The Lost Messiah
“So you’ve finally shown your true colors… Officer Mizuhara…”
Mizuhara was enveloped in a red and black aura. Her eyes shone with an eerie, dark-red light. Wearing a fearless smile, she distanced herself from us. Soon, her body floated slightly in the air, and her voice echoed directly inside our heads.
“I won’t forgive anyone who gets in our way! Die! You traitors!”
Floating slightly in the air, Mizuhara thrust out her hand and unleashed a fireball at Shisei with tremendous speed. However, a red forward defense barrier (Shield) appeared right in front of Shisei, completely nullifying the fireball.
“What is this… Are you trying to light a cigarette? It seems you didn’t quite understand my teachings…”
Shisei said this and began to laugh eerily.
“Come to think of it… I haven’t shown you this magic trick yet.”
It was the moment Shisei finished her sentence. With a sound like an explosion, Mizuhara’s right arm was blown off from its base. The severed right arm erupted in fierce flames, instantly burning to a crisp black…
“Aaaaaaargh!”
Perhaps due to the agonizing pain of having her right arm blown off, Mizuhara fell to the ground, writhing in agony.
Shisei’s attack was completely invisible… She didn’t even show any motion of casting magic. If I had to describe it, it felt as though she had blown off her opponent’s right arm the very instant she willed it.
Everyone stood utterly dumbfounded by that astonishing power…
“It’s quite unbalanced… having only the right arm burned off…”
Shisei let out an eerie laugh. Smiling, she looked as if she were amusedly toying with the maimed Mizuhara. Her expression was entirely that of a severe thrill-killer.
“Next is—your left leg!”
“S-stop—”
Before her plea for life could even finish, Mizuhara’s left leg blew off with the sound of another explosion…
Completely missing her right arm and left leg, Mizuhara writhed on the ground… The severed base of her left leg was severely mangled and engulfed in intense flames…
Mizuhara seemed to have completely lost her will to fight. Overwhelmed by the absolute difference in power and the sheer agony, she could only scream. Her right arm and left leg blown off, her body covered in terrible burns and blood. She was already at death’s door…
“Shisei isn’t—shooting fireballs… She’s causing invisible explosions of condensed magic. How on earth is she doing that…?”
Adjusting her glasses, Hojo-san muttered…
Invisible explosions of condensed magic… If that was true, it certainly explained how she had instantaneously blown off the right arm and left leg without any visible attack motion.
Before long, Mizuhara’s faint twitching stopped… The wounds were likely so fatal that she could no longer move.
“You’re the one who leaked the information about the UCIA investigation base. The way Shisei looked at you… it was clearly the look of someone probing for something. I had been suspicious of you from the start, too. The investigation base (Ground Base) was attacked the day after Public Security Section 7 came to the base, after all.”
Then, Kamikura fired several shots from his readied handgun. With that, Mizuhara stopped moving completely.
“Alpha Team, restrain Mizuhara and transport her to Yokota Base. I shot her with powerful tranquilizer rounds. She shouldn’t wake up for a while. We can’t have her dying on us, so apply first aid to her wounds.”
Under Kamikura’s orders, members of the Alpha Team picked up the fallen Mizuhara.
At that moment, the faces of the three people in the operation command room appeared on the visor screen.
<This is the operation command room. Is everyone safe!?>
The Director’s loud voice came through.
“We lost one member of the Alpha Team, but both Alpha and Charlie, who infiltrated the underground facility, have successfully escaped. This entire incident was completely an enemy trap. The women brought here were transformed into monsters—perhaps something was mixed into their food and water—and attacked us.”
Kamikura reported the situation. Then, Shisei spoke up.
“Chief… I have successfully captured the mischievous little kitten…”
<Shisei—well done. Mizuhara is scheduled to be interrogated at the UCIA after this. I want you to bring her back safely.>
Tetsuya’s voice replied.
“Please rest assured. I ‘designed’ her a little in my own way, but I used heat sterilization to keep the bleeding to a minimum… Her life is—not in danger.”
Shisei wore a smirking smile… Her power was genuine, but combined with her personality, she felt terribly frightening. She was our ally for now, but with her power, she could easily annihilate everyone present here…
What on earth was the reason she was cooperating with Tetsuya? From the looks of it, she didn’t seem to be forced into cooperating…
(!?)
The moment I thought that, Shisei’s suspicious eyes locked onto me. Smiling eerily, it was as if she were reading my thoughts.
I reflexively averted my gaze…
<Asami, and Kamikura, I’m glad you’re both safe. Bravo Team has secured the extraction point. I’ve sent the helicopters, so return to base immediately.>
“So Bravo’s radio was just acting up… Understood. We are now evacuating the operation area.”
Leaving the cave, we headed toward the extraction point, C-65.
October 26, 2026. Sunday. 27:51.
(2 hours and 51 minutes since the start of the operation)
Fuji Aokigahara Sea of Trees. South Area C-65.
We regrouped with Bravo Team in an open meadow, our extraction point. The time was already approaching 4:00 AM. Perhaps because there was still time before dawn, the temperature was low; the blowing wind was freezing, and it was cold.
“Captain Kamikura. Your command during this operation—it was magnificent. My name is Hicks. Let me offer my thanks.”
The leader of the Alpha Team took off his helmet and offered Kamikura a handshake. The man, calling himself Hicks, looked to be in his early thirties. He had short, cropped blond hair and a ruggedly strong face, yet his features were somehow sweet.
“—Alpha Team, you were magnificent. Your proficiency is high. It’s frustrating that we suffered one casualty, but… let me offer my thanks as well.”
Kamikura also removed his helmet and shook hands with Hicks.
“Former Captain of the NS (Night Strikers). I’d heard some bad rumors, but fighting alongside you like this, it seems rumors are just rumors. We might conduct joint operations again in the future. When that time comes—I’ll be counting on you.”
Hicks smiled slightly. Then, the rotating sound of what seemed to be a V-TOL aircraft’s rotors could be heard from the distance. Before we knew it, the extraction helicopters were almost upon us. Listening closely, they were remarkably quiet. They were likely a stealth type designed for special forces.
(!?)
“—Watch out! Everyone, run!”
It happened suddenly. I screamed so loudly it surprised even myself. The moment I felt something, I shouted without even thinking.
A sound like a tremendous explosion echoed through the area. It seemed the shockwave was about to hit us, but when I opened my eyes, a powerful omnidirectional defense barrier (Barrier) had been deployed around us.
“—Made it.”
Reacting instantly to my scream, Shisei and Hojo-san had deployed the omnidirectional defense barrier. Shaped like a dome, it was a double defense barrier—pale blue on the inside and red on the outside. Perhaps because the respective barriers were slightly interfering with each other, lightning-like red and blue light crackled in places.
“That was a spur-of-the-moment collaboration… but that power is truly interesting…”
Shisei said this while looking at Hojo-san from the corner of her eye. she glanced at Shisei for a brief moment, but immediately fixed her gaze on that floating in the sky above.
“Greetings.”
A voice echoing directly inside my head… However, unlike Judgment or Death, it wasn’t a noise-laced voice where you couldn’t tell the gender. It was clearly a woman’s voice. It was slightly low, yet gave off a chilling sensation. The owner of the voice was clad in a black, gothic-style long dress, looking down at us gracefully.
“It’s been a while… Saori Hiyama.”
Shisei muttered. Kamikura and the WF (Wolf Fang) squad members aimed their guns at the figure floating in the air. Though not as much as Judgment, I could feel a considerable amount of pressure from this AW as well. It might be on par with Death (Death).
Saori Hiyama. The veteran core member of the “Black Lily” organization that Shisei had spoken of. She had a slender build, but judging from this appearance, she was already an AW. Like Shisei, had she been granted power by the AW known as “Magician”…?
I, too, readied my handgun and aimed at the figure floating in the air.
“It’s been a long time, Fool. Like you, I have been granted a magnificent name…”
Saying this, Hiyama, floating in the air, raised her left hand to the sky. In that instant, a jet-black longsword appeared alongside a dark-red light. Slowly admiring it as if it were a work of art, Hiyama readied the longsword with one hand. Its sharp blade was pointed toward us.
“My name is Moon. The one who illuminates this wicked world with a mystic light. Fool. I will now purge you for your betrayal.”
“…Interesting. From the looks of it, it seems you’ve walked a different path from mine. The true power of magic—let me teach it to you.”
As Shisei said this, her body floated up to the same height as Hiyama. Shisei was also an AW granted the name of a Major Arcana. This would probably turn into a terrifying battle.
“It’s dangerous! Everyone, over here!”
Hojo-san guided everyone. Under these circumstances, the extraction helicopters couldn’t land. It was fortunate they hadn’t been shot down by the previous attack, but the situation was highly dangerous. she seemed to be sharpening her nerves, ready to deploy the omnidirectional defense barrier at any moment. Kirimine-san also readied her longsword as if to protect her.
“Enemy AWs have appeared! Extraction helos, evacuate the operation area immediately! We’re switching to Operation Plan C!”
It was the moment Kamikura issued that command. A sudden, intense sense of wrongness, as if space itself was warping—and simultaneously, a powerful gravitational wave. A suffocating feeling that tightened my chest assaulted me.
There was no mistaking it. This paralyzing pressure was…
“Moon—withdraw your sword. You are in the presence of the great Judgment.”
That voice echoed directly inside my head. And as the floating Moon sheathed her sword, she gracefully floated and positioned herself beside that which had just appeared.
“—Judgment. And even Death…”
Floating in the pre-dawn sky were three AWs. Judgment, Death, and Moon…
This is a critical situation… Judgment alone possesses immense power, and on top of that, there is Death, and the newly appeared Moon. We don’t have the power to take on three high-ranking AWs at once. Shisei’s power is formidable, but even so, breaking through this situation feels impossible…
The only person who can break through this situation. That is…
“It has been a while, Fool. It seems you have been imprisoned in a cage for a long time…”
The one who spoke was Judgment. I knew her voice instinctively. A voice filled with enough majesty to make others tremble. Yet, a mysterious voice that somehow felt calming. Although it was laced with noise, having heard it before, I recognized it.
“Being a captive—that’s quite a rare experience, you know. I was able to spend my time relaxing… Judgment.”
Saying so, Shisei wore a fearless smile.
“Fool. To address Lord Judgment without an honorific—who do you think you are?”
Judgment was clad in a dark-red robe, appearing like black particles just as she did back then. Floating to her left was Death, clad in a black robe. That last remark was likely from Death.
“Oh… It seems you’ve increased your power since before. Even among the Arcana, your growth is remarkable. I think I understand why Judgment favors you…”
Shisei spoke with a smirking smile. “Arcana”—does that refer to the AWs granted the names of the Major Arcana, whom we call high-ranking AWs? Judging from the way she spoke, it seemed Shisei was acquainted with both Death and Moon in the past.
“Now then, this is not the time to enjoy a reunion with the Fool. I came here to converse with her. It also serves as our greeting.”
Judgment’s voice echoed in my head. Likely, their voices were echoing directly inside everyone’s heads…
Then, the black particles swirling inside the dark-red robe transformed entirely into a human shape.
(The Judgment… I saw back then…)
Judgment removed the hood of her dark-red robe.
Her beautiful blonde hair fluttering in the wind, her beautiful and perfectly proportioned facial features, resembling a shrine maiden, radiated an almost sacred aura…
Her translucent, aqua-blue eyes stared at me.
“I’m glad to see you looking well—Asami Himemiya. The radiance of your soul has increased even more than before.”
The noise-like quality completely vanished from Judgment’s voice. It was a calm voice. It gave the impression of a pleasant, gentle breeze.
I must not be deceived by this comfort. Judgment’s target is me.
“—Bringing along two of your subordinates, what business do you have with me? I believe I already rejected your invitation!”
I gripped my handgun with both hands and pointed the muzzle at Judgment as I said this. I knew perfectly well that live ammunition was completely ineffective against Judgment. But I couldn’t help but point it at her. Kamikura, and the members of Alpha and Bravo teams, also had their guns aimed at them.
“My, my—how aggressive. Allow me to apologize for the attack unleashed by Moon.”
It was Death, clad in a black robe and swirling with jet-black particles, who spoke. As the particles evaporated and disappeared, she too removed her hood.
“Despite how she looks—she has quite a short temper.”
Japanese… Just like Moon who had exposed her true face, Death was also Japanese. Was she around twenty years old? She looked quite young. A slightly timid-sounding voice. And facial features that still retained a hint of innocence. Her long, red hair fluttered in the wind.
It was hard to believe this was the same AW that had attacked our UCIA base…
“Death. And Moon—I also have a subordinate named Magician, but unfortunately, she is quite busy… First, allow me to apologize for attacking the UCIA base. That was something Death did of her own volition. It seems she wanted to bring Asami to me—no matter what it took.”
Judgment began speaking in a slow tone. Own volition—what did that mean?
“For that to be the case, it was quite a large-scale attack, wasn’t it? Weren’t you the one giving orders from the shadows?”
That attack caused numerous casualties. Even if it was her own volition, there was no reason to forgive it. I glared at Judgment.
“We do not operate under strict command. Those to whom I have granted names and acknowledged are allowed to move freely. Our shared ideology is to pass judgment upon the weak and foolish, and to create a rightful, new world.”
Saying so, Judgment smiled. And she continued her words.
“In that sense, we are no different from you. The desire to revere peace is the same for us as well. However—our perspective and methods differ.”
Judgment’s eyes became slightly sharp.
“I came here today for two purposes. First—to explain the plan we are about to carry out.”
Judgment’s tone of voice dropped, and her eyes, turning cold, stared straight at me.
“From now on, in order to save this world that has reached its limit, we will undertake a fundamental resolution of the problem. If you’re as perceptive as you are, Asami, you probably already have an idea of what we’re going to do—don’t you?”
A fundamental resolution to the problem of a world that has reached its limit… I hardly wanted to believe it, but what they were trying to do was…
“—Don’t tell me you’re plotting a global population reduction…?”
The fundamental cause of various problems. I believed it was the fact that humanity had overgrown on this Earth. Food crises, poverty, immigration issues, environmental problems—the root cause of all these lay in overpopulation. That’s what I thought.
Humans, becoming prosperous and overpopulating, would eventually begin to fight…
That is—the history of humanity.
“Exactly. It helps that you are quick to understand. We will now drastically reduce the overgrown global population. In order to regenerate this world, first—many sacrifices are necessary.”
“Many sacrifices? What are you planning to do! What you’re trying to do is no different from cowardly terrorists!”
Regardless of the reason, taking the lives of innocent people is unforgivable. AWs are beginning to spread across the globe. Could they really be trying to cause—simultaneous global terrorism? If they were to act all at once, there would be no way to handle it. Massive global chaos would be inevitable.
“As for what will happen from here on—that will naturally become apparent. No one can stop it anymore. Along with countless sacrifices, a new path of regeneration will open, and on this earth—a new kingdom will be built.”
Judgment said this and spread her arms wide. As if welcoming us in.
“At that time—we will be the new rulers. Asami Himemiya, and Ayuka Hojo. The two of you possess the qualifications and the aptitude for it. Especially Asami. You are suited to be the one who presides over the laws of the new world. With the endless pure radiance of your strong heart, your righteousness, and your kindness, you can achieve this. Come to my side, and I shall bestow upon you a new name and all knowledge.”
Judgment smiled and whispered this to me. No. Judgment’s objective was some kind of power residing within me. I couldn’t let them use it.
“I believe I already declined your invitation! I have precious comrades! And people I want to protect! No matter the reason, sacrificing countless innocent people to build a new world—I will never forgive that!”
I declared it forcefully. As if to cancel out the weak heart within myself.
It’s strange. Why do her words seep into my heart like this…?
At that moment, Hojo-san, who was behind me, stepped forward just like I did.
“I am one who has pledged loyalty to Goddess Alsard. We must forgive all, and we must save all. I have no intention of accepting your offer!”
She declared it powerfully. She pointed her cross at Judgment, giving her a sharp glare.
However, seeing her like that, Judgment wore a fearless smile.
“Ayuka Hojo… Selected for AMGE at the youngest age, a prodigy possessing spiritual power that stands head and shoulders above the rest. And just like you, there was once an exorcist in AMGE who possessed tremendous spiritual power and excelled in swordsmanship—the strongest exorcist. Her name is—I’m sure you all know it.”
At Judgment’s words, the expressions of the two turned grim…
“She said the exact same things as you. Pledging loyalty to Goddess Alsard, forgiving all, saving all. However, after learning the truth of Alsard, what do you think happened to her?”
Judgment, as well as Death and Moon, wore faint smiles. Oh no. Hojo and Kirimine, the two of them were clearly visibly shaken.
“Hojo-san! And Kirimine-san, you mustn’t take Judgment’s words seriously! Judgment easily slips into her opponent’s mind!”
Saying that to the two of them, I fired a warning shot at the ground below where Judgment was floating. The gunshot echoed, and I felt as though the expressions of the two returned to normal.
“Very well. You will come to know it eventually. And Asami. We are waiting for you. Bring Hojo—and come to me.”
Judgment’s words. And from the mountains in the distance, the sunlight began to rise. As if emitting a halo, the three AWs were illuminated by the morning glow.
“Now—let me tell you the other reason I came. It is to bring down the hammer of judgment upon the Wizard Killer and you fools. I’m not so free as to come just for that, but the timing was perfect. The crime of killing countless of our brethren. Today, you shall pay for it!”
“I’m not—soft enough to be easily killed by the likes of you!”
Kamikura reacted to Judgment’s words.
Instantly, an immense pressure released from the enemies threatened to crush my mind and body. This is bad! Judgment changed into a form of black particles, and Death also pulled her hood up, swirling with jet-black particles. Those particles themselves were likely a spiritual constantly deployed defense barrier (Force Field). Changing her voice quality as well, an AW at Judgment’s level could probably turn the caster herself into black particles to conceal her true identity.Considering that, Death’s ability was close to Judgment’s.
“Goddess of Light, Alsard! Grant us your divine protection! Light of heaven and fire of mercy, let the voice of prayer echo!”
Holding her cross up to the sky, Hojo-san cast her divine protection upon us. As we were enveloped in a pale blue aura of light, power and vitality surged through me. My body felt as light as if it had sprouted wings.
And then—I knew it! The existence of the natural particles (Mana) drifting in the air, I could clearly perceive their colors!
Every time I received her protection, the effects seemed to grow stronger. I didn’t know if it was because my spiritual sensitivity was heightening, or if my unconscious faith in Alsard was causing it.
However, something was definitely awakening within me. I could genuinely feel it.
“Now—prepare yourselves!”
From Judgment’s right hand, a large, shining silver spear appeared along with a brilliant light. At the same time, Death summoned a dark-red glowing large scythe, and Moon summoned her longsword. This is it. Instantly, perhaps out of terror, it felt like sweat burst out all over my body.
It was then. The area right in front of us was illuminated by a blinding light.
A very warm light… In the midst of a sacred wind that seemed to heal the entire body, she appeared.
“So you did appear—Messiah of Alsard.”
Right before our eyes, Asagiri-san appeared, clad in a vivid clerical robe. Floating up to the same height as Judgment, she raised her right hand to the heavens, and a blinding light burst forth accompanied by a high-pitched sound.
In her hand was a holy staff shining in silver. Pointing it at Judgment, she spoke.
“—Judgment. No matter what the reason, your actions are unforgivable. And I will not hand over Himemiya-san or Hojo-san to you. I don’t want to lose—anyone else.”
From her voice, I could feel her strong emotions. Anger… No, is it determination…?
As I thought, judging from her words…
“Messiah of Alsard. With such power, why do you turn a blind eye to the truth…? They are merely using your immense power. ‘We must change. We must forgive. We must save. Blessings of Goddess of Light, Alsard. Let all lives shine.’ You, of all people, should understand the meaning of these words, shouldn’t you—?”
Judgment pointed her long spear at her and asked.
“—I am the Messiah of Alsard. Even if it is fleeting, I want to protect them. I want to help the weak. There is not a single cloud of doubt in that feeling. And beyond that—is the place I must reach.”
Saying this, she raised her holy staff to the heavens. As if the light of the morning glow was gathering into the staff, a sphere of light grew larger, condensing a terrifying amount of energy. The accumulation was such that it seemed to absorb even the clouds overhead, leaving us utterly astounded.
“Death! Moon! Teleport as far away as possible, right now! You will definitely be blown away as you are now! It will even pierce through the phase dimensions!”
Judgment shouted. Death and Moon attempted to retreat, but something seemed wrong.
“—I won’t let you escape. I have already spiritually seized one of you. You won’t be able to teleport, nor properly deploy your defense barriers.”
Her cold words echoed in my head. I felt an overwhelming terror that seemed to freeze my heart…
This was her absolute power…
“To be able to wield that much power—just who in the world are you!”
Judgment was furious. Along with that, the noise in her voice worsened. There was no doubt. Judgment had completely misjudged her power. She had probably assumed that the three of them could handle her. But in reality, even the three of them stood no chance at all. Her power was—just that extraordinary.
“It is the least I can do out of mercy. You will not suffer. In an instant, you will burn away in the light of heaven. The natural particles (Mana) overflowing in this vast nature. The energy they produce is immense. I pray that you—do not repeat the same mistakes in your next life.”
And then, the energy gathered in the holy staff transformed into a perfect, brilliantly shining, massive sphere.
She swung it down toward Judgment and the others.
A tremendous roar echoed throughout the area. A blinding light that made it impossible to keep our eyes open enveloped everything. The shockwave was so immense that it felt like our bodies would be blown away. Hojo-san and Shisei deployed an omnidirectional defense barrier (Barrier) and barely managed to block the aftereffects. If it weren’t for that, I could easily imagine that we wouldn’t have escaped unscathed either.
Eventually, the sound and the shockwave ceased…
And the sight we beheld was… something unexpected…
“No way…”
The one who uttered those words was Asagiri. As if doubting the sight before her, she instinctively distanced herself from that which had appeared in front of her.
Judgment and Death—and Moon. Suddenly appearing right in front of them was an AW holding a silver shining large scythe. Emitting a divine yet sinister absolute aura, the entity was clad in a pure white robe. The white particles writhing within the robe were just like Judgment’s, but…
This AW… Could it be… have I seen it somewhere before…?
At that moment, Judgment, along with Death and Moon, vanished from the spot with a dark-red light, perhaps teleporting somewhere else.
“……”
The AW holding the silver large scythe seemed to be staring straight at her. Then, closing the distance in a fraction of a second, it grabbed her head with its left hand.
“Aaaaaaaargh!”
“—Asagiri-san!”
Along with a light resembling a pale blue electric current, her scream echoed around us. Faced with the mysterious AW, we were completely paralyzed… It was a strange sensation, as if my whole body were suffering from sleep paralysis, unable to move. Despite shouting desperately, I couldn’t stop its actions.
Eventually, the light resembling the pale blue electric current stopped… The AW gently caught her, who had likely completely lost consciousness, and softly laid her down right in front of us.
“……”
And then, it vanished. It disappeared as if blending into the scenery…
Most likely, that mysterious AW had completely blocked Asagiri’s attack…
And then, plunging into the guard of the dumbfounded Asagiri, it unleashed an enigmatic attack…
(What just happened… And that AW is…)
All that was left was Asagiri, lying unconscious, and us. Before long, the sound of rotors, seemingly from the extraction helicopters, could be heard…
Alpha and Bravo teams waved their hands, immediately guiding the helicopters. Soon, two extraction helicopters landed. We carried the unconscious Asagiri-san into a helicopter. Then, the members of Alpha and Bravo teams also boarded one after another.
“……”
I looked at Kamikura out of the corner of my eye. He had taken off his helmet… and showed an exhausted expression.
This operation was beyond imagination. Suffering only one casualty was nothing short of a miracle. However…
Kamikura kept his eyes cast down on the ground. I called out to him.
“Kamikura, let’s head back to the base. The operation isn’t over—until we safely return.”
“—Yeah.”
Giving a curt reply, Kamikura walked alone toward the helicopter.
(Kamikura…)
Watching his back, we boarded the helicopter.
Thus, the current operation, Operation Lightbringer, came to an end. It was past 7:00 when we returned to Yokota Base. Hojo-san and Kirimine-san looked utterly exhausted, but their expressions seemed somehow conflicted.
Various questions surfacing in my mind…
Carrying them with me, I returned to Yokota, and then headed back to the investigation base (Ground Base)…