Chapter 16: Pillar of Light

Pillar of Light

The color of the sun is faintly visible in the sky.

Morning is approaching.

Will it be the morning when everything ends, or...

I watched from a distance as Asahina-san entered the tower.

After a while, Asahina-san escapes from the tower, holding me in her arms.

Nemuri-chan came out of the tower following Asahina-san. Afterwards, Kaoru-chan, Mitaka-san, and Alice-chan appeared one after the other, then disappeared into the distance.

I landed once again on the grounds of the Sousei Dome Tower.

There is no one inside except for Sumire's body.

What I asked Asahina-san to do was to keep Nemuri-chan away from the tower.

I'll have Yuzuriha-san use her "Illusion Magic" to disguise herself as me, and Asahina-san use her strong legs to run away. While they're doing that, Nemuri-chan won't be paying any attention to what's happening inside the tower.

Nemuri-chan's abilities are unknown, and it would be very dangerous for even the two of them to face her. Kaoru-chan, Mitaka-san, and Alice-chan are with them in case something goes wrong.

I stood in front of Sumire.

I gaze at that beautiful face.

A variety of emotions are overflowing, but I can contain them for now.

While Asahina-san and the others are buying me time, there's something I need to do.

Roy spoke up.

"So, what are you going to do?"

"Revive Sumire"

"You mean Resurrection...? That's in the realm of God. How on earth could you..."

"I'll use my wish here."

There was a short pause.

Roy looked stunned.

"Have you been putting your wish on hold? But--"　

Roy seemed to be struggling to say what he was saying, so Rococo took over.　

"A 'Wish' cannot grant any wish. A 'Wish' can only grant wishes that are equal to or less than the one made in the contract. Of course, it is impossible to bring someone back to life."

His tone was sarcastic, and it seemed as if he was trying to break my spirit.

It seems that Rococo is a malicious entity after all.

But what Rococo said was already anticipated.

"Maybe. But what if I paid an additional price for it?"

It was an idea I got from Sumire's "Compensation Magic."

Sumire's "Compensation Magic" is like turning the magical girl's contract itself into her personal magic.

Conversely, a contract can be said to be something like a "Compensation Magic."

Our admiration for magical girls clouded our vision, and we underestimated the harshness of bearing that fate.

In reality, becoming a "Magical Girl" comes at a very heavy price, and therefore the price to pay is endlessly high.

In other words, a "Contract" is a system in which wishes are granted in exchange for a Compensation.

My thinking is that if the price is made larger, it will be possible to make a bigger wish that cannot be granted with a normal contract.

"A person's life or death is not a matter that can be resolved by the amount of compensation. That is forbidden."　

An unexpected fact.

If quantity of compensation isn't the issue, what should I do?

Greasy sweat broke out on my forehead. Is there nothing I can do? No, it's too early to give up hope. Think. Think. What should I do?

A desperate measure suddenly comes to mind.

"In that case, I won't revive her directly. Instead, I'll have you strengthen my recovery magic. Make it powerful enough to bring Sumire back to life."

"I see. It may not be forbidden, but that much magic... what exactly would you put as the cost?"

"I will put all my everything as a Magical Girl—no, as the 'Eighth'—into this one spell."　

Actually, I don't mind using my life.

But I'm sure Sumire wouldn't want that.

If Sumire wakes up and finds out that I took her place, she'll definitely blame herself.

That's not what I want.　

"In exchange for losing all my power, I'll just get a one-time magic boost..."

"Haha," Rococo chuckled.

As if mocking me.

"That's still not enough."　

He said.

I clench my fists.　

I was naive...　

That's right.

That's what Sumire said at that time.　

"I'll put everything I've got into this"

"I'll use my everything into the next spell."

Then.

I too must put my all into this.

Sumire might blame herself if I were to disappear, which is something I want to avoid at all costs, but the worst thing would be if I couldn't revive her.

Use a life for a life.

Isn't this a surefire equivalent exchange?

"Then my life--"

"Koharu!"　

Roy interrupted me.

It's easy to imagine what he's trying to say.

He says.

"That cannot be overlooked."　

See, just as expected.　

"But--"

"There's still something else that can be used as the compensation."

Something else...

Think quietly.

However, only mundane thoughts like wealth come to mind.

To begin with, I don't have anything good.

A house, clothes, and money can't buy Sumire's life.

Or does Roy really value Sumire's life that little?　

Roy laughed fearlessly, ignoring my confusion.

His appearance reminds me of Sumire from the past.

Strangely, I felt like listening to Roy's opinion.

"What is that thing you're talking about, Roy?"

"That's the power of a magical girl."　

For a moment I don't understand what he's saying and think about it for a bit.

I understood the meaning of the words, but now I don't understand the intention.

I shrug my shoulders.

"...? So that's why I'm putting all my strength on the line like this--"

"That's not true," Roy shook his body, in what was probably the equivalent of a human shaking his head. "...I'm not sure if I can call it that, but I'm free Agent right now."

What could he mean by that?

That means...

"Could it be—"

"That's right."

Roy nodded.

"Kisaragi Koharu! I want you to make a contract with me and become a magical girl!"

※※※※

Contract.

This was the third time in my life that I had been asked to do that.

The first time was at a mobile phone store.

The second time was from Rococo in an emergency.

He called out to me as I lay on my knees in fear on the main street, where demons swam in the sky and people had lost their minds.

"I want you to make a contract with me and fight demons."

Looking back, he never said the word "Magical Girl."

However, the misunderstanding arose because I read the context as I wanted and mentally filled in the gaps with the contract of a Magical Girl.

I made a contract with him and immediately transformed into a magical girl, but my abilities were focused on defense and I couldn't attack properly, so the battle dragged on. Then Kaoru-chan appeared. We were both surprised, but we quickly teamed up to fight the demon and emerged victorious.

At that moment, Kaoru said.

"Koharu has become a magical girl too!"

That confirmed my misunderstanding.

I was the "Eighth."

I wasn't a magical girl.

※※※※

And this is the third time.

This time, as a true Magical Girl.

Leaving aside the question of mobile phone contracts, I already have a contract with Rococo.

However, as I just found out, that is not a contract as a magical girl, but as the "Eighth."

So it's not a double contract -- that's Roy's reasoning.

I don't know if that logic will work.

Anyway.

It is true that I have no choice but to rely on this to break out of the situation.　

If I combines my power as the "Eighth" and my power as a Magical Girl, I might be able to use "Recovery Magic" powerful enough to bring Sumire back to life.　

I nodded in response to Roy's suggestion.

"Make me a Magical Girl!"　

At that moment.

A new chair appeared in the empty space that had been left by the furniture surrounding the round table.

That means the contract is complete.

I feel a fresh energy filling my whole body, and realize that I have become a real Magical Girl.

It seemed that I hadn't acquired any new magic or magical tools. They were probably just duplicates. However, it was clear that I had become more powerful.

When I tried to bring out a shield, a bigger one appeared than before.

If I combine this power with a wish...　

"Rococo, how about this?"　

I said hopefully.

But even so, Rococo's composure remains undiminished.

"I was a little worried," he said.　

"It's unfortunate, but it's a shame. It's still not enough."

It wasn't that I hadn't expected it at all, but it was still disappointing. However, I hadn't exhausted all the options that Roy had given me. I raised my voice.

"Then what about multiplying my wish to you and my wish to Roy together?!"

If this doesn't work, there's nothing else I can do.

I said it as if praying to God.

Will Rococo's answer, which has yet to come, be a blessing or a punishment?

The verdict is given.

"--- Wishes aren't such convenient things."

"No way!"

What should I do?

What should I do?

What should I do?　

This time, all options have been exhausted.

I can't even think of a desperate solution.　

I looked at Roy pleadingly.

But Roy didn't say anything.　

Yeah.

In the end, it comes back to the original problem.

"I guess there's no other way but to make me the sacrifice--"

"You don't have to carry everything on your shoulders."

"So what do I have to do?!"

Even at this point, Roy is still preaching naive idealism, and although I knows it's unreasonable, I feel angry.　

"Use me."　

The blood that had been rushing to my head starts to drain, and I feel my whole body cooling down rapidly.

"Use Roy...? N-no! You can't overlook the fact that I'm being sacrificed, but you're okay with me sacrificing you? That can't be!"

"As I said before, it was ultimately my fault. If someone was going to make amends, it would make sense to do so with my life."

"But!! Sumire would be sad if that happened..."

"I would find it much more unbearable to lose you. You're Sumire's best friend, aren't you? After all, I'm only an 'Agent'."

"Even so, Roy has spent two years with Sumire. That's still a big deal."

"She needs a good punishment."

"Eh……?"

Even at a time like this, Roy had a smile on his face for some reason.

"Sumire is always making those around her sad by sacrificing herself, so I want her to learn a little about our heartache."

To be honest, I didn't really understand that.　

"And—"

Roy offered an idea.

There's no guarantee it will work, but it might make everything go smoothly.

If that's how you think, then there's nothing I can do about it.

I wasn't keen, but I told Roy my wish.

In exchange for my power as a Magical Girl, my power as the "Eighth", and Roy's life, I would strengthen my "Recovery Magic" just once.

I had a little hope that this would still not be enough,

As soon as my wish through Roy was granted, he disappeared.　

And I felt that my "Recovery Magic"  had been strengthened to its limit.　

Will this really bring Sumire back to life?

I'm worried though.

I placed my hand over Sumire's chest and activated "Recovery Magic."

It emitted an intense brilliance that split the heavens, creating a pillar of light that shone brightly in the dawn sky.

◇◆◇◆

When I woke up, I was in a pitch black place.

It was a darkness deeper than darkness itself - not a natural one. Rather than darkness, it would be better to call it nothingness. It was like a glitch in the world. It felt as though I was wandering around a map that didn't exist in the game. Fear welled up within me.

Am I dead?

Recalling the last memory.

That's right, after I was completely defeated by Koharu, Kaoru, and Yuzuki, I misread the "Compensation Magic" and lost consciousness. No matter how you look at it, that was just too stupid.

At the time, I was overconfident that I wouldn't die because Koharu was with me, but considering that I was now in a mysterious space, I was probably dead in all likelihood.　

I see.

Am I dead?

Nooooooooooooooooooo!!!

I don't want to die yet!

I just wanted to stay alive and make them miserable!

Otherwise I wouldn't be able to enjoy their reactions!

No, no, no! If I die, it's all over!

At least! At least tell me how everyone reacted after I died!!!

By the way, where am I?　

I start running.

My body completely melts into the darkness, and not even its outline can be seen, and even if I move, the perspective doesn't change at all, so it's hard to tell if I'm actually running. In fact, I might not even have a body.

Maybe I will stay like this forever...?　

If so... is this a punishment?

Is this the price to pay for acting with malicious intent to instill trauma into the hearts of innocent girls?　

Terrible.

Hard.

Someone help me.

I prayed to God.　

...I wonder if my prayer was answered.

She descended from above my crouching head like a curtain.

Her presence dispelled the endless darkness of this world.

It illuminated me and gave me shape.

Her white hair, longer than her height, gently swayed as she descended before me.

She lowered her face melancholy. As she did so, her long eyelashes stood out even more, and her beauty was imbued with a sense of mystery.

I didn't know who she was.

But I knew her true identity in an instant.

This divinity...

There is likely only one person in the world who possesses it.

The being closest to God, who created this world.

The Magical Girl of Creation, the Genesis.