Chapter 4 Gjallarhorn 1 It was almost translucent, with just a faint bit of color to indicate life as it moved. It was clad in a pale-green light. A tree of life that numbed the hearts of those who saw it. It was like a gentle illusion that warmed the heart and resembled a sapling beginning to sprout. Or at least it would have been, were it not for the fact that it was growing out from the center of Natalie Chase’s chest. She was lying in a bed in the infirmary of Holm base with her top opened. Everyone in the room gasped when they saw the plant protruding from her skin. “…How rude. You shouldn’t stare so openly at a pure maiden’s skin.” “Natalie…” Natalie smiled weakly as she closed her top. But there was no one there who could laugh at her joke. They were unable to hide their shock and gloomy expressions—there were just two exceptions to this. One was Shirin, who had revealed Natalie’s secret with her mind reading. And the other was— “How is your condition, Chase? Has there been any change from before you went on the mission?” It was Alejandro who asked that question. Only a look of quiet observation appeared on his handsome face. There was no sense of surprise at all. Natalie shook her head. “No, fortunately I haven’t noticed any overt changes. But I don’t believe I’ll be able to exert myself like before.” “…I see… In that case, like we promised, this is it.” “—Yes, sir.” Natalie nodded, averting her eyes as her long eyelashes drooped. Alejandro accepted it naturally. But they were the only two who understood what was going on. Everyone else, Rusalka included, was entirely lost by their exchange. “Could you please explain yourselves? Colonel, Natalie…what are you talking about?!” “Nothing of any importance, Major. I had merely reported it to Colonel Ostley before. That as the process progressed, there would come a point where I would be unable to fly.” “What do you mean…? Before…?” Alma’s lips trembled as she knelt next to Natalie’s bed. She was normally expressionless, never really showing the highs or the lows of her moods, but it was clear how pale she was right now, even with her swarthy skin. “I-it’s not because of this mission…?” “No, it’s not. This plant started growing during our first encounter with Mistletoe.” “B-but that was more than two months ago! You’re saying…” Lisbeth could not hide her shock at Natalie’s stunning confession. But hearing that, there was someone for whom it all clicked—Natalie’s wingmate ever since her first mission, Shannon Stewart. “So…you really were hiding something… That’s so cold, Natalie…” “I’m sorry… When it first appeared, I never told anyone other than the commander and the physician.” “Why…?” Alma’s voice was quivering as she clung to Natalie on the bed. It was the first time Natalie had seen Alma so emotional, leaving her motionless with surprise for a short while before she started gently patting Alma’s head. “I never would have expected you to react like that for me.” “Ugh, kh…” “…Alma’s not the only one. It feels like I just had a hole ripped out of my heart.” Rusalka shook her head as Natalie kept a smile even while consumed by such a cruel situation. There was something familiar about her expression and the look in her eyes. That was the gaze of someone who had made her peace with her fate. Why hadn’t she noticed it sooner? It was impossible to not notice how similar her eyes were to Amy’s, the object of Rusalka’s greatest regret. “—Don’t blame Natalie. I was the one who ordered her to keep it quiet.” “—!” The Valkyries turned around at the sudden interruption from a sweet, high-pitched voice. Though there was no indication the door had been opened, standing at the entrance of the room with his back against the wall and his arms folded was a boy—the unmistakable figure of God. “Lord Odin…” “That kid…?” Claudia and Shirin gasped at Odin’s sudden appearance. They were not Valkyries, or even members of the military, so it should have been their first time seeing a real god in person. It was only natural they would be surprised. But no one had the wherewithal to worry about their reactions at the moment. “What do you mean you ordered Natalie to keep quiet, Odin?” Rusalka demanded. “…There is no saving those infected by Mistletoe. Even if it touches the most beloved incarnation of light in this world. From the moment that Natalie was afflicted, there was no salvation possible for her. My blessing has slowed the progression. But it cannot stop it, nor can it excise it. I could not just abandon my child to such unease and fear. And…” “I couldn’t bear to make the major and everyone else suffer… No…” Natalie picked up from Odin, but partway through, she shook her head. Her gentle eyes turned to Alma, who was clinging to her. “That’s not it. I was scared of this moment that’s happening right now.” She had been terrified of hurting her comrades when they finally found out about her fate. And she was afraid of seeing the grief in their eyes. Rusalka could understand that. If her fate was decided, she wouldn’t want to cry or have others crying for her for months until her time came. “—I’m aware I’m an outsider, but may I ask a question?” As grief spread, Claudia fearlessly raised her hand slightly. Her gaze turned to Odin, who was standing at the door. The immature-looking god’s eye narrowed. “What is it?” “I do not have much knowledge, so this might be misdirected, but…” “Speak. I’ll hear my child out to the end, whatever she might have to say.” “—? I’m not your child, but…this transformation, was it? Would it not clear up even if the pillar that was the source of it was defeated?” Rusalka caught her breath at that question. Alma and the others all had shocked looks on their faces. If they defeated the calamitous Mistletoe, the source of the ability that had changed so many people and was even now changing Natalie— “It would be difficult is all I can say.” However, Odin’s response was heartless, refusing to grant even an inch to the small bud of hope that had sprung up. As everyone turned their gaze to him to ask why, Odin sighed slightly. “I have seen with my own eye those who have been transformed into trees. They were reconstituted into different beings at a fundamental level by Mistletoe’s power. They are already a piece of the world tree. That fact cannot be changed by killing the being that transformed them.” There was frustration and disappointment at God’s confirmation of where things stood. Rusalka had heard the IPO was still preserving those trees that might have been transformed humans just in case there was any chance they could ever be restored. So for that possibility to be rejected outright was— “—You said those who have been transformed… Are you sure about that?” “…Sir?” Rusalka arched her brow at Alejandro’s stiff response. There was a serious gleam in his blue eyes as he looked to the god. Odin nodded. “…I cannot be sure. My eyes are not omniscient, much to my chagrin.” “But still, there’s a big difference between no chance and some chance.” Alejandro clenched his fist at Odin’s response. Meanwhile Lisbeth looked anxious as she watched their exchange. “What?! Quit acting like you’ve got it all figured out! What are you talking about?!” “It might be possible to save Chase if we defeat Mistletoe.” Everyone gulped at that response. In the silence that followed, the desire to hear more outweighed both the confusion and the shock many of them felt. But not merely because they had their hopes up now. It was because it was Alejandro saying it. The miracle maker who stood at the front lines of humanity’s war himself. If he said there was a chance, it might just be the one ploy that could overcome the depths of despair and transform it into victory. Hounded by anticipatory gazes, Alejandro resolutely crossed his arms. “When someone has been transformed by Mistletoe’s attack, there is no changing them back. That’s because they’ve become something entirely different. But what about Chase? She’s still herself.” “Ah…” Alejandro continued, saying, “Her situation is an anomaly caused by Odin’s blessing counteracting Mistletoe’s ability. In which case, it might be possible to change her fate.” “Only Natalie can…” A heat ignited deep in Rusalka’s chest when she heard Alejandro’s theory. Her blood started to boil at the thought it might be possible to save Natalie. Even knowing that it wouldn’t help any of the multitude of other victims, it meant there was at least a chance of saving her comrade. “Natalie, that means… Ngh.” “I deeply appreciate the thought, sir, but…” Alma was looking at Natalie with wide eyes as the seed of hope sprouted. But before she could finish, Natalie had put her finger to Alma’s lips, not letting her finish. She was calm as she slowly shook her head. “Please don’t get everyone’s hopes up over nothing. I was able to keep fighting through today thanks to Lord Odin’s blessing. That’s quite enough for me.” “Wh-why…? You can’t be sure yet…” “I already know how this ends. How exactly are we going to find Mistletoe? We still don’t know what triggers its appearance. It’s a pipe dream… No one can do that.” Natalie tried to end the conversation, not wanting to prolong everyone’s suffering even though it was her life that was at the heart of this debate. It was a clean conclusion that was brought about by her unwavering virtue. —But if humanity could just accept such a high-minded decision, they would have been destroyed long ago. Alejandro had said it already. If they defeated Mistletoe, there was a chance of saving Natalie. Meanwhile, as Natalie said, without a means of finding Mistletoe, the idea of defeating it was a pipe dream. So— “—You sisters are capable of summoning pillars.” Rusalka turned to look at Claudia and Shirin. Those who had not been on the mission were naturally taken aback by Rusalka’s statement. But Lisbeth, who had been on the mission, also gasped in shock. Attention turned to the girls as the elder sister stepped forward to shield her sister. “Yes. That is true. The pillars have been chasing after Shiri and myself.” “And Shirin has the ability to sense the approach of pillars… Is this why you had us protect these two, Lord Odin?” When Claudia did not hesitate to confirm her statement, Rusalka turned her gaze to Odin. The god shrugged. “Do not misunderstand. The true reason was because of the great value that sensing the appearance of pillars would provide. But if at all possible, I would want the chance to save my beloved daughter from her encroaching affliction.” “You are a far more compassionate deity than I thought.” “Well now, I’m not sure if I should be upset or pleased by your revelation.” Odin smiled slightly at Rusalka’s appraisal. However— “Please don’t go talking about other people like they don’t exist just because they happened to stay quiet for a little while.” —a young girl’s sullen voice resounded through the room, interrupting Rusalka and Odin’s exchange. It was Shirin, who was hiding behind Claudia’s back. She was still hiding as her cute face twisted into a mask of disgust. “It’s true that the pillars are drawn to us. But do I really have to explain to you that we’re not exactly fans of that fact? I would have hoped you could understand that much without me having to explain it.” “I apologize for my inconsideration in discussing this. Even though I knew that you were hiding in the woods to avoid causing problems for the people around you—” “That’s not it. Argh, that’s not it at all. Don’t get the wrong idea.” “Wrong idea?” Shirin continued her emotional rejection when Rusalka tried to soothe her. Rusalka didn’t get what Shirin was claiming that she misunderstood. And seeing that she still didn’t comprehend even slightly, Shirin covered her face with her hand. “I wasn’t avoiding people to not cause them any problems. It’s because of how they looked at us when problems did happen. I would collapse, and Sister would be leaping all over to protect me…and when it was all done, how do you think they felt about us? I could hear it all!” “” “‘Creepy.’ ‘Is this their fault?’ ‘Scary, scary, scary.’ ‘Why did this happen?’ ‘Why me and not someone else?’ ‘She ran across the roofs carrying her sister.’ ‘She’s not human.’ ‘They’re monsters.’—I’m sick of it all!” Lowering her arm, Shirin screamed, her breathing ragged. Knowing about her ability—her mind reading—Rusalka’s heart hurt as Shirin exposed her harrowing experience. Shirin could hear it all: people’s goodwill and their malice, their doubts and hatred and blame-shifting and everything else. That was why they had kept running away. And yet— “—Those eyes, too, Major. I don’t need your pity.” “Shirin…” “As long as I have my sister, I don’t need anything else. She doesn’t hide anything. The voice in her heart is the only thing that can soothe me. So please, Sister…” She clung to Claudia’s back, pleading with her older sister. The gifts one was born with did not always bring happiness. Shirin was a perfect example of that. She had been forced to give up a great deal in exchange for being special. And there was no way her sister, who had always been by her side, didn’t know about her distress. So having heard that pained plea, Claudia would surely reject the hope that they had been clinging to— “—Even so, I still want to help them, Shiri.” But Claudia’s response was resolute even as her sister pleaded with her. “Sister…” There was a disagreement between the sisters as the older one looked at her younger sister with an intent gaze. Claudia stood straight, looking Shirin in the eyes as she tried to make herself smaller. “Father… If we want to honor Father’s wishes, then I should take you away from here. I’ve always been at your side, watching you suffer from others’ heartless words. That’s why…” “Then just run away together with me, Sister.” “…I’m sorry, Shiri.” For several seconds, Claudia tried to find the words to explain herself to her sister, but she bit her lip when she saw Shirin’s teary eyes. But even so, she would not heed her sister’s request. Claudia pursed her lips as she pointed to Rusalka and Alma, who was still clinging to Natalie. “My family is precious to me. There isn’t anything in this world that means more to me than you do, Shiri. But family is precious to everyone. They want to help their family, too.” “Then they can do it… They can do it themselves! Leave me out of it!” “Shiri…” Shirin refused to accept Claudia’s explanation. Claudia was at a loss for how to continue in the face of her younger sister’s stubbornness. So the next person to act was Rusalka, who moved to stand beside Claudia. She could have explained the logic of the situation, or promised some kind of fitting reward in exchange for their cooperation, or even fallen back on the authority of the military. She had several options at her disposal, but— “—Please, Shirin Brafford.” “…Ngh.” “Please help us. I want to do whatever I can to help her.” —she chose to just lower her head and convey her simple, honest plea. Seeing her, words failed Shirin as her eyes opened wide. But her reaction quickly changed as she got ready to reject Rusalka’s request. “Please! I want to help my friend!” “—Ah.” But before she could reject Rusalka, Shannon also came forward and bowed her head. It was something that anyone who knew Shannon would have been shocked to see. She was always going at her own pace, never letting anything disrupt her way of life, and it was always impossible to tell how serious she was in any given moment. That was Shannon Stewart in a nutshell. So for her to be so fervently lowering her head to someone was almost beyond imagination. “Me too! Please help us! We have to do something!” “Please! Natalie isn’t someone who should die like this!” Lisbeth and Leili followed suit. They were always like oil and water, never agreeing on anything, but on this one point, they wanted the same thing. And— “…Please…help Natalie…” Alma’s eyes were filled with tears. Her cry for help was the one that finally broke through the last of Shirin’s defenses.
Chapter 23
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