Chapter 32: Changing the Future

While I was stuck doing idol activities, the group managed to take down Cagliostro. The reason I know that is because she showed up in front of me, battered from the fight, probably having escaped at the last second to really sell Adam on the idea that she was dead.

"In the end, you're right. Adam doesn't care about us or even humanity at all."

"Well, I'm surprised you managed to know that much, but it's probably that Adam doesn't care as long as the plan still goes the way he wants, huh..."

He did show up, just like in the anime. The only difference was that because a lot of the girls were there, they managed to reduce the casualties from his strike significantly, which probably meant he only got an even smaller drop of whatever it was. I kind of forgot what drop it was.

Was it Divine power or something else? I kind of forgot, but with Cagliostro here, that meant the girls managed to get the Fool's Stone.

Still, I feel like if they just let Fine and Carol handle it, both of them would make an even more powerful one since Symphogear was Fine's creation after all.

Though now that I think about it, recently, Carol, Fine, and I have been sidelined this entire time. To be fair, Fine was being watched, especially Carol, and because I wasn't willing to tell them anything, they are trying to do things by themselves to prove that they have the power to stand by my side.

Still, I'm worried because with the help of Faust's Robe, I manage to control Divine power. At the same time, controlling this makes me feel like I'm losing something. Is this the reason why I forgot my memories, I wonder?

'What do you think, Morgan?'

'Yes, Mamoru, because of your father, you do indeed have the ability to manipulate divine power, but it was too much for you. In fact, the more you use it, the more unstable you become, which is why you were thrown to this world in the first place.'

'I see.'

Morgan usually stands by silently, which is a pity. She only speaks when I address her. Apparently, she's still trying her best to help me because of my reckless action of damaging Aegis, which made my body unstable.

'Still, why did I look almost exactly like Morgan when I turned into a girl?'

'Well, let's just say the real Morgan did that in secret, hoping you would never forget about her.'

'I don't know whether I should be happy or sad hearing that, but can you give me a rough estimate of how long it will take for my body to be repaired?'

'Mamoru, I know what you're trying to do, and honestly, it will be difficult for me. It will be a huge load, and I probably won't be able to talk with you after that, but are you sure?'

'Yes, since the future has changed, and I don't know whether it will head in a good direction or not. I need to be ready for everything, so in a worst-case scenario, I will absorb the divinity instead of Hibiki later on.'

'You really like to sacrifice yourself a bit too much. Maybe that's why I, Hibiki, and the real Morgan fell for you, but I hope one day you know what it feels like to hopelessly watch you get hurt in the process.'

'Ahahahaha, I can imagine the feeling, which is why I do this so I won't feel them. But yeah, I need to focus on them now.'

'You're a rather cruel person, Mamoru... I love you, and please take care of yourself a bit more, even though I know you probably won't.'

'Sorry.'

I slowly glance at Cagliostro, who is now speaking with Fine and Carol. While I can understand a bit of what they are planning, I don't think I can help them since those things require a finer mind. To be honest, while I know a bit of alchemy now after learning in my free time with Carol, my control is so rough that I usually brute force it most of the time.

Admitting that makes me feel like Hibiki, whose strategy most of the time is focusing on brute force, hoping it will work. And most of the time, it does work because of her boldness, which is fueled by Miku always being beside her. What's more, her family problems are already fixed. Though, knowing her, she'll probably get distracted since her ego, while not as big as the original, is still high.

Looking at the chat group's history, I can certainly see it since Hibiki apparently spared an enemy again. I was okay with this group since they have principles and never really hurt the innocent, though I won't forgive Adam one bit. As for the rest of the group, I don't know them well as they are just background characters in the anime that barely even have screen time or even show up in the first place.

Besides, since Cagliostro is already here, it's only a matter of time before Prelati will be hunted as well. Now that I think about it, the Ragna-Mail is almost complete, but maybe I should give it to them after we defeat Adam since that guy is so slippery that he always escapes using portals.

Then, as I was thinking about that, Cagliostro came to me.

"Mei, I have to go."

"Oh yeah, from what I've seen, that little girl, Prelati was it? The girls are hunting her down now, so you need to fake her death as well, but this will still hurt Saint-Germain, so you have prepared yourself, right?"

"Yeah, I know, but isn't it like, to fool your enemies, you have to fool your allies?"

Hearing that, I slowly giggled as Cagliostro winked at me as she transformed into her faust robe and slowly walked away, and Carol slowly showed up.

"You're really too kind."

"Not really, I'm only kind to you guys."

"Then can I ask you something?"

"What is it, Carol-chan?"

"Tch..... don't add chan to my name........"

Carol then slowly stared at me in the eyes.

"Why did you save me? And from what I hear from the girls, with the way you saved me, you must have sacrificed something. What was it?"

When she said that, something clicked for me, and it explained why I recently had a hard time remembering my first life. So when Carol burned her memories, mine got burned instead, huh?

"Oi, answer me."

"Oh yeah, I saved you guys because, just like I said before, I like a good ending, and your ending was way too pitiful—dying while forgetting everything, not even remembering why your father never fought back and let himself be captured. As for the price, I will let you guess it."

"Wait, don't tell me you..."

"It's okay. Besides, I can't go back to that world anyway. Though at the time I tried to save you, I never really cared about the price."

"You..."

Carol slowly grew silent, but she started to show a complex feeling. Was it anger, sadness, or sorrow?

I don't know which one, but I can guess that she remembered her father, so I slowly patted her head.

"While you're very old, to me you look like a girl who has lost her way, so I want to guide you to the right path."

"I NEVER ASKED YOU FOR THAT."

"Yes, but Elfnein and your father wouldn't want you to go that way because they love you."

I slowly hug her and start to feel my clothes get wet, which surprises me a bit. I just pat her back.

"Besides, you're really trying to keep your feelings to yourself. If you don't start taking steps to speak with others, how will they know how you feel?"

"That is none of your business."

"Indeed, but I hope in the future you start to open up more. Besides, you're trying to dodge meeting with the Symphogear girls, aren't you?"

I can feel her start to shudder a bit, which makes me want to laugh, but I hold it in as I keep hugging her.

"It's okay. At least you noticed that you've done wrong. While the others might judge you, at least Hibiki will forgive you since that girl is too cheerful."

"What I see is hypocrisy from her."

"Fufufu, maybe, but that is just how teenagers are since they're still trying to find their way. Some might get lost, but that is why friends exist—to help you when you've lost your way."

"I don't remember being friends with you."

"Yup, but you see, I already see you girls as my family, and I prefer my family to be happy, no matter the cost."

"Well, aren't you a selfish girl? Don't tell me you would destroy the world if it tried to kill the girls."

I slowly hold Carol's shoulder and smile at her.

"You are serious."

"Yes, and just like I said, no matter the cost, there are still some girls that need help as well."

"Those Bavarian Illuminati."

"Yeah, their story is rather tragic as well, which is why I'm trying to save them."

"You're a truly selfish being, but I can see why those girls care about you."

Hearing that, I got confused, but Carol just smirked at me, enjoying my reaction.

"Well, let's just say the girls created a group without you in it."

"Somehow, I have a bad feeling about that."

"Yeah, it was very hilarious every time I see it. Are you trying to have a harem?"

"Wait, that makes me even more worried about what's inside that group."

"No way I will tell you, as now it's one of my enjoyments here as I wait to re-create Autoscorer."

"In the end, you really like them, even though they are very quirky."

"Mind your business."

"Fufufu, then I will wait when they come back, though knowing you, it's just that you haven't prepared or resolved yourself to meet them."

"Like I said, mind your business."

"Then I will, as apparently I have to go back to being an idol."

"You know, I'm rather surprised that you're still doing that, even though you complain that you're not fit to be an idol."

"Yeah, but we need someone to entertain while the other three are still busy saving the world, right?"

Carol slowly let out a sigh as she shook her head before poking me in the cheek. Since she was smaller than me, she was on her tiptoes, which looked cute.

"They're seriously irresponsible, leaving you all alone to handle this entertainment stuff."

"Well, they want to prove they can fight without me, which is why I haven't been in much action recently, aside from fighting nearby Noise."

"Want me to help?"

I was surprised and slowly stared at Carol. Apparently, that embarrassed her, as she turned her gaze away from me.

"No, it's fine. Besides, it's only normal Noise, which means the Treasury of Babylonia is active again, and Solomon's Cane is somewhere in this world."

Hearing my answer, Carol went silent before slowly nodding her head.

"Indeed, that's the only explanation that makes sense. But the question is, how? From what I know, isn't Solomon's Cane supposed to be inside the Treasury of Babylonia in the first place? So how did it get out?"

"I don't know, but I can only guess this is the consequence of my actions bringing both Kanade and Serene back to life. Even now, I'm surprised that plan worked, but as expected of Symphogear, I guess it really can bring a miracle."

"Tch... I hate that word, but still, that doesn't explain how Solomon's Cane is in this world again."

"That is true. Let's just hope the consequence isn't dire."

Gazing at the sky, I started to prepare myself to go back to being an idol.