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Chapter 59 Part 1 – An Unforeseen Ending

Alisa sat alone on top of the spire, her blond hair fluttering in the night breeze.
The boy had already disappeared.

A buzzing sound began to emanate from Alisa’s body.
Dozens of golden metallic beetles crawled out of the shoulder cape of Alisa’s blue dress, the collar, the hem of her high-waisted skirt, and from other openings.

They looked like nothing more than golden brooches, but the large, sharp fangs that bit together in small increments showed that they were ferocious life forms. They are the golden beetles that Alisa keeps.

「Oh, you can’t endure it anymore? I’m sorry, but there’s no corpses yet today.」

Alisa lovingly tickled the beetles with her fingertips.
She giggled and smiled like a cute flower.

「…… By the way, that boy’s expression just now …… That was a masterpiece.」

She recalled the stunned look on the boy’s face when he was told that the real purpose of the attack on Scarlet and the others was to let the Seven Phantoms go through an ordeal and test their strength against them.

He probably did not expect the Seven Phantoms would be put to the test.

「…… Those children still don’t have a correct understanding of what I want. The Seven Phantoms are indeed strong. But you know, I’m strong enough on my own. I also don’t need any praise. I have no desire to leave my evaluation to others. Absolute loyalty is also unnecessary. As long as they have an unwavering belief that they are right, I don’t mind if they want to part ways with me. What I truly want is someone who will not succumb to fate …… The kind of person who can work miracles through sheer force of willpower …… Yes, just like Scarlet in the『True History』.」

Alisa extended her hands toward the sky and spoke.

「Ahh, my lovely and hateful Scarlet. Looking back, there has never been anyone closer to my heart than the you in the『True History』. I’ve been through thousands and thousands of looped nights since then, but ……. my feelings for you still remains crazy and strong.」

She hugged herself with both arms as she was overcome with emotions.
It was like her small body could not contain her swelling feelings.

In a flash, Alisa’s little girl form fades away and she transforms into a beautiful young lady with splendid proportions.
It is an application of the 「Blood Sakura Butterfly」 technique that is used by the〈Lawless Crew〉, an illusion technique that uses blood.

But no one, not even the〈Lawless Crew〉, knows of such an application. Or rather, they can’t.
Because no one has reached this level other than Alisa.

It is a feat that could only be accomplished by a genius after spending an enormous amount of time in a loop.

Alisa’s true body is still that of a little girl and it lacks the blood volume to sustain the technique, but she is accompanied by her golden beetles. With the support of the beetles, even the current Alisa can use the technique quite well.

The golden beetles feed on the flesh of dead animals by creating illusions and causing the animals to fall to their deaths from cliffs.
The golden beetles lend their strength to Alisa, who in turn provides them with the flesh of the victims.
They have a symbiotic relationship.

「…… Ahh, Scarlet. You and I are twin stars of destiny. After 108 loops, I am closer to you and you are closer to me. But it’s still not enough …… Far from enough. I want more and more …… Fufu, I won’t let『him』in the ruby get in my way either.『He』is strong. He might even be able to beat the current young me. So, I’ll let him fight with the Seven Phantoms and shave off some of his little manifestation time. Have fun with the dance.」

Alisa muttered and leaped from the roof to the sky with a light step.

「My love rival, you are lovely, but you are an uninvited guest to the ball tonight.」

Alisa held down her blond hair and giggled as she fell down rapidly.

「…… It is exceedingly boring to be able to see the future.」

The air rumbled.
A gust of wind caused the windows to shake and ruffled the treetops in the night.
Entrusting her body to the wind, Alisa landed softly on the grass as if nothing had happened.
There was not a single disarray in her clothing.
Gently holding the sides of her skirt, she assumed a ladylike bearing.

Even if there had been witnesses, they would never have believed it.
Of course, with Alisa’s skill, this level of height is not a problem.
What is truly frightening is that Alisa was able to perform this feat with only her precognition.

Alisa returned to her little girl form and looked up at the thin moon.
Once again, she recalled the boy who was by her side until just a moment ago.

「Even if they are the Seven Phantoms, the current them are still chicks. They will be thoroughly beaten up by『him』. Ageros the Torn God …… If it is his fist, I might be able to expect a bit of a reward. In constant fear of death, he never gave up and continued to pursue his goal of becoming the strongest. Others will laugh at him, saying that this is not appropriate to be the dream of a sick man who does not know whether tomorrow will come for him.」

Alisa called out the boy’s name and raised her hand.

「However, that fist that tries to grasp the moon in the sky is the will of a person who opposes fate. The work of a human. Then I will see where this goes. Even if god sneers at you.」

The smile on Alisa’s mouth drew the shape of a wicked crescent moon, but perhaps because of the moonlight, her cold gaze seemed to have a slight expectation.

「…… So prove it to me. Even if it’s a pitiable fist that will leave you gasping after just one shot. Create with your determination a blow that surpasses strength, speed, skill, and even talent. …… Depending on the outcome of tonight’s battle, I would be able to determine the possibility of you becoming the strongest.」

　　　　　　　　　　◇

Good evening, everyone.
My name is Scarlet Ruby Noel Lingard, the main character of this story.
Pleased to make your acquaintance.
I am sorry for the rushed introduction.
We are in the middle of a battle right now.

Arnold’s six arrows once again came from the sky and rushed toward the giant who suddenly appeared and introduced himself as Phantasma the Phantom Castle, one of the Seven Phantoms.

「…… Fuu ……!!」

Mother also exhaled sharply and matched the timing of that attack.
The arrows flew in a straight line to focus on getting the most power as the target has an unbelievable defense power.

However, just like before, the giant just moved his body and the arrows were bounced off his back.
The same thing happened to mother’s arrow that was aimed at his throat.
His figure as he stood tall without feeling any kind of pain was truly like an impregnable castle.

What the hell is that guy!!　
He’s not wearing a full plate armor!!　
How is it possible for him to do that with just light armor and a cloak!!

「…… That giant is vibrating his muscles to reduce the impact of the attack!! It would be impossible to attack him with arrows!! It would be a different story if we could use a technique like『Thunder Crawl』though ……」

At Seraphy’s words, mother bit her lip regretfully.

The 「Thunder Crawl」 is mother’s special technique of reading the boundary of the wind and accelerating the arrow rapidly.
In addition to its power, the electricity it generates temporarily paralyzes the opponent.

However, that archery technique that allowed mother to fight with the demon dog Gallam is a technique that could only be accomplished with special arrow feathers and mother’s favorite compound bow. It cannot be used here and now. She must feel so frustrated, especially when Seraphy the Wind Reader is by her side.

「Bradd’s『heart-stopping technique』will also be repelled. I’m not sure about the『Heartless Autumn Leaves』but I don’t think he’s the kind of guy who’d let himself get hit by it without putting up a fight. To break through that guy’s muscle vibrations, a simple heavy and brute force attack would probably work, but that’s ……」