Chapter 128 : Fragments of Greed (2)

The wounds of stars.

A blasphemous wound created by the first humans to distort the perfect flow of stars and create the concept of ‘death’. And the pus of stars coming from there appears in the form of demons to remove the sinful descendants who wounded the star from the surface.

The purpose of demons is to destroy humanity.

“That’s all I know. The goddess of [Beginning] didn’t have enough capacity to leave me much information while arranging the Successor and messenger.”

“…”

“And if things had gone according to the original plan, there would have been no need to know more than this. However…”

“However?”

“The goddess of [Beginning] was the only goddess among all goddesses who witnessed the complete will of the unwounded star. Perhaps the reason she volunteered for the ritual of trials lies there.”

The purpose held by the will of stars.

I didn’t think it was entirely the destruction of humanity.

The reason why the goddess of [Beginning] specifically said that humanity must ‘evolve’ to survive.

The reason she said only an extremely small number of people who ‘evolved’ to avoid the curse of the three goddesses could survive.

Originally, the plan to have only a minimum number of humans escape to Elysion also included ‘evolved’ humans led by the Successor.

‘To evolve means to change.’

Deviating from the flow that came down from the first humans by receiving starlight from fragments of the goddess of [Beginning].

The reason for becoming independent from that flow originating from the will of stars and continuing from ancient times until now.

In the previous world that quickly perished due to the curse of the three goddesses, it was unknown. But from the current perspective where the form of trials has been reversed and magical girls have been incorporated into trials, there is a sense of dissonance.

‘If the star really hated humanity and wanted to destroy it, it would have rejected the incorporation of magical girls.’

It seemed that the will of stars was not blindly hostile to humanity, but was trying to destroy ‘current’ humanity as a result due to some necessity.

‘If it’s evolved humans… it would be magical girls. The people to be evacuated to Elysion would also be people connected to magical girls.’

People following magical girls in Elysion can be self-sufficient by exchanging dreams. They don’t have to live consuming things born and grown from stars.

Separation of stars and humans.

The goddess of [Beginning] had to separate stars and humans.

Suddenly, the magical girls of [Plague] came to mind.

Greed.

Plunder.

Division.

Magical girls with a constitution that had no choice but to plunder others’ starlight to maintain themselves.

Without any hostility towards others, but naturally causing harm for their own survival.

‘…It’s similar.’

The relationship between stars and humans.

The relationship between humans and stars.

Not because they were hostile to each other, but just hurting each other out of necessity.

If the purpose held by the will of stars is not simply massacre out of resentment. If the will of stars is trying to destroy humans to seal its own flaws like the magical girls of [Plague].

“The will of stars… is not simply killing people. Perhaps it’s trying to gather the faint fragments scattered from the first humans and return to a complete flow?”

“I can’t deny that. Even the three goddesses abandoned by humans originated from stars. They instinctively wanted to return to the flow of stars, into chaos.”

“The will of stars endlessly pursues and absorbs humanity that consumes things born and grown from stars. That’s why it couldn’t pursue humanity following magical girls who can be self-sufficient with their own starlight.”

“That’s a fresh idea… similar to the original plan of the goddess of [Beginning].”

The first humans who fell from the stars in the very distant past.

If it’s bringing down trial demons to reabsorb the starlight latent in their descendants.

The trials were not something brought down out of hatred for humans from the beginning, but simply actions to seal wounds.

The destruction of humanity is not the purpose but the result. That’s why it shows a mechanical appearance like now, not a massacre with hostility.

It’s just that in the previous world, it was accelerated by the curse of the three goddesses who were hostile to humanity.

The relationship between stars and humans.

Hecate and I completed a new hypothesis while exchanging words.

“What do you think of my idea?”

“Hmm. I can neither deny nor affirm it. The number of grounds is meager, but they’re grounds that can’t be ignored…”

“In times like this, you’re supposed to just agree.”

“Hmm. The Successor’s thoughts seem correct. The Successor is very smart.”

Clap clap clap

It was very impressive to see Hecate, who would have never agreed until she was convinced even if she obeyed, appropriately agreeing to match the atmosphere.

The appearance of becoming human very quickly after starting to interact with other magical girls.

“Well done.”

“Thank you.”

“…”

“…”

Although I jokingly ended the conversation with Hecate.

‘There really is a lack of evidence.’

As we shared new thoughts about the wounds of stars, we ran out of topics to discuss. It was just reasonable speculation based on newly discovered aspects in this world.

‘Too many things have changed in the changed world, and because of me.’

After that, I talked with Hecate about the purpose of the goddess of [Beginning] and the final dragon, but there wasn’t much gain.

If only there was a means for humanity to coexist with the will of stars more perfectly, without wounds.

“Um, excuse me.”

“Yes?”

Hecate had been restless since the conversation was somewhat over. There was urgency in her eyes, which had been glancing out the window for a while.

‘Hm? It’s just an ordinary sunset.’

The conversation that had started from midday had continued until sunset was beginning. The sound of preparing dinner was faintly echoing from the square restaurant.

-Kids! The ingredient prep is done!

-Bring three more batches of potatoes.

-Oh my, I feel bad just eating this, is there anything I can help with?

-Haha, it’s okay! Mister.

Sounds of daily life.

Sounds of Hecate groaning.

“…Haah.”

Hecate seemed to think she couldn’t take it anymore and started speaking in a desperate voice.

“If the talk is over… I want to… play games…”

“Games?”

Nod nod

A vigorous nod of agreement leaving a silver afterimage due to her silver hair.

If Hecate were to be sent out to a rock concert like this, she seemed like she could perform the role of an excellent guest.

I never dreamed that this girl would come to love games so much.

Rather, I thought she would look down on modern culture and have very analog and refined hobbies.

“…”

Fidget

Fidget

Perhaps due to the physique of a born 3-star magical girl, even her fidgeting hands moved violently like tap dancing. I had heard rumors that with those finger skills, she was conquering numerous games in record time and interacting with many game-loving magical girls.

‘Is the subtly timid speech pattern also due to that influence?’

A meeting of introverted girls with introverted girls.

Come to think of it, Hecate had always shown an introverted appearance, disliking crowded places.

‘It wasn’t noticeable because her speech was solemn and she only interacted with golden girls.’

Perhaps these appearances are Hecate’s new self that she’s creating as she finds things she likes.

Even if it seems very disconnected from her past appearance of mechanically carrying out missions, it might not be a completely different aspect.

“Alright. But you have to go on a business trip to America early tomorrow morning, so do it in moderation.”

“Ah, understood…! I’ll only play until 4… 3 AM…!”

Hurriedly

Hecate, who urgently disconnected the game console from the charger to the point where her solemn speech pattern as the magical girl of [Revelation] mixed with the timid speech pattern of an introverted girl, dived onto the white blanket.

Rustle

Rustle

After creating a nest by gathering scattered blankets around with her slender arms and silver-white starlight, Hecate, who had established a powerful gaming domain that even the three goddesses couldn’t invade, fell silent.

Leaving Hecate on the top floor of the lighthouse, I walked around the square watching magical girls preparing dinner and ordinary people living in Elysion, pondering ways for stars and humans to coexist.

“Oh? Your Majesty! Aren’t you coming to eat?”

“I’ll come a bit later. I just want to walk for a while now.”

“Miss Shirogane! A new collection has come out, would you like to take a look?”

“I’ll take a look after dinner.”

“I’m thinking of doing a simple broadcast tonight, would you like to participate?”

“I’ll just come to watch.”

“Hahaha! It would be an honor if you come!”

People spoke to me.

The evening scenery of Elysion, which the goddess of [Beginning] tried to provide as a final refuge for humans, was peaceful and warm. But I felt greedy to share this scene with more people.

The relationship between stars and humans.

Is this really a fight that ends when all demons are defeated?

Is this really a fight that must continue until both sides are completely silent?

Is there no way to resolve the deep rift… the wounds of stars that have formed in between?

I walked while thinking such thoughts.