Hello, everyone! This is a new chapter! Chapter 107! I hope everyone will enjoy it and without further ado, let's start!
- Rimuru POV-
I might have spoken a little out of line back there... But it wasn't like I was wrong either. The way everything had been handled up until now was just in all ways wrong.
" Are you okay, Rimuru-sama?" Aichi ask
" Yeah. Sorry. I think I spoke a little out of line." I said
" No."
He suddenly came up to hug me again.
" Thank you, Rimuru-sama." He said
" For what?"
" To be honest, I never thought I would talk about my past again. But you understood my feelings and also understood what he must have felt before everything happened." Aichi said, looking at the castle
" I was just stating facts. I didn't think those guys would think that everything that's been happening is only his fault." I said, also looking at the castle
" Yeah."
" So, any solutions to breaking that wall?" I ask
" Maybe. We probably have the solutions quite a long time ago." Aichi replied
" Huh? We do?" I ask
He nodded.
[Notice. Analysis of the Majesty Lord Blaster card indicates that it requires the powers of light and dark to manifest. This phenomenon happened before when the magical girls summoned it.]
Oh... Yeah. The girls summoned the Blaster Blade and Blade Dark cards to summon Majesty Lord Blaster. That means...
[Yes. To break the wall created by the card, the swords of Blaster Blade and Blaster Dark are required.]
That's a pretty simple solution.
" Hm? Wait, if the solution was so simple, why did you guys not tell them?" I ask
" Oh, you figured it out?" Aichi ask
" Yeah. Blaster Blade and Blaster Dark, right?" I said
" That's correct. Using both swords from Blaster Blade and Blaster Dark will destroy it." Aichi confirmed
" Then why didn't you guys just say it?" I ask
" Why should we keep feeding them information? The fairy did cause this to happen. I'm pretty sure she'll find out that much without our help." Kai huffed
Tough love, huh... No, rather, they are kind of shaping them up for a more serious fight. That's why they don't plan to help them as much as they say. Truly the job of Overseers. They are just really watching over timelines and correcting them if they ever need to.
" I see. Then that's fine." I said
We just found ourselves watching the castle or playing with Tasuku after that. The evening soon arrived and I finally see the two girls running past us. I think they realize what. they need to do it too and are trying to tell it to the others. We also followed after them and as expected, they now know what to do and we're now back to the place it all began. Kai (IF) is Blaster Blade and Ren is Blaster Dark. All they have to do now is break that wall. Although... why did Shuka suddenly ask Ibuki to protect everyone...? That's usually a sign of a death flag.
[Notice. Individual Shuka must be planning and preparing for a self-sacrificial role.]
Yeah, I think so too. The way she said it already indicates so. She's determined. Can I even help her if she does make that decision? Do Aichi and Kai know about this?
" Rimuru-sama, Kai-kun. No matter what will happen from now on, don't look away yet." Aichi communicated
What...? The swords were swung as they made contact with the wall, breaking it successfully. Shuka immediately ran over to stop her past self.
[Notice. Shield created by Majesty Lord Blaster has successfully regenerated.]
" In an instant?!" I exclaimed before rushing to stop Shuka, " Wait!"
" Huh?"
" Look closely." I said, pressing my hand on the regenerated wall
" The shield... regenerated?!" Emi exclaimed
I turned my head to the new presence that arrived.
" It's your doing, wasn't it?" I ask
Aichi (IF) had appeared and walked towards us.
" Aichi!"
" You people will never achieve your objective, because I possess the Card of Miracle. Majesty Lord Blaster." He said, holding up the card
" Th-The magic warrior!" Shuka exclaimed
" What are you talking about?!" Kai (IF) ask
" Kai-kun... You mustn't take that form." Aichi (IF) said
" ... Answer my question, Aichi!"
" You leave me no choice. This is for your own good, Kai-kun." Aichi (IF) said
He transformed into Majesty Lord Blaster's form immediately.
" I see. You've completely mastered that card's power, didn't you?" I ask with only his smirk as an answer, " That means, as long as he has that card, this wall will keep regenerating."
" Then I'll make it so that you can no longer use Majesty's power, Aichi!" Kai (IF) declared, charging toward him
He's a reckless one, that one. He and Ren launched a strike together but were easily thrown aside. Even when he got back up, he was now stuck to the rocks forcefully. He can even summon units to counter the units that Ibuki and the girls rode with the power of the magical girls. I can't watch this any further. If I keep watching, he'll kill Ren for real. I readied my sword, dashed forward to gain momentum to spring my entire body forward to deflect the sword and save Ren.
" You..."
" You okay there? Hurry up and get back up." I said
Ren nodded and moved away from the blade's range.
" I think that's enough of this." Ren said
He removed his transformation to take out that purple shield. Looks like he can fight seriously with that shield rather than as a unit. I got pushed back by Aichi's (IF) blade, and I moved back to position myself again.
" Really, Rimuru-sama..." Aichi communicated
" You can't be helped..." Kai communicated
They both sound exasperated. Was I not supposed to help, after all? Oh... What the? There's cards flying around Aichi (IF), many units are popping out to attack him.
[Notice. The units' wishes have united as one and desire to save this version of individual Aichi.]
I see... That's how important Aichi's existence is to this world and Cray.
" Begone! I'll make all of you vanish!" Aichi (IF) declared
He shot out beams to get rid of all those units.
" It's stuff like this... Having to do with Vanguard... which has made Kai-kun's life miserable. I'm going to create a world where Vanguard no longer exists!" He declared
Hey, hey... He's doing something to the cards! What is that beam in the sky?!
[Report. He's erasing the existence of Vanguard from this time period with the power of Majesty Lord Blaster.]
He can do that?! The cards are all turning blank! He's even laughing at this!
" What's come over you, Aichi-kun?" Ren ask
" You expect me to suppress a smile? Now, when Vanguard is vanishing from every time period?!" Aichi (IF) laughed
Shuka suddenly flew to him and she was shot down immediately. Everyone rushed to protect her from the second shot.
" Damn... This one's tough." Ren muttered
" ... Gluttony!"
I swallowed the beam and looked at Aichi (IF).
" Hey, you. I'll ask you this. Do you really think this world's Kai is truly happy? Because it doesn't look like that to me!" I said
" Shut up. If you plan to get in my way..." He warned
" I'll do it as many times as I like!" I declared
[Notice. Individual Shuka has burned her binder. It was necessary for her existence. Burning it means she will cease to exist.]
What?! How did I miss that happening?!
" Aichi, Kai! Why didn't you say anything?!" I communicated
" ... Fate cannot be prevented, Rimuru-sama." Aichi communicated
So... He already knew what was going to happen. I looked up at the burning binder. Aichi (IF) was screaming in pain as his transformation deactivated and the Majesty Lord Blaster card flew away.
" ... Keeping that form must have put a great burden on his body." I said
Can we do anything to save that binder? Sure it was her fault, but having her die on us like that is a little wrong.
[Report. It is impossible to stop. The binder will be burned and it will release the cards individual Shuka has kept inside, sending them to another time period.]
I see...
[However, I have a suggestion.]
Really now? Let's hear it. While watching Aichi (IF) getting clobbered by the staff to make his attire disappear, Shuka was beginning to disappear. At that, Great Sage has given me a suggestion.
" Let's do that then." I said to myself
" Watch this." I communicated, giving a wink to Aichi and Kai after removing my mask
His sister was crying but I just placed my hand on her shoulder.
" Just wait a little. I won't let you guys say your goodbyes just yet." I said
" Huh?"
I looked up at Shuka and held out my hand.
" Shuka! All you have to do right now is believe in me!" I assured her before letting the familiar black mass gather in my hand, " Gluttony!"
That's right. Great Sage's suggestion was to devour her with Gluttony and after that, let her spiritual body rest in my 'Stomach' while I prepare the next step.
" Huh? Shuka-chan? What did you...?" Emi exclaimed
" Hey..." Ibuki exclaimed
" Rimuru-sama! Why did you?!" Aichi gasped
" Like I said, just wait. Before that, let's take that before it disappears too." I said, using Gluttony to devour the staff that was breaking apart after the clobbering, " We're just about ready."
" Ready for what?" Kai (IF) ask, approaching us after being freed
" I'll explain later." I said, pointing my thumb behind me, " You wanna have a few words with him?"
He nodded and ran towards Aichi (IF).
" Hey, hey. That Gluttony thing... Didn't it swallow attacks? Don't tell me..." Ren said
" You ate Shuka?!" Ibuki exclaimed
" Huh?!"
" Just relax! Figuratively, yes. I kind of ate her, but it was her spiritual body. But don't worry, she's in a certain space right now, resting." I assured
" Why would you do something that crazy?" Kai ask
" I'm gonna beat whatever fate you saw, Aichi. You said it yourself, right? The future you see usually is incorrect at some point? I'm gonna make it incorrect now." I said
" How...? Was swallowing Shuka part of that plan?" Aichi ask
" Exactly. In that space, she can absorb a little bit of my energy. It'll be enough for her spirit to continue surviving as a whole, kind of like a glue to keep her together. All that's left is her body, for her spirit to inhabit." I explained
The staff was needed because of how it was made using Shuka's powers. I can create a body for her using the material from the staff. Let's get started...
" Huh? My cards are still turning blank. Shouldn't he have lost the power to erase Vanguard already?!" Ibuki exclaimed
" What?"
" Aichi!"
We all turned to see Aichi (IF) standing back up with that ominous aura swirling around his body, but I'm also seeing light energy around him too. Just what is that?
" It's PSYqualia." Aichi said
" Huh? The power you two have?" I ask
" Yes."
" I have it too, but I'm pretty sure we can't do this." Ren sulked, showing his blank card
" Takuto said that although this world's Aichi never encountered Vanguard, he still has a strong PSYqualia ability laying dormant inside him and it's now manifesting in a different form." Kourin explained
" So it wasn't enough to just clobber him..." I muttered under my breath
" What's so funny, Sendou?" Ibuki ask after Aichi (IF) started laughing
" Blaster Blade and Blaster Dark. It seems they weren't just your average cards." Aichi (IF) replied
" You've never had any experience with Vanguard. Yet you know that?" Ren ask, to which Aichi (IF) nods as a reply
" Those units were the light and darkness within your heart." Aichi said
" Ah, I see. They kept interfering with my plans, over and over... So they were me all along? But now they can't get in my way again." Aichi (IF) said
" ... You! So you set this up?! You planned for Shuka to burn her binder?!" I exclaimed
" A great idea, wasn't it?"
" Even Majesty Lord Blaster disappeared!" Kai (IF) exclaimed
" That's fine. It's better this way, Kai-kun." Aichi (IF) said
" Aichi!"
" Emi, go home already." Aichi (IF) said
" Shuka-chan was my friend." Emi said
Aichi (IF) ignored her and turned his back to us.
" I won't allow it to end this way, Aichi!" Kai (IF) exclaimed
" I'm sorry, but it has to." Aichi (IF) said
He immediately disappeared after saying that.
" There's no point staying here. Aichi, Kai. Bring us back to their present time." I ordered
" Yes, sir."
They used their swords to teleport us back to the present time of this world. Looks like we're on a school rooftop.
" You guys can go do whatever you want. I still have to do my part of the work." I said
" Is Shuka really..." Ibuki exclaimed
" I'll do whatever I can." I assured him
" ... I'll go to Sanctuary. I need to talk to him and persuade him one last time." Kai (IF) said
" We'll go with you too." Kourin said
" Yeah. You can stay here, Emi-chan. It's still dangerous." Rekka said
" We're counting on you to properly protect them this time, Ren." Kai said
" If you're saying that, then that means you have a plan in mind already, right?" Ren ask
They do?
" Whatever." Kai shrugged
" Oh, that reminds me. Suiko-san and Ibuki-san... Return to the mansion. You'll find something very important there." Aichi said
" What do you mean?" Suiko ask
" If I say it, it wouldn't be much of a surprise. Hurry up." Aichi said
" O... Okay."
They ran off like that, leaving us with Emi.
" Everything's going according to fate. All that's left is to find the seeds we planted in this world." Aichi said
" Seeds? What?" I wondered
" Emi. Find those seeds. They should be gathering somewhere precious to us." Aichi said
" What am I supposed to find?" Emi ask
" Blaster Blade and Blaster Dark." Aichi replied, winking
" Huh?!"
" Didn't they get erased?!" I exclaimed
" You really think we were just letting Aichi date that guy for fun? We've been planting our own seed here." Kai said
" Only this time period's Blaster Blade and Blaster Dark were erased. But the ones you'll be finding are the ones from our time period. They are hidden, but you can figure out where they are. I believe in you, and I'm sure Shuka-chan does too. Don't disappoint her." Aichi said
" Thank you... I'll be going now!" Emi said
The two nodded as she ran off to wherever she thinks the cards are in.
" I'm shocked... You saw that far into the future?" I ask
" Yes."
" Your Shaman powers are definitely something else. Now then..." I said
I got out the parts for a doll after it had been made with the materials from the rod. Then, I pulled out the red core of the rod and had Shuka's spirit inhabit it. I bound the core and body together using my magicules and finally, Shuka is taking form in her new body.
" Amazing..." Aichi gasped
It's all thanks to Great Sage's suggestion. I just hope that Shuka is still the same after this.
- Normal POV-
Kai (IF) ran into the castle with the others to see Aichi (IF) agonizing over one of his favorite units, Wingal, seemingly feeling regret over having to erase it.
" Aichi!"
" He's being tormented by the memories of his true self." Ren said
" I'm sure that deep down, he also wants to return to his true self." Kourin said
" You don't have to do this, Aichi. Just end this and we can be who we are supposed to be." Kai (IF) said
" What good would that do? You need to remain in this world, Kai-kun. Because you need to be happy." Aichi (IF) said
" I don't need this false world!" Kai (IF) exclaimed
" ... But you'll have to accept that this is the world you'll be living in from now on." Aichi (IF) said as he brought out the Akashic Book
" That's..." Kourin exclaimed
" Yes. It's the Akashic Book you used to have. This book and this castle will sink together!" Aichi (IF) declared, dropping the book as the castle started quaking, " Now that Majesty Lord Blaster has disappeared, I'm going to sink myself and this book deep into the ground. But first..."
He put out his hand as he sent out a blast to push Kai (IF) out of the castle.
" He belongs to this world. He has to become happy." Aichi (IF) said
" Sorry, but the Kai I know wouldn't be giving up this easily. I'll stop you personally." Ren said as he brought out his shield
" And what can you do?" Aichi (IF) ask
" I don't have space-time powers like you or the Aichi-kun and Kai I know, but I can at least do this." Ren said as his shield activated
From the shield, spectral wolves appeared to attack as Aichi (IF) fired beams to stop them.
" Hurry up, you two..." Ren muttered
Outside, Kai (IF) grunted as he got up after being skidding on the ground after being shot out of the castle.
" The whole structure is sinking..." He exclaimed
" Kai-san!"
He turned to see Emi running towards him as she handed him a card.
" Kai-san, here!"
" Blaster Blade..."
" Please, help me once more!" Emi panted after running for so long
Kai (IF) looked at the Blaster Blade card in his hand before his expression furrowed into a frown.
" It won't work. This one's different from the card I had." Kai (IF) said
" It can't be!"
" What are we going to..." Kai (IF) exclaimed
" Emi-chan!"
Upon hearing the familiar voice, they both looked up to the sky to see Shuka with her wings spread wide and waving at them.
" Shuka-chan!"
" I can't believe it!" Kai (IF) exclaimed
" I'll fly you guys there! Hold on!" Shuka exclaimed as she grabbed their hands to fly towards the castle
" But how?" Emi exclaimed
" Details later! Kai-san, you have to imagine it!" Shuka said
" Imagine what?"
" This is your and Emi-chan's world! Whatever you two wish for will definitely happen!" Shuka said, flying them into the castle
Inside the castle, the quaking suddenly ceased as they gasped.
" Why? Why has it stopped?!" Aichi (IF) exclaimed
" You still don't understand?" A voice ask
They turned to a podium to see Takuto.
" Takuto!"
" Yay, Takuto!" Rekka greeted
" You really should have told me you left it unlocked." Takuto sighed before turning to Aichi (IF), " You made another great mistake. Some pages were torn from that Akashic Book. And even if a fragmented history book can be overwritten, you can't stop history. I am an overseer of time, however, you overlooked their powers too."
Screens appeared to show Aichi and Kai standing outside the castle with the Dimension and Night Time Sword unsheathed. Auras surrounded them as the auras covered the castle.
" Then I'll eliminate you and then them!" Aichi (IF) exclaimed
" Aichi!"
The skylight burst open as Emi, Shuka and Kai (IF) flew in.
" I believe that whatever the card, once a fighter picks it up, it becomes special to them! So, this must be a special card too!" Emi explained
" I see! This is my Blaster Blade!" Kai (IF) exclaimed
The card he held changed form as he landed on the floor.
" Let's do this, Emi-chan!" Shuka said
" Yeah!"
Both transformed and helped Kai and Ren to ride Blaster Blade and Blaster Dark as they readied their swords.
" You dare appear before me again, Blaster Blade and Blaster Dark?! When I obtained my powers, I realized that there was something even I could do. I could make everyone happy!" Aichi (IF) exclaimed
" You're right about that!" Ren said
" Exactly! You have Vanguard!" Kai (IF) exclaimed
" But because of Vanguard, people fight and become miserable!" Aichi (IF) exclaimed as he used the Akashic Book to deflect their attack
They were thrown back to the wall as the door between them opened and Ibuki appeared with the Majesty Lord Blaster card in his hand.
" However, when you win, it's the best feeling of all! Happiness, unhappiness, they're both part of Vanguard! I'm counting on you, magical girls!" Ibuki declared, throwing the card to Emi
Emi Realized the card as Ibuki rode it and took on Majesty Lord Blaster's form.
" Magic warrior!" Shuka exclaimed
" Now you make your entrance?" Kai (IF) huffed
" That's right. It's not too late, Bukki." Ren said
" It can't end like this! For me, nothing is ever too late! Here we come, Sendou! When Blaster Blade and Blaster Dark enter the Soul, Majesty Lord Blaster gets a new power!" Ibuki declared
Kai (IF) and Ren suddenly found themselves floating.
" Huh?"
" Hey, hey!"
They instantly became swords for Ibuki as he attacked Aichi (IF). Aichi (IF) started using the book to fire more black beams at Ibuki as he dodged them.
" You're strong, Aichi Sendou. But the stronger your opponent, the more you wish to become stronger! So imagine yourself becoming stronger, and that image will change you!" Ibuki declared
" Even if you're unhappy..." Kai (IF) said
" Even if your world is boring..." Ren added
" You mean I'd change... Even if... I'm weak?" Aichi (IF) murmured
" Now is the time for despair to become hope!" Ibuki declared
" Imagine it! That's Vanguard!" Kai (IF) said
Ibuki brought the sword down on Aichi (IF) as a bright light engulfed them. Outside, the castle resurfaced and disappeared. Ibuki and the others appeared on the ground as they slowly opened their eyes to look around.
" The castle..." Ibuki exclaimed
" It's gone!" Kai (IF) exclaimed
" We won." Ren said
Kai (IF) looked down and saw Aichi (IF) in the distance. He quickly got up and ran towards him, his unconscious body glowing with an aura.
" Aichi!"
" Don't worry." Aichi assured, coming out of the forest with Kai
" He's just going to return to his rightful form soon." Kai explained
" I'll just send him to Takuto-kun first." Aichi said
With a wave of his sword, Aichi (IF) disappeared.
" You still have one more job left to do and this world will finally be back to normal. Go and find the others." Kai said
" What about you guys?" Ren ask
" Oh, we'll be seeing each other in our original world later." Kai replied
" Okay!"
" About Shuka..." Ibuki exclaimed
" It was a miracle. She should be able to remain in this world without any problems." Aichi assured
" I see..."
" Hurry up and go." Kai said
" Okay."
The three ran off to find the others as Rimuru emerged from the forest with Tasuku in his arms.
" It's finally over." Rimuru sighed
" Feels like it's been a long dream... or maybe a nightmare. I never want to go through that again." Aichi said
" Neither do I. Seeing everything here already gave me a splitting headache." Kai said
" Then let's return home." Rimuru suggested as Tasuku cooed out happily
" Okay!"
With that, they went into the portal to return to Tempest.
And that's the end of the chapter! Thank you for reading! I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter and I'll see everyone in the next chapter!