Chapter 28: The difference between Symphogear

Symphogear is a power derived from relics. While not on par with a complete relic, it can rival one if the wielder achieves sufficient phonic gain. Each relic utilizes phonic gain uniquely to enhance the user, but the underlying principle remains constant: they transcend human capabilities.

This phenomenon would undoubtedly fascinate scientists. Thinking about scientists makes me think of a certain green-haired girl from Honkai. While her methods are questionable, they are understandable considering her world teeters on the brink of destruction; sometimes, the only way to defeat the unreasonable is to become slightly unhinged.

I can relate. Although I've forgotten my past in the parallel world, I'm certain I've done questionable, perhaps even borderline insane, things. Regardless, I'm currently watching Hibiki, Chris, and Tsubasa on their first mission in Africa.

I almost pity their enemies. Only other Symphogear users, Noise, alchemy users, or extraordinary beings like demons or Custodians can harm Symphogear wielders. Normal humans and their weapons are useless against them.

The fact that my clone, sent to eliminate corrupt individuals, is impervious to their attacks proves this. While my relic is primarily defensive, Chris, who lacks defensive capabilities, can withstand gunfire and RPGs, highlighting the absurdity of Symphogear users.

However, the anime's consistency on this point is questionable. Chris effortlessly tanks RPGs, yet Hibiki defends her from a tank shell. This raises the question: can sufficient firepower harm a Symphogear user?

If so, then Chris and Miku, who excel at long-range combat but lack defense, are vulnerable to tank shells. How much firepower would it take to harm Tsubasa, Shirabe, Kirika, Maria, and Serena, who possess some defensive capabilities?

And that doesn't even account for Hibiki and Kanade, who boast the most defensive power of them all. It's absurd. Which leads me to wonder about myself, whose relic is primarily defensive.

I believe I could withstand a missile barrage or even an atomic bomb if adequately prepared. But enough about that. Seeing Hibiki and Tsubasa defeat a massive flying ship constructed from alchemy makes me wonder if I could recreate the robots from the anime I watched in my previous life.

While I think the Gundam mechs are too advanced for this world, the Knightmares from Code Geass could probably be made without Sakuradite. Now that I think about it, the Valiancer from Valvrave the Liberator is rather romantic with its coupling system. Furthermore, with alchemy, this world could likely create Silhouette Knights without needing the ether reaction caused by demonic beasts.

Seeing how alchemy created Carol's castle and that flying ship has brought a lot of anime robots to mind. Somehow, I think the Ragna-Mail and its lesser version, the Para-Mail from Cross Ange, would be the easiest to create and pilot, as they're basically ridden like motorcycles and could significantly boost the Symphogear users.

While I don't think we can create a perfect replica of the Para-Mail since I only know how it works and functions, I'll leave it to Fine and Carol. At times like this, I regret not having any drawing talent, as there's a chance it will look different from the Para-Mail that I know. Oh well, at least we can arrive at the target at a higher speed using this.

I don't have high hopes for the Ragna-Mail, since it was specially made, and the anime never mentions how it was created. But one thing is for sure: it resonates with song. Ragna-Mail can be classified as a living mecha because there are restrictions on who can use them.

Well, enough about that. Since I'm stuck in HQ for now, I messaged Fine my ideas and the concept, even though they're not really mine since they're from the anime I watch. While I hope they can create it, I emphasized that this doesn't have a high priority and is just something that will make things easier for me.

After sending the message, I felt like I worded it poorly, almost like a daughter begging her parents for something she wants. Knowing Fine, I hope she doesn't overwork Carol to achieve it, as I sometimes forget that Fine is a mom who spoils her child.

She was kind before the stuff with Enki and Shem-Ha happened, so I'll blame it all on him for turning a kind woman into an unhinged one. Still, Fine is doing well now, and after hearing about the plan to follow the three girls, I decided to follow them with my real body.

The main reason is that I want to talk with Saint-Germain and the other two. Besides, I have a feeling that I can get along well with Cagliostro since he is a former man who transformed into a girl. Now that I have the ability to manifest Faust Robe from Carol, even though I can't combine it with Symphogear yet due to lacking power, I want to see how far their conviction goes.

So, just like in the anime, I followed Tomosato and Fujitaka, but I was hidden. In fact, I only told Genjuro that I would take a walk. Thank goodness this building was noticeable from far away. Though seriously, Fujitaka is really an idiot sometimes. If you're really trying to decrypt something, at least stay away so you don't bother the others, especially if you set the sound of completion so loud.

I enjoyed watching Saint-Germain and the other two kill the corrupt president. It was hilarious that he thought he was one of them when the mark was just a way for them to kill him and his guys off in case they outlived their usefulness.

The three of them still had good singing voices, but every song ends. Just as this one did, the president, who had been begging Saint-Germain, Prelati, and Cagliostro to defend him and repel the UN forces with the S.O.N.G., ironically began to glow along with his subordinates. Their bodies disintegrated and slowly gathered in Saint-Germain's hand.

Truly ironic. I slowly stood from my seat, and because my Faust robe mimicked Morgan's relic, I used a replica of my relic abilities to conceal myself and follow Saint-Germain's team. From the corner of my eye, I saw Fujisato and his team following as well.

I was enjoying the show until Fujisato messed up, just like in the anime. His laptop started making a lot of noise because he had successfully decrypted the code. I tried to hold back my laughter, because if I laughed, the effect of my equipment would disappear. But now there was a question.

I decided to reveal myself after they summoned Yohualtepozli, a snake. Even I was surprised that I could recall such a long name, since I'm usually bad with names. I knew the snake would fight Maria and the others, and that Maria would pull the snake back when they boarded the moving train.

So this is Tiki, huh...

I slowly glanced at the Autoscorer inside a crystal. I pitied this doll and her unrequited love, since her master and creator, Adam, never really loved her and only saw her as a tool. But she didn't mind one bit, which just shows how loyal Autoscorers are to their creators, no matter how weird they are.

I'd looked at her enough for now. I needed to catch up with Saint-Germain, as the snake should be fighting Maria and the others. I wondered if Kanade, Serena, and Miku would join in, since, unlike in the anime, Fine and Carol had already finished decrypting Dr. Ver's recipe and should be ready to fight soon.

Now that I remembered, I had learned some magic from Fine, who gladly taught me. Stealing the souls they gathered would be easy for me, but I should back off for now. Even though seeing the snake revert any damage dealt to it made me want to test if I could damage it.

Because, just like Gungnir, Aegis is categorized as a Divine Relic in this world, it should nullify the snake's power to rewind any damage it receives. Hearing Saint-Germain and the others proudly explain how it works as their way to achieve divine power was funny.

If I transformed right now and defeated this snake, I could absorb the divine power myself, because my relic is categorized as a Divine Relic. But when she said that alchemy's main objective was to obtain divine power, that was very funny, since from what I know, alchemists' main objective has always been seeking the truth, just like Carol's father.

That's why Carol's power is far more terrifying than the other three, even though they all use human souls to increase their power. As Maria retreated, I decided to reveal myself.

"A divine power, huh? That's quite a grand objective for someone so blind to the truth."

As I said this, the three of them turned to face me. I saw Cagliostro preparing to use alchemy, but I quickly isolated us in an alternate space.

"Don't worry, I'm not here to fight you. Besides, alchemy's goal was never to obtain divine power, but to seek the truth."

"What do you mean by that? You're one of the Symphogear users, right?"

"Yes, but you should also notice that I'm wearing a Faust robe, not a Symphogear. I'm here to greet you and to observe your resolve."

"As for resolve, I'm prepared to sacrifice anything for the greater good of humanity."

"Fufufu, that's why I said you're blind. You're second-rate alchemists because you've never tried to seek the truth."

I slowly waved my finger, glancing at the three of them.

"Have you ever wondered why Adam created the Bavarian Illuminati? Or what his objective was? Or why the Curse of Balal exists in the first place? You never questioned it, and simply believed that alchemy would return humanity to its original place, but have you even considered what humanity's original place is?"

My barrage of questions silenced them. I saw Saint-Germain summon the snake again, but I hijacked it. Since it mainly used divine power, it was surprisingly easy to do, which shocked Saint-Germain.

"You see, the truth hurts, and it doesn't care about your circumstances, whether you're poor, rich, strong, or weak. The truth treats everyone the same. Though, I think a portion of the truth is that no matter how much you try to bend it, its core will always remain the same. An apple is an apple, even if you genetically engineer it to taste like a grape; people will still recognize it as an apple."

I slowly returned the snake to its soul form and gave it back to Saint-Germain.

"Now, for today's question: do you know the real identity of Adam Weishaupt? I'll await your answer."

Then, I dissipated the space around us, returning it to normal, and slowly teleported away, my body disintegrating as I left.

"Ah, but be careful. That man has no humanity and will sacrifice anything for his goal."

Leaving that word, I slowly appeared next to Maria and poked her cheek.

"Gah! Don't just appear out of nowhere, Mei."

"Fufufu, sorry. Good work out there, Maria. Now, I'll guard your back since those guys are no joke after all."

Maria grew silent as she slowly stared at me.

"Mei, when the snake disappeared earlier, was that your doing?"

"Hmmm... yes and no, since I was greeting them, after all."

"They are enemies, you know? Wait, don't tell me..."

"Yup. Their situation is basically just like yours in the past, so I decided to lend a bit of help, though I won't know until later if it does any good, because, Maria, you see..."

I slowly walked away from Maria, then turned around and grinned at her.

"I'm a girl who likes a good ending, after all."

Let the fourth season begin.