kscans

Chapter 26 - Interlude: The Day the World Ends

A lone girl stood on the fortress rooftop.

A black robe, a wide-brimmed black hat with a pointed top, and an ominously shaped black staff. Her attire, almost entirely black, was reminiscent of a witch. Coupled with the girl's black hair, her appearance was enough to evoke a sense of foreboding.

That girl was staring at the sun setting on the horizon.

The sun was already about a third of the way hidden, creating a certain feeling of melancholy. The girl was merely watching it. Her expression made it impossible to tell what she was thinking, but one could tell that her feelings were, at the very least, not pleasant.

Someone approached the girl from behind.

Clad head to toe in black, their face was also hidden except for their eyes. The closest description for that figure would be a ninja.

"So this is where you were."

Contrary to his appearance, the voice was that of a gentle-sounding man. It was not a young voice, but a somewhat aged, slightly hoarse one.

The girl turned her head to the left and confirmed the ninja-like man. But she immediately returned her gaze to the setting sun.

"Do you need something?"

"Not exactly, but everyone was enjoying the final moments, and you were the only one not there."

"I see. But there is no need to worry. I am a little uncomfortable in places like that. Besides, people from another clan are there today, are they not? I am not very good at talking to people I do not know well."

"I see. Indeed, the Brandle Siblings from Dragon Soul and Mist from Undead were present."

"I have never fought against those clans, but I hear they were strong. Well, I do not believe they could have defeated our clan, though."

"Complacency is not a good thing."

"It is not complacency, I merely stated a fact. Though there is no time left to prove it… I intend to greet that time here, but what about you?"

"If you would not mind, I too would like to watch the sun set here—Please do not make such a disgusted face."

"Because I am actually disgusted. But, well, I suppose for the end, it is fine to be together."

"Thank you."

The ninja man stood next to the girl. And he gazed at the setting sun.

"It is beautiful, is it not?"

"You are making me blush."

"I am not talking about you. I am talking about the sunset."

"So you can find beauty in something other than ornaments worth stealing. I am a little surprised."

"Well, I am about average in that regard. However, since I cannot steal the sunset, it is not enough to steal my heart. As for you, were you not watching the sunset because you thought it was beautiful?"

"No, that is not it. I was simply watching. And no matter how beautiful it is, it is a fake. I think there is little meaning in finding it beautiful."

"I do not believe that is so. Even if it is a fake, the heart that thought it beautiful is real."

"An interesting perspective. However, I feel I can understand it somehow. My equipment is also a fake with no real counterpart, but I have memories and affection for it. I suppose those feelings could be called real."

The girl held her staff as if it were precious. And she smiled just a little.

The conversation broke off, and silence followed. The ninja man averted his eyes from the sunset and looked at the girl.

"It seems that everyone has accepted that proposal. Myself included, of course."

"That is sudden. But that is to be expected. In the first place, only such members were gathered, and we are like the cream of the crop among them. Of course, I accepted it too."

"Were you all right with that?"

"It does not matter. It is not as if anything will particularly change."

"However, I should think that losing one's memories would be frightening."

"That does not particularly scare me. What is frightening is—when the memories return, perhaps. I might one day remember this empty, nihilistic life. That is what is frightening."

"That will not—no, it is better not to pry into that. I am in no position to talk about others… Well then, what kind of life do you wish for next? I can at least ask that much, can I not?"

"Well, since it is the end, I shall answer. It is not such a grand wish, but—"

The girl paused her words for a moment. And with a beaming smile, she looked at the man.

"A life where I can eat as much of my favorite foods as I want without working would be nice."

At that answer, the ninja man's eyes widened, but he soon burst out laughing.

"That is so like you. However, work is a noble thing. It is better to work hard while you are young—Please do not make such a disgusted face."

"Because I am actually disgusted. And work is noble? From this moment on, you are my enemy. Anyone who forces work upon me can be called my natural enemy."

"Have I earned your enmity? However, if we ever fight together again, I shall be counting on you then."

"Well, if that time comes—It is almost time."

"Yes. Well then, I am glad I could be with you at the end. Let us meet again somewhere."

"Yes, somewhere again. Though I would rather not meet someone who says things like work is noble."

With the girl's final words, the sun sank below the horizon. And the surroundings were enveloped in darkness. A complete darkness with no light at all dominated everything.

It meant that the world had ended.