Volume 12, Epilogue  

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In just an instant, Hyakki Yakou swallowed everything again.

A person whose soul was dominated showed not even the slightest hesitation. A body was merely a tool that executed the instruction given by a soul.

Hyakki Yakou in Kusanagi Kiseki's vicinity was temporarily erased with the 《Ragnar?kkr Enchant》, but what accumulated inside her body grew infinitely.

It wouldn't stop until it devoured the entire world. Kiseki only focused on eroding the entire planet with Hyakki Yakou.

Inside the sea of Hyakki Yakou——Lapis Lazuli searched for Takeru's whereabouts.

They were separated when the demons have overflowed from inside Kiseki.

Normally she would be able to appear beside him anywhere and anytime thanks to their contract's bond, but since they were covered in Hyakki Yakou, she couldn't reach him.

《"————Host."》

She attempted magic communication but it didn't reach him. She wasn't made for searching but she deployed some FM-bits to search for him, but they were devoured by Hyakki Yakou.

The reason Lapis was safe now, was because she was necessary to Sougetsu.

Most likely Takeru was also safe.

The problem was with Ikaruga and Usagi.

Considering she couldn't do anything by herself, Lapis gave priority to Takeru.

It's not over yet. Recalling the feelings she received from Takeru by the end, Lapis repeated it to herself.

It's not over yet… surely, everyone is safe…

She had no basis for that, but praying that is the case she continued to search for Takeru.

She needed to search for him in some way. Lapis was unable to scatter away Hyakki Yakou by herself. She attempted to move her body by turning it into particles, but even if she changed her body into tiny grains she was unable to pass through high-density Hyakki Yakou. Considering she could not move independently in the sword state, she could only move in humanoid mode.

Although she tried twisting her body with all her strength, Hyakki Yakou wouldn't budge. Her legs sank into the irregular sticky swamp-like mass.

Were Usagi and Ikaruga… really safe in this situation?

Lapis wasn't affected by the erosion, but those two…

——No. I should act instead of thinking.

She struggled, struggled for Takeru's sake.

If those two die, Takeru will despair. Lapis knew well that everyone was just as important to him.

Lapis too, was possessive. It's because she wanted to monopolize him that there was part of herself who wished for their souls to fuse. She unconsciously erased the memories Takeru had of his comrades and urged him to activate the God Hunter form.

It was her nature as a Sacred Treasure and it couldn't be helped, but Lapis herself did not want to snatch Takeru away in that manner.

That's why she resisted her own qualities as a Sacred Treasure.

She also spoke of it to Takeru's comrades.

The 35th test platoon…

"…………"

Suddenly, she stopped moving for a moment. Lapis thought not only about Takeru, but also about the platoon members.

The relation Lapis had with the platoon members was very weak. She had no interest in comrades and they treated her as Takeru's weapon.

Lapis only looked from beside Takeru. Before they realized, she was there and it could be said that she was treated like air.

She has never felt lonely before.

She was happy as long as she was by Takeru's side.

At first she could only wonder why was he together with that noisy bunch. They struggled for point acquisition, laughed, yelled at each other… until she re-contracted with Takeru she thought it was all silly and ridiculous.

However, Lapis loved looking at Takeru whenever he was with them. She loved looking at him from the side as spoke with other members while looking genuinely happy.

There was a scene that has remained in her memory even now.

During the after school platoon activities all of them walked in the Antimagic Academy's school corridor, she watched their appearance from behind.

Even before Lapis had become a proper person, she had a moment where she thought she would like to watch them like that forever.

To think of it, that might have been the trigger that caused her to acquire a human heart.

While recalling that scene Lapis started moving her body again.

I will… bring Host back to that place… that is my mission.

In order to bring back that sunset-dyed corridor.

Not even one of them can be missing… I won't let that.

In order to see that scene again.

Those girls are necessary… both to Host, and to me…

She couldn't abandon them.

Everything for Host's sake.

No, everything for her own sake.

If I repeatedly turn into particles and rebuild myself I might be able to move small distances… let's try it.

Lapis didn't give up and continued to try escaping.

《 "——You've really grown to stink like a human, Mistilteinn."》

From the other side of the Hyakki Yakou she had seen, she heard an awfully clear voice.

When Lapis who intended to swim through the sea of demons had raised her face, a space had opened in front of her.

Or rather, it would be more correct that a barrier had forcibly opened free space.

In the center of it, floated a cracked-up sword.

And overlapping with it, was an illusion of a white woman.

"…Gungnir…"

Lapis called her name.

The other Sacred Treasure whose whereabouts were unknown after the battle with Orochi, had appeared in front of Lapis.

From among the ones Lapis knew of Gungnir was the only Sacred Treasure that retained some fighting capability despite losing her contractor.

However, seeing as it had cracks on it, without doubt it must have been partially destroyed just like L?vateinn.

She should have lost most of her performance, aside from her magic power.

Since there was no knowing with what intent has she appeared, Lapis didn't lower her guard. If Gungnir has come to get in her way, Lapis decided to resist with the few magic power she could muster.

However, Gungnir's illusion has approached Lapis and quietly closed her eyes.

《"Perhaps, for this moment… Orochi has had you deepen your bond with Kusanagi Takeru."》

Being told something that meaningful, Lapis was puzzled.

Gungnir continued with her eyes closed.

《"The situation requires urgency. I have very little time left."》

"……?"

《"No need for needless dialogue. I will only relay to you what is necessary."》

She paused there, opened her eyes and looked at Lapis.

《"I'm thinking of entrusting it to you."》

Then the azure-colored girl asked.

Entrust what?

And the white witch had responded to the question.

《"——The power to save the world."》

Mistilteinn——has received those words for what they meant.