Chapter 103

Chapter 103

Aftermath (2)

Maestro and Shadow.

They were born alongside the great catastrophe that struck the world.

Along with those who have now reached old age in the current era, they spent their childhood in the tumultuous times of war.

“Half a century ago, the world was truly in shambles. The continent converged, causing all sorts of disasters, civilization crumbled, and lost people wandered the lawless zones…”

Having seen evil up close, they adapted to it.

Their attempts to eradicate it were bound to be extreme.

“…Who would have thought such a splendid civilization would be built on such a harsh and barren land?”

Shadow’s eyes, looking out from the Association building, began to gradually fill with light.

The desolate landscape that once felt so vivid, as if experienced just yesterday, was now replaced by a world illuminated by light.

It would be strange not to feel amazed by this transformation.

“But the world is still sick.”

Indeed, humanity has succeeded in creating a constellation on this land, concealing the ugliness of the world.

“But unlike those times when we understood clear malice, everyone here is exposed to evil without even realizing it. They live on without knowing why they are suffering.”

In the end, this era.

Furthermore, this world is merely built upon what is termed ‘evil.’

In such a time, anyone can pursue justice, but conversely, anyone can fall into evil.

To the two villains, the current era was such a place.

“In that sense, we might be a bit better off than them. We can pursue what we want without worrying about others.”

“….”

“…Well, the responsibility that comes with that is also ours to bear.”

Freedom means shouldering many responsibilities.

Only the absolute being at the pinnacle of this world can be free from such responsibility.

Just like the one they once served in the past.

But also like the unfortunate god who never rose to the top again.

[Did you achieve what you wanted?]

After a long silence, a single card was suddenly presented.

Shadow, seeing the words on the card, smiled bitterly and placed the empty beer can on the railing.

“I believe I achieved more than expected, but it seems he is not satisfied.”

The suppressed power was awakened.

Though the power wasn’t the strongest, it contained an unwavering determination that wasn’t crushed even in his most trying times.

“But he won’t give up. He always chased the brightest thing from the darkest place.”

Will Of Fortune.

That power would undoubtedly help him carve out the future he desired.

[…It seems you’ve made up your mind.]

“Yes! I will stay by his side from now on!”

Leaning her upper body against the railing, Shadow flashed a bright smile.

It was hard to believe she was a follower of a great evil, but from the start, her world was rooted in evil.

Though unintentional, she was the one who buried her family, neighbors, and ultimately her entire hometown.

The monster driven out of the light always lived as someone else’s shadow, longing to stand by pure evil at any time.

Ginger Bread.

Now, beside him was where she belonged.

“What about you, Maestro? Will you continue to infiltrate the Association?”

So what about the one before her?

Having lost his idol in the Great War three years ago, what did he plan to live for now?

[We might end up fighting someday.]

Maestro quietly extended his hand, showing Shadow the card he held.

A card with words she never expected.

-Fight? Us?

[I’m on the side of justice now.]

The side of justice.

Words one couldn’t imagine coming from a villain who had risen higher in the organization than herself.

“…So it wasn’t just infiltration.”

[Even justice…]

A card was presented in response to Shadow’s cautious question.

It took a moment for the part his finger covered to be revealed.

[Even justice has many forms.]

Indeed, the world isn’t led by justice or evil.

Fights between justice and justice, or evil and evil.

In the end, each holds different intentions, and what gains the support of many becomes the norm.

Even the norm becomes corrupted over time, and the battle to control the world shifts between those who want to preserve existing justice and those who seek to change the world.

Ouroboros and McCoy were, in the end, just defeated forms of justice in such trends.

Ultimately, the right to discuss justice is given only to those who win the fierce battles.

[And despite many justices being defeated, evil continually emerges. Among them, some gain significant support and ultimately grow into something called justice.]

“…Ceras. Is she the new justice you found?”

Maestro.

Born in the era of war, harboring evil, and destined to rise to the pinnacle of evil, he was the first henchman collected.

Did he choose to follow a follower of justice out of change of heart or because he hated the justice worshipped by this era?

[I want to see the future of the organization that defeated us. Meeting him can wait until after finishing all this.]

With those words, Maestro quietly placed the bottle he was holding on the railing.

As he turned silently, having said all he had to say, Shadow etched his figure into her mind and concentrated her strength.

“…If that’s your will, I must respect it.”

Though their paths differ, there is no sense of betrayal.

From the start, they were villains.

They stepped onto the path of evil to satisfy their selfish desires.

“Still, can I visit now and then?”

Maestro lifted his hand slightly in farewell.

Seeing the vacant spot he left, Shadow drew a faint smile and began to conceal the light her body absorbed.

And then…

***

“…First snow, huh.”

Around four months had passed since that day of disaster.

Seeing the slowly falling snow from the sky, I felt the cold seeping into my skin.

The snow starting to accumulate on the streets made the workers at a nearby construction site put down their work one by one.

“Hey, let’s take a break from construction now that it’s snowing. If there’s an accident, it’ll be a big deal.”

Sure, the cold alone is one thing, but snow increases the risk of accidents.

Though some sites continue construction regardless of the weather, rebuilding B District was done with caution.

Having an accident in a place known for a major incident worthy of textbooks? Treating it as cursed land would be an understatement.

“…The construction was really fast.”

Just four months. In that time, most of the damage in B District had been addressed.

Even if the buildings weren’t completely destroyed, many had to be almost entirely rebuilt.

Indeed, this land has dedicated itself to construction for over half a century.

Well, I won’t need to roam construction sites anymore since my earnings haven’t been bad lately.

“Yeah, there’s a lot to do. No point in dawdling.”

Smiling faintly at the construction workers, I headed towards a facility at the end of the street.

A memorial hall built to commemorate the tragedy of that day. Some people exited, sobbing or wailing.

Even after four months, there are still people visiting. Some were taking pictures or laughing, treating it as a tourist spot, but that’s human nature.

The world is seen from a first-person perspective.

No matter what happens on the other side of the continent, it’s less significant than a thorn under one’s nail.

And that was why I stepped into this place.

Not for something as light as tourism, but to pay respects to a man recorded here.

“Excuse me. We need to conduct a search.”

Just as I stood before the grandly decorated altar, a security guard stopped me.

He was probably there to prevent bomb attacks under the guise of visitations.

“What’s with the white mask?”

But not recognizing the mask in my hand, the person would be quite disappointed if they knew.

Unbreakable Vanguard.

The world knows him as the hero who defeated Seolhwa, but they don’t even recognize something similar to his costume.

“Oh, I just bought it nearby.”

“Hmm, I see.”

After briefly inspecting the mask, he returned it to me, seemingly satisfied.

Bringing hero merchandise to a hero’s memorial service is common.

Most items symbolize heroes, but no one brought anything resembling his white mask or biker suit.

Despite his name being prominently engraved in the center of the monument… it shows how well he avoided public attention.

“Rest in peace, justice fool.”

Bitterly expressing my condolences, I quietly turned away from the memorial towards the street.

Alright, now that I’ve done what I came for, it’s time to head home…

“Ah, Mister!”

…Or so I thought.

Here I ran into an unwelcome face.

“…Why are you here?”

“Why else? There’s an event.”

A young woman in her early twenties, wearing a scarf and sunglasses.

An S-Class hero whose status rose even more after defeating Gigantes in the battle four months ago.

Though now, she’s not on a stage or in the field, so I should call her ‘Suzuki Kana.’

“B District has calmed down, and the refugees are returning. Our agency received a lot of support to hold a celebration performance for them.”

“Heh, after such a disaster, you’re smiling at the thought of a festival.”

“We can’t stay gloomy forever.”

True, if the world remains too negative, there will be no progress.

Ignorant people, unaware, just need to enjoy the festival and have a lively day.

“Of course, there’s some time until the performance, so I can spend a little while here.”

And I also fall under the category of people who know nothing on the surface.

“Oh! Since we met like this, how about having lunch with me? Or you can have me for lunch…”

“Just go about your business.”

“Eh!? It’s been a while since we met, and you’re just going to leave like that? I see a motel over there; let’s spend some cozy time together!”

“Weren’t you here for work?”

Damn, an idol trying to drag an old acquaintance to bed immediately after meeting.

Pangea’s hope is dead.

“Work is important, but I’m human too. I need some rest.”

“Why use me for that…”

About to argue further.

“…Is it not okay?”

Unlike her previous aggressive advances, Kana looked up at me timidly.

Her actions broke the firm stance I had maintained.

Whether it’s possible or not isn’t the point; I should keep my distance from her.

“…Are you okay?”

But for now.

It’s not the critical moment yet.

If she desires it, maybe I can spend just a little time with her?

End of Chapter