Revenge and Curse
October 3, 2026. Saturday. 18:00.
UCIA Japan Branch Investigation Base
Ground Base. Reception Room.
After a brief rest, we gathered once again. From Public Security, only Tetsuya and Shisei. From the church side, Asagiri-san, along with Hojo-san and Kirimine-san, visited. The latter two are strictly here as Asagiri-san’s and my escorts, and are on standby at the entrance from the perspective of information protection. On the UCIA side, it’s the Chief, Kamikura, Chris, and me. Hayama is not participating in this meeting due to another matter.
A simple large monitor and information terminals were set up in the reception room. Originally, as the name suggests, this is a place to receive guests, but it was decided to use it as a joint operations room for a while.
”――First is an explanation of the damage situation. Due to this attack, two squads of the Ground Base defense forces were annihilated. The result is 16 dead and 4 in critical condition. In addition to that――”
Chris is explaining the damage situation from this time. It seems there were considerable civilian casualties as secondary damage from Astraea Unit 2, which was shot down by the enemy AW. Thanks to information control by VARIS, the public story is that a private company’s large UAV lost control during a night flight test and crashed. Information that a fighter jet was engaging something in the night sky over Tokyo was announced as a hoax, and any videos attempted to be uploaded to cyberspace were completely blocked by VARIS’s powerful information control. No videos or anything related to this incident were seen on the network at all. This was all thanks to Chris sensing the situation quickly and activating VARIS’s Emergency Information Control Mode.
”Although the information control was somewhat successful, if something like this happens two or three more times, we won’t be able to keep it hidden anymore. The fact that the AWs launched such a large-scale attack means there’s a possibility they’ve become quite a large organization. You mentioned Public Security was investigating that point…?”
The Chief said so while looking at Tetsuya.
”There are several organization-like groups that worship or believe in AWs. The largest underground organization among them is the Society of the Black Lily, commonly known as Black Lily. That is what we are currently pursuing.”
”…The Society of the Black Lily?”
I involuntarily asked Tetsuya.
The language of the black lily flower. It is ”revenge” and ”curse”…
”Originally, it seems to have been a university circle with a strong occult flavor that studied black and white magic… In recent years, they have been conducting well-prepared solicitation activities in various places, increasing their numbers. Public Security itself had marked them as a group requiring caution, but the 7th Division also started marking them in the wake of the skeletonization incidents. I hear they hold regular gatherings where they conduct secretive rituals.”
After Tetsuya’s explanation, Shisei opened her mouth.
”Black Lily. I used to investigate them too, but… the members are women with various sufferings and sorrows… The language of the black lily is revenge, and curse. In order to have those wishes granted… they strongly believe in the existence of AWs…”
The weak being pushed into a corner is not limited to Japan. It is happening in countries all over the world. Right now, gender equality and the protection of human rights are touted worldwide, but the fact remains that women’s positions are weak.
They cannot compete with men in physical strength, and numerous power structures are mostly male-dominated. That is the truth.
Their own suffering, sorrow, and anger. If there truly were entities that could pick up on those wishes and grant them power, it makes sense that they would want to rely on them…
”By the way, Shisei-san… how did you acquire the power of an AW?”
I had received a rough explanation before, but hadn’t heard the details. It was something I was secretly curious about.
”Section Chief… May I?”
Shisei’s eyes, one of which was completely hidden by her long hair. She directed her hollow eyes, which were clearly unfocused, at Tetsuya.
”――Very well. Keep it brief.”
Tetsuya said so quietly.
”I had been independently investigating Black Lily for some time… They communicate using a dedicated system, making it difficult to probe their true nature… However, using my high spiritual sensitivity and spirit vision as bait, I succeeded in making contact with one of them…”
Shisei continued.
”Saori Hiyama… she was supposedly a veteran core member of Black Lily. I immediately felt her high spiritual ability… And she told me, ‘If it is you, God will eventually grant your wish’…”
Shisei’s hollow eyes captured me.
”And then, I met her in my dreams… an AW named ‘Magician’…”
Shisei floated a faint smile. As if inviting me to that side. I reflexively averted my gaze…
Tetsuya continued.
”Public Security has conducted undercover investigations into Black Lily several times in the past. However――”
Tetsuya paused for a moment. Then he opened his mouth again.
”One suffered a mental breakdown and later committed suicide in a psychiatric hospital. The other went missing and still hasn’t been found…”
Tetsuya said so. Kamikura questioned Tetsuya.
”I thought undercover investigations were prohibited for the Japanese police, including Public Security. So as expected, that’s only on the surface――is that it?”
”That’s right. Our tailing and surveillance are top-level in the world. We also conduct undercover investigations secretly. Though I ask that you keep this strictly confidential. There are aspects where we’ve built a highly deep cooperative framework with US investigative agencies. They say this country is full of spies, but there are also areas where we intentionally leave our guard down. We already have a general grasp of things.”
Judging by Tetsuya’s tone, it probably isn’t a lie. It isn’t just our home country they have built a cooperative framework with. They must probably be connected with investigative agencies of other countries as well. I heard rumors of Japanese Public Security building their own top-secret network in various places even during my FBI days.
At that moment, a communication from Hayama came into the joint operations room. Hayama’s figure appeared on the large monitor.
”It’s Hayama. I finally managed to extract some information. They hold irregular soirees on nights of the full moon. The next soiree is October 26th. The exact location is still unconfirmed, but it seems there’s an entrance to an underground facility in the south area of Aokigahara in Fuji.”
Hayama had been detaining and interrogating the AWs who survived the engagement. It seems the interrogation was conducted within a special barrier set up by Shisei to prevent the AWs from exercising magic.
”Well done. We need to scrutinize the extracted information and draft a plan. This time, we will launch an assault from our side. I’ll send an operation proposal up the chain immediately.”
After the Chief said so to Hayama, the call ended.
”The UCIA will propose an assault operation on the enemy’s stronghold to our home country. I believe it will be a joint operation with Public Security and the Alsard Church, and in that event, I would definitely like to borrow all of your strength. I expect it will be a large-scale operation mobilizing anti-AW units as well.”
The Chief said so. Tetsuya nodded.
”From Public Security, we plan to have Shisei and Mizuhara participate in the operation. Her power should be useful in anti-AW combat.”
Shisei directed her unfocused eyes at Tetsuya.
”Section Chief… If it comes to it, I will do it without holding back…”
Shisei smiled eerily.
”I don’t care how many you kill once the attack order is given. However, capture the enemy’s high-ranking AWs and core members alive if possible. The AW threat is spreading worldwide. We might obtain information on overseas organizations. It may entail danger, but――would that direction be acceptable?”
The Chief answered.
”If an anti-AW military operation is initiated, it means exercising absolute military force. If we can capture high-ranking AWs alive, there will surely be a lot of information to be gained. Our home country probably wants to do that too, but we will propose the operation fundamentally directed towards annihilation.”
The Chief questioned Asagiri-san, who wore a complex expression.
”Asagiri-sama. The UCIA and Public Security will move towards annihilating the AWs. We will show absolutely no mercy. And your presence will become indispensable in battles against high-ranking AWs. I will ask you again――are you prepared?”
Asagiri-san, who had lowered her gaze slightly, turned her eyes to the Chief.
”High-ranking AWs. If possible――I do not want to take their lives. If you say you want to capture them alive, that is fine too. However, the church will not be involved after they are captured, nor will we take responsibility for them. And the church has only one condition for cooperating in this operation. Leaving full authority regarding Himemiya-san’s protection to the Alsard Church. That is all.”
Asagiri-san’s eyes feel somewhat cold. She probably does not approve of annihilating the AWs. Rather, she does not want to kill her brethren who manipulate the same magic. She must be thinking that.
‘――I do not like unnecessary killing. Even if they are AWs, they are humans. We are no different in our ability to handle magic. I have no intention of sympathizing with them, but just because they are AWs doesn’t mean it’s okay to kill them…’
I recalled Asagiri-san’s words. I honestly have mixed feelings about the annihilation operation as well. But we also suffered numerous casualties here. My own life is in danger too.
I, too, must prepare myself…
”Understood. From here on, we will enter into future discussions with our home country. We should be able to convey an answer regarding Himemiya’s matter by tomorrow. Let us disperse for today.”
With the Chief saying so, the meeting concluded.
As everyone was leaving, Asagiri-san remained seated looking down. In the blink of an eye, it was just Asagiri-san and me in the room.
”Asagiri-san, I’m sorry. Because of my powerlessness, things have come to this…”
I painfully realize my own lack of power to a sickening degree. The enemy’s target is me… My ability is not even close to reaching the feet of high-ranking AWs, but there is a high possibility that even normal class AWs pose a danger to my life. I don’t have high combat ability like the Chief or Kamikura.
I can’t help but feel like I’m just being a burden to everyone. That was the truth…
”No… You are not to blame, Himemiya-san. No flesh-and-blood human could possibly be a match for a high-ranking AW of that level. We have recognized the existence of AWs since long ago, but it is the church, and myself, who have left them be. Rather, the responsibility lies with us…”
Asagiri-san, who had been looking down, turned her face to me sitting next to her.
”Everyone reveres me as the Messiah… But, that is because it is convenient for the church. Because my spiritual power is too high, when difficult cases like this occur, I am mostly entrusted with the role of dealing with them. In the past, when the hands of evil crept up on the church, it was I who dealt with them. Protecting everyone is my duty, but having to strike down those judged as enemies always hurts my heart…”
She has sorrowful eyes. Possessing such immense spiritual power, she must continue to bear the role of striking down enemies. With Asagiri-san’s gentle personality, she cannot refuse to protect her precious people.
And, even if it is to protect them, striking down enemies is tormenting her heart…
I want to lighten the burden on her heart, even just a little…
”I… am not strong enough to protect everyone like you, Asagiri-san. To be honest, I think I’m dead weight. In fact, I’m causing trouble for you and the people of the church like this. But, there are things that only I can do. Believing in that――I am here at the UCIA.”
She stared into my eyes. I continued my words.
”――To the church, Asagiri-san might certainly be a convenient existence. But, starting with everyone in AMGE, Holy Priest Kamijo, and many others, there must be many who truly adore you. Isn’t that purely because everyone treasures you, Asagiri-san? I believe you have protected many people up until now, Asagiri-san, including myself. That is not something just anyone can do. Isn’t it something that was accomplished precisely because it was you, Asagiri-san?”
”Himemiya-san…”
Surely… she is suffering, I think. Revered as the Messiah due to her high spiritual power, eliminating threats against the church… Bearing such a heavy burden.
Her true self is when she behaves calmly and gently as an ordinary woman, like when she is working at Princess Maker. Serving customers with a smile in a shop filled with soft sunlight…
I still clearly remember her smile from that time she bestowed the ring upon me.
”I… am glad I met you, Asagiri-san. That’s not because you’re a trump card against high-ranking AWs. As a single human being, you have a wonderful charm. You have a warm and clear heart.”
I recall the time I first met her. A very uniquely clear and gentle atmosphere. The pearl pink glasses she wears even now suited her very well.
I have met her frequently since the incident, but there is a part of me that looks forward to it. That is a fact.
”Asagiri-san. I truly adore you from the bottom of my heart, Asagiri-san, and――I love you. So, please don’t blame yourself. To me…”
I took a breath and said.
”Because to me, Asagiri-san――you are truly like a savior.”
Saying so, I smiled gently. Seeing that, her expression naturally softened. And her cheeks turned slightly red.
”Himemiya-san. I do not like being called the Messiah, but… if I am your savior, Himemiya-san, then that makes me strangely… happy.”
She said so in a small voice. I reflect on my own statement. It might have been a statement that could cause a slight misunderstanding. But I can’t exactly correct it now.
”――I am a pathetic investigator, but I look forward to working with you from now on. I will make my utmost effort to be able to protect myself, so.”
I bowed and said so to Asagiri-san. She returned my words with a smile.
”――We will also give utmost consideration so as not to hinder your duties, Himemiya-san. When you are active at the base or outside, we plan to assign two girls from AMGE as your escorts as much as possible. They are deployed in a way that they can demonstrate their maximum power by forming a pair. I will also make sure I can move immediately as much as possible.”
Asagiri-san stood up from her chair and bowed.
”I actually want to protect you directly, Himemiya-san, but… tonight, Hojo-san and Kirimine-san will be in charge of guarding you. I don’t think the enemy will make a move for the time being, but… please be careful. And also――”
After a moment’s pause, she said quietly.
”I also… respect you, Himemiya-san. I feel a very strong, and warm wavelength from you. It will guide me, who has lost my memories… I have such a premonition. To me, Himemiya-san, you are――”
Saying that much, Asagiri-san suddenly looked down…
At that moment, along with a knock, the door to the room opened.
”――Excuse me for interrupting your conversation. It’s time for dinner. Everyone is waiting in the cafeteria~”
And so, Asagiri-san and I headed to the cafeteria, called by Chris.