Chapter 57: Bombs from the sky
1202 Words
“What are you doing here?”
“Wonderful, seeing Hanayuki here makes me realize that we’re connected by the red string of fate together. This is the best men's tribe and I’m planning on slaving them.”
“Slaving?”
Just like what they did to those people before. Those people became bombs and exploded.
Angered at her claim, I gritted my teeth. Form fist on my hand. I want to destroy her because she is evil. But that will break my promise of giving people a second chance in life.
Audrey said those words with a big smile. Rubs wrong on me.
“... Yup, yup, they are wonderful creatures. They are physically strong and have high combat abilities. They’ll make great pawns in battle. Using my ability to make them, it was my puppet. I could have an army of them on my finger. And then…”
“Then what…”
“Hmm, What’s with the terrible face Hanayuki? This is for the greater good of mankind.”
“What’s so good about stealing other people’s lives?”
“I was disappointed in you, Hanayuki… I thought we'd reach an understanding with each other. Hanayuki, I know that you’re the devil incarnate. A long, long time ago, a girl named Hanayuki destroyed an entire continent. That’s because you’re sick of everyone. We’re just the same. I’ll make sure to create a better world after sacrificing lots of people. To achieve one’s desire, one must make a sacrifice.”
Saying those things like she's speaking makes some sense.
“I don’t understand…”
I replied and my face was covered with my bangs. But if anyone could see me they could tell that it wasn’t a pleasant one.
Audrey took a step closer to me and offered her hand.
“I’m sure you’ll understand soon… Became my friend and let's change the world.”
She said offering and handshake.
Still unable to comprehend a single word, she sprouted. I slapped her hand away from me. Giving is a direct glare.
“I can’t be friends with a psycho.”
“You’re the one to talk… A psycho can sense her own skin. Hanayuki, you might be suffering from amnesia, but when you remember everything you might curse yourself and kill yourself as a result… Don’t be a hypocrite, we both know that your hand is tainted with blood. Nothing could wash away the blood in your hands… We’re no heroes… We’re both villains.”
She said with her crazy eyes, looking straight at mine.
Her words stuck in my ears and I felt a chill running through my spine.
Audrey turned her back and started walking away. I could not sense any hostility and let her go.
Just who am I exactly? Me being evil incarnate… Is that the truth? Or maybe, I’m just refusing to believe the truth and play the role of a good person.
I have already killed countless people. Evil people which I burn to coal with my lighting magic. There is no way to forget all of them. Everyone who appeared in Belle’s mansion. Everyone who tried to drag me to the door of hell.
People I’m unable to save.
I’m a fake… Just someone playing a role…
Is that who I am?
“I’m an actress…”
I muttered unconsciously.
A glitching sensation in my body occurs. My hand wasn’t my hand. My face wasn’t my face. My hair is black, including my pupils. The sensation only lasts for a split second or maybe faster.
Whose body is this? Is this who I am?
“Hanayuki.”
Shaymi put her hand on my sleeve, pulling.
Snapping me out of my reality.
“Why are you dating? That woman is the same woman we saw when we entered the demon continent, right? Did she do something wrong?”
“She hasn’t… But certainly, she will…”
While Audre was walking away she rose with her right hand pointing up to the sky.
I looked up at the sky and saw figures falling.
The pupils in my eyes get smaller the moment I realize what the figure is that’s about to fall. Humans are like puppet figures, as the puppets can detonate themselves. Audrey could transform living creatures into puppets. I had no idea about how her ability works, but this is bad for everyone in the village.
“Audrey!”
I shouted.
“Hmm, Are you going to fight me or save those people? Like a hypocrite, of course, you’ll save them… Right? Hanayuki.”
She replied with a cruel grin on her face.
“What exactly is happening?”
Shaymi was lost in confusion about what she was seeing. I know she could tell that something bad was going to happen. She got a firm grip on her staff and pointed it to Audrey.
“We’re wasting our time confronting this woman… We have to do our best and destroy the falling puppets first.”
I said to Shaymi, turning my body back to the village. I was still unable to realize the dangerous situation they were currently in.
Shaymi nodded her head and flicked a magic ball at Audrey. Audrey noticed and sliced it with her sword before it got close to her.
“A tracking magic… Your little companion is sharper than she looks. But I won’t do any battling… Please do your best, Hanayuki.”
Audrey said and continued her walk out of the scene.
Everything is up to me. I have to save everyone’s smile before it's too late.
The beast men started to see the puppets and looked up at the sky. The beast's guards go into full gear thinking that it is another monster attacking from the outside.
It is not far from true. I’m glad they have their weapons in hand.
But there are too many of them.
The casualty radius of a puppet explosion is between 5 and 20 meters, with a minimum of 50% of exposed personnel becoming casualties within a radius of around 15 meters from the blast. A single puppet explosion can kill an individual up to 10 meters away and can cause serious injuries up to 20 meters away.
They are all skilled fighters… Melee won’t have any effect on them. Going near puppets is the last thing I wanted them to do.
“Everyone has a strong barrier to protect everyone! Those puppets are bombs!”
I warned them as I ran.
The mage beast-man heard my voice and immediately believed me. The barriers were chanted covering every single one of the men in the village, including Shaymi.
“Over limit Lightning speed!”
I shouted.
Clapping both my hands together. I ignited lightning all over my body, kicking the ground, and launching up into the sky as fast as I could. My surroundings are getting slower and slower while I get faster and faster. Butterflies, birds, and leaves are all stuck in mid-air as if time has already stopped.
“Lightning magic: Magnificent Lightning storm!”
Accompanied by my chant was the forming of dark clouds and lightning dropping down, piercing each puppet into coal, then exploding while in mid-air.
- Writer
