to protect this world. Since long before Malkuth was born.

 

To support him as his final sword, Malkuth was born from the World Tree. Therefore, becoming the King’s strength was Malkuth's reason for being, and the King was everything in the world.

 

Of course, it’s not that she didn’t care about anyone else apart from the king.

 

She loves her fellow Ten Archngels of Sefirot... her siblings, and also the island’s inhabitants. Though she had never said it aloud... she was aware enough of her surroundings to the point that she came to hate the "humans" that caused trouble for them.

 

T.P. Eight Olishua's question was a strange thing for someone like Malkuth.

 

『Malkuth... have you ever hated this world?』

 

She wondered what the intention was.

 

The fact that she used the telepathy Malkuth and the other holy beasts use was probably because she didn't want the pseudo-angel nearby to hear their conversation.

 

Malkuth snorted and, understanding her intent, gave her answer.

 

『There’s no way that would happen.』

 

There were plenty of infuriating things and hateful companions, but she had never once thought of the entire world as hateful.

 

『I’m glad.』

 

... Unconsciously, Malkuth found that smile beautiful.

 

She didn’t know if Eight was truly Daat, but Malkuth was certain that she was not human.

 

Otherwise, she would have to admit that she was captivated by a mere human. And her pride wouldn’t allow that.

 

However, she was weak to Eight's smile, which was as if Eight had seen through her inner thoughts. Her pace ended up being thrown into disorder.

 

She had a similar presence to the Angel of Understanding Binah. The way she revealed nothing about herself was similar to her, the only one among the Sefirot that Malkuth found difficult to deal with.

 

When Malkuth first saw her, she thought Eight was a mimicry of that archangel. In fact, a scent like Binah’s perfume seemed to linger around her body.

 

But, she did not feel that from T.P. Eight Olishua now. Perhaps because she had absorbed Chesed’s power, the aura she now emitted felt somehow distorted.

 

... Yet, there was a part of her that didn’t feel that was a bad thing.

 

She can feel a nostalgic feeling coming from her.

 

As if she really were her mother.

 

When they had run into each other, instead of fleeing immediately, she remained in place and even now continued to expose her bare body. Perhaps it was because she unconsciously felt a sense of security in her presence.

 

However, T.P. Eight Olishua is definitely different from Binah.

 

It was their eyes when they have conversations.

 

Unlike her, Eight looked at Malkuth in the eyes. With those captivating green eyes.

 

She didn't look away from her eyes, as if she was etching every second into her mind.

 

She didn’t dislike those eyes.

 

『…The king (Keter) told me. There’s no need to show mercy to humans.』

 

“Yeah.”

 

『You said you’re Mea, if I recall correctly, the pseudo-archangel over there is a good example. Humans toy with the lives of their own kind and something like you. They are ignorant, foolish, and easily trample on the things we’ve protected... I will not forgive those kind of people.』

 

“...!”

 

This was Malkuth’s stance as one of the Ten Archangels of Sefirot.

 

Even without considering Chesed, to put it bluntly, she couldn’t accept it. She could not physiologically accept a race that would artificially create angels.

 

"So, are you saying this child should never have been born? That she has no value for existing?"

 

Eight directly asked Malkuth, who had laid bare her disgust.

 

Next to her, Mea had a downcast expression, and Eight gently stroked her head with a sad look.

 

Seeing the state of two of them, Malkuth hesitated to respond.

 

『No, that’s… I didn’t say that! It’s just, I…!』

 

"Mea understands."

 

"Mea?"

 

Malkuth, as the administrator of the island he managed, had been involved with the Holy Beasts for over a hundred years. Compared to humans with shorter life spans, she had much more inter-personal experience, and she knew that the human named Mea was not particularly a bad person.

 

Yet, when Malkuth was about to correct her words, Mea herself denied them.

 

"Mea knows… Mea is not an angel. Maybe, not even a human… She shouldn’t have been born… Mea knows."

 

『…』

 

It was a sensation like a cold chill in the mind.

 

The intense emotions faded away. It was a turn-off.

 

Malkuth sighed, stepping away from the bath. She used sacred arts to remove the droplets clinging to her body and began dressing in the archangel’s robes, starting from her undergarments, which she had produced from who knows where, and spoke,

 

『…If you are troubled by the meaning of your existence, then abandon the human world and come to Melech. In that case, I might consider looking after you as an apprentice angel on my island.』

 

“Eh…?”

 

The sight of her constantly hesitating and wavering was irritating.

 

She didn’t like the look that seemed convinced of her own misfortune.

 

She wasn’t offering a helping hand. It was more like she intended to correct that timid personality.

 

However, seeing Malkuth like that, the black-haired girl grinned.

 

"You really are kind, aren’t you?"

 

『B-be quiet! It’s only because I couldn't help but feel pity for a child who couldn't become anything!』

 

If she had confidently declared herself human, she would have followed the king’s command, considered her an enemy, and struck her down with the holy sword like with Rikidou Chouta. If she had insisted she was a holy beast, she would have let her go as long as she didn’t oppose the Sefirot.

 

But this indecisiveness was infuriating! That’s why he decided to force a place where she belongs for her.

 

How much Mea understood Malkuth's intentions was unclear, but after gaping in surprise, she relaxed her cheeks with a carefree smile.

 

"Just like Chesed said, Malkuth really is a kind angel…"

 

『As I said! It’s not like that!』

 

"Thank you, Malkuth-sama."

 

『…!』

 

But… continuing, Mea faced Malkuth directly.

 

There was still hesitation, but a strength of purpose could be felt. This time, her eyes weren’t bad, Malkuth thought.

 

"Onee-chan said so. The place Mea belongs is in that world… and Mea promised to come home without fail. That’s why…"

 

『Then you should only think about that.』

 

"Ah… yeah… yes, you’re right…"

 

What, if you have a place to go back to, don't say such pointless things, Malkuth shrugged her shoulders.

 

She let out a sigh at her own naivety.

 

『Honestly…』

 

It is the nature of those born as archangels to want to guide them when they see someone lost.

 

She knows that sometimes, like Chokmah or Geburah of the "Severity," it is important to push people away to provide guidance. But she can’t seem to manage it as they do, and she grows irritated at her own naivety.

 

Similarly, the primordial archangel also seemed to possess a considerably naive character—Malkuth found himself intrigued by her stance.

 

『T.P. Eight Olishua.』

 

"What is it?"

 

『I have not given up on Chesed. No matter what he says, I will surely bring him back.』

 

But this is one thing she cannot give up.

 

There's no way she could give it up.

 

Certainly, if she really was the primordial archangel, then his desire to entrust his fragmented power to her was understandable.

 

But that was nothing more than his self-centeredness.

 

Do you have any idea just how many tears I’ve shed for you?!—Malkuth wanted to shout at his brother within Eight. And after Tiferet would hold him in a full nelson, she would slap him as many times as she pleased.

 

But she couldn’t skillfully put it into words.

 

It was probably because it frustrated her.

 

That he had left her side and chosen the humans instead.

 

──Before he went to the human world, he didn’t call out to her.

 

Malkuth was still not mature enough as an angel to fully understand that what she was feeling the extremely human emotion called “Envy.”

 

『The Archangel of the Kingdom, Malkuth will make this known. Foolish humans are not worthy of being guided by you or by the Archangel of Mercy.』

 

So be prepared and wait—leaving behind those words, Malkuth spread her eight wings and vanished into the night sky.

 

 

 

 

 

──And that was how Malkuth, after parting ways with us, appeared before us the next morning as we were preparing to depart from this island to head to Elohim.

 

In her hand was the Holy Sword "Malkuth," and she pointed its tip at the leader of the Savers, Akatsuki En, as she spoke.

 

『In the name of Malkuth, I will not allow you to leave this island!』

 

With a dignified gaze, she looked at us all, raising her sword.

 

The stance made it clear that if we tried to fly off and leave, she would cut us down immediately.

 

Mea-chan and I were bewildered by her sudden appearance, but En and Chouta remained calm, as if they somehow anticipated this outcome.

 

"There’s no way that’s happening. We need to meet up with our last comrade and go get advice from the Holy Dragon." [Chouta]

 

Of course.

 

Eight-chan made a full recovery thanks to yesterday’s recuperation. My body is radiant and shining thanks to the hot spring’s effects. I’m also so full of energy, and yesterday, my condition was so good I had a hard time falling asleep.

 

──So, I ended up wandering around nighttime El in my yukata, expending my excess energy in my own way.

 

I climbed to the top of the lighthouse that had caught my eye since arriving on the island, where I met a birdman young man secretly practicing his flying skills. I ended up helping him, catching him a few times when he failed and fell. Fortunately, I managed not stop him from spilling over and falling. I'm talking about the young man, of course. (tl note: ポロリis an onomatopoeia that can mean to spill over and fall, but it can also refer an accident in which, for some reason, the breasts (especially the nipples ) slip out of the fabric when wearing revealing clothing such as a swimsuit.)

 

It seemed he had a trauma from the past that kept him from flying, but after several rounds of trial and error, his efforts finally paid off. By the time the date changed, he was successfully able to fly. It was a relief. His joyful shout of, “I did it! I did it, angel-sama!” touched my heart. I’m not an angel, though.

 

Boys who do their best are a good thing, no matter the world. Initially, it was just a stroll to help me sleep better, but I feel like I ended up receiving a boost of motivation for the future. Only a phantom thief could do that.

 

──So, this morning, feeling refreshed, I woke up and prepared to fly off to Elohim with everyone. That's when Malkuth appeared, interrupting us with a "Hold it!" while wielding her holy sword.

 

Her demeanor was completely different from how she had been at the hot springs last night.

 

Her eyes, which looked at us fixedly without negligence, had a dignified air. Instead of “cute,” I found her expression “cool.”

 

『It's out of the question. I do not approve.』

 

"…No matter what?"

 

『No matter what. The king's decision is absolute… and I myself don’t trust you.』

 

"I see… Then, what would it take to earn your trust?"

 

『You don't have to do anything. Just wait here.』

 

"What?"

 

She displayed her original earnestness, determined to fulfill her duty.

 

But this time, unlike before, she wasn’t attacking without warning. She firmly met their gaze and made a declaration.

 

Malkuth then gave us her command.

 

『I will go to Elohim to retrieve your companion. Once you meet up, return to the human world without delay.』

 

Her words were meant to settle things peacefully, without causing harm.

 

It was a clear departure from her previous attitude, and Chouta, who looked surprised, let relaxed his cheeks.

 

"…You’re better than I thought."

 

『Haa? What stupid thing is a mere human prattling about?』

 

"If only you weren’t like that…"

 

That was part of her charm, but her habit of always saying just a bit too much was one of her flaws. I also think a tsundere should follow directions for use and capacity.

 

Still, for someone like Chouta, who is particularly good at seeing into the essence of others, to say that, it showed that the archangel called Malkuth, couldn’t fully hide the good in her.

 

Come to think of it, last night she had offered to take care of the troubled Mea-chan on her own island.

 

In the original anime, it was only her appearance that stood out, but I thought that she, too, was essentially Chesed’s younger sister.

 

“En.”

 

“Aah.”

 

En and Chouta exchanged a look and nodded to each other.

 

Then, in the next moment, En was clad in blue flames, while Chouta was clad in an armor of ice.

 

They were even more refined than before. Well done, both of you.

 

Seeing the two of them, Malkuth muttered seriously.

 

『Fairy Burst… Is this the peak that Ein Sof hoped for in humans?』

 

Narrowing her eyes as if to assess them, she tilted the blade of her marine-blue sword.

 

The Holy Sword Malkuth really is cool. A small girl wielding a weapon about as long as her body is romantic, emphasis on romantic. You can even call it art, really.

 

As I was mentally capturing her image with the camera of my heart, Malkuth glanced briefly at me before turning her gaze back to the two.

 

Hm?

 

"We're not leaving until we stop the attack on the human world. If you intend to block our way, we’ll break through you." [En]

 

"We’re not asking you to step aside… You have your own sense of justice, right? But we’ve got ours, and we're going through our way." [Chouta]

 

『Come, then. Let’s see if you are truly worthy of being guided by an Archangel!』

 

I wonder if this is a duel

 

It’s a duel. A DUEL! is what it is.

 

"Now then…"

 

Alright, leave the referee job to me. As I was forcefully pulling out a harp from Item Box to use as a substitute gong, next to me, Mea-chan leaned her body forward.

 

Malkuth shot us a high pressure, seemingly taunting look.

 

"Malkuth-sama!"

 

『You’re welcome to join in as well. Even four people are no match for my holy sword.』

 

"We wouldn’t do something so crude. Besides, wouldn’t that also be meaningless for you?"

 

I’ll make her understand. (tl note: this is a popular phrase that refer to a situation in which “insolent women and children who have no regard for adults are made to know their place.” Most common in r-18 works.)

 

Her underestimating remark stirs a tiny flicker of sadism inside me, the urge to make an arrogant girl submit, but my original protagonist sense of reason holds me back.

 

My ideal original protagonist wouldn’t do such a thing. Besides, judging by her eyes, her true targets are undoubtedly En and Chouta.

 

This is──that, isn’t it. Eight-chan, who has a high insight, immediately grasps Malkuth’s intent.

 

So, I place my right hand on Mea-chan’s shoulder, signaling her to hold back.

 

"Eight?"

 

"Let’s leave this to those two. After all, this is…"

 

──This is the trial bestowed upon them by Archangel Malkuth.

 

I guess that's why we were excluded from her targets. It must be because she understood our nobility after hanging out naked at the hot spring. Man, I’m sorry for being too upright. It’s the establishment of the small breast alliance. Even the three of us together wouldn’t stand a chance against Tiferet's breasts.

 

"Don’t worry, they won’t lose. If they’re the saviors we know, I’m sure of it."

 

"…Yeah."

 

Also, having four people ganging up on a beautiful girl gives an impression that’s too cruel, so it's no good.

 

Even two against one already looks criminal from an outsider's perspective. Adding more would really make you reconsider the protagonist team.

 

So, I decided to focus on cheering on the three of them together with Mea-chan. It's a return of the Cheerleader Eight-chan. And there's even a little girl.

 

Right before our eyes, the archangel’s trial on En and Chouta began.

Next