ALL NOVEL chapter 21
Chapter 21: Despair
“Hey, you came, Luna.”
“Christina…”
When I went to the rooftop of the Artemis Group building, the designated meeting place, Christina was there with a lifeless expression.
Christina hadn’t been coming to school recently. It had been quite a while since we last met.
“Long time no see, Luna. How have you been?”
“Well, I’ve been… not so great. You’ve been resting for a while, but are your wounds okay now?”
“There’s no need to worry about that. My wounds have mostly healed.”
“I see… So, why did you call me here?”
—
—
I was scared to talk to Christina any longer, so I urged her to get to the point quickly.
Today’s Christina is somewhat strange. Usually, her words convey kindness, but today, Christina’s words seemed to contain some malice.
“Hehehe, that’s right. That’s true… Luna, you’ve been ignored by everyone lately, haven’t you?”
“!”
It’s as if she can see right through my heart and pinpoint my troubles.
“It’s sad, isn’t it, being ignored by everyone… Maybe I’m the first person you’ve talked to in a while?”
“…So, what about it?”
“Hehehe, what would you do if I told you that I was the one who told everyone to cut off contact with you?”
“What…?”
I was at a loss for words.
No way… why…
“You look like you’re wondering why, so I’ll tell you. Luna, you are currently under suspicion of betrayal.”
I desperately searched for a reason, but I had no idea why I would be suspected of betrayal.
“I told everyone that you had been working with Omega from the beginning and that you were planning something big.”
“That’s impossible!”
“There are good reasons why you are being suspected. First, every time we were attacked, only you were saved by Omega. Second, you defended Omega. Based on these, I judged you to be a traitor.”
“He helped us! It’s only natural to defend someone who saved us!”
“Well, I thought you’d say that. It doesn’t matter to me whether you’re a traitor or not.”
“…What do you mean?”
Christina smiled inappropriately and slowly walked towards me.
“Luna. I’ve always hated you.”
“What…”
Those words pierced deep into my heart.
“Your condescending remarks, the way you look down on people. I hate everything about you.”
Stop…
“I think everyone feels the same way. That’s why they easily followed my words and ignored you.”
“No way…”
Everyone… ignored me…
At that moment, I felt my heart, my spirit, crumble with a sound.
Why… did I become… a magical girl…
—
—
I am gradually losing sight of my purpose as a magical girl.
“Luna, I’ll say it again… disappear from our sight.”
Those words completely shattered my spirit.
Why… am I… living…?
The words “disappear” from my precious comrades made me lose even the reason to live.
Before I knew it, I was unconsciously walking towards the edge of the rooftop.
In contrast to my dark heart, a sparkling night view spread out before me. It was the night view that the magical girls of the past had protected.
It’s… okay now…
If I’m going to be a burden to everyone… I’ll choose death…
Just as I thought that and was about to step off the building, a strong impact hit my back, and I fell towards the shining night view.
“Yes, that’s right, Luna. Thank you for everything.”
I saw Christina’s sadistic smile for the last time.
So… Christina hated me that much…
My heart broke even more at the realization of how much my comrades despised me.
“What…”
But right after that, Christina’s sadistic smile began to cloud over.
“No… that’s not it! Why… Luna!”
For some reason, she reached out her hand towards me.
Why… are you reaching out with that face…? Like a child about to lose a dear friend…
Just as I was about to close my eyes and leave everything behind, his words flashed through my mind.
‘Don’t die.’
Omega… I’m sorry…!
As tears overflowed from my eyes, a voice echoed from somewhere.
“You are not finished yet.”
At that moment, my falling body was embraced by something, and I floated gently in the air.
“Ah…”
“You’re light, like an angel’s feather.”
Though hidden by a mask, I could tell he was smiling gently.
“Omega…!”
Impulsively, I hugged Omega.
—
—
Omega gently patted my back to calm me down.
“I never thought you would save her from falling… Well done.”
“…You are Seleck, one of the Seven Demon Emperors.”
“I’m honored that you know of me… I never thought Omega would recognize me.”
This man is one of the Seven Demon Emperors…!
With his ominous horns and dragon-like wings sprouting from his back, I felt a power from him incomparable to any demon I’ve fought before.
“Even so… Christina, your performance was splendid. You have a talent for acting.”
“Ah… Ah…”
“Well, you didn’t fulfill your mission to crush Luna the Ice Princess, but you did well.”
Could it be that Christina was manipulated by him…!
Immediately after, Seleck raised his hand towards the sky, and the sky began to turn a dark red.
“Now, shall we begin… the Great Calamity?”