Chapter 62

FRAGMENT ■■■■■ ■■■■ City—Shibuya Shibuya. In the geofront made of a giant’s spine and ribs were two people—a man of average height and a petite woman. They waited for the traffic light side by side at a scramble crossing. “This mission was easier than I thought. Although the enigma wasn’t very powerful,” the man said. “Affirmative. Reuniting with you made everything quicker. I am grateful.” “Heh! Gotta remind you of my deeper experience from time to time. I’ll treat you to a meal.” They were Zenol and Ange. Ange was in her usual outfit, but Zenol was casual—no MG. “You ever been to Shibuya before?” Zenol asked. “No. This mission was my first time.” “I’ve been here a few times. Did you know? This city is a bit far from the original Shibuya, but the center’s cityscape is just like it used to be on Earth.” Shibuya’s bright lights were striking against the darkness of the underground. “Affirmative. After the Fantasion, the cities named for former places tend to emulate the original location’s symbolic buildings and landscapes. Some say this comes from the subconsciousness of people who used to live there.” “Oh… So you did know… Boooo…” “Don’t be disappointed. I am an artificial spirit. That means I’m an expert at collecting and analyzing data.” The light turned red, and the crowds moved in waves. “…” Ange came to a sudden halt in the middle of the scramble crossing. “Mmm? What’s up?” Zenol turned around; Ange looked different than usual. “Comrade.” “What?” “I must tell you something important.” “Huh? Wh-what is it? The way you say that makes me nervous. Eep.” Zenol clutched his hands to his chest, an anxious look on his face. “First, could you tell me about the Morning Star, the psychic performance armament in my possession, as well as the original owner of this vessel?” “Ah, I don’t know about the Morning Star. I heard you almost manifested it in the operation to capture the goddess of weal and woe in Akihabara, but Faceless stopped you right before a tragedy could occur. Your body’s original owner is May, the Duchess of the Mournful Firmament, right? One of the Six Dark Peers. I do know a little about her.” “Affirmative. This body belongs to May of the Mournful Firmament. I am a shackle to suppress the incomplete Morning Star and an artificial spirit based on May of the Mournful Firmament’s personality. I’m merely Ange, the Fifth Prophet.” “…I don’t like talking about that. You’re you; that’s it. So what’s the thing you wanted to tell me?” “It disappeared.” “What?” Ange kept quiet for a moment, struggling to admit it. “…All signals of the souls of May and the Morning Star, the two fallen angels within me, have disappeared. I am now controlling the empty vessel of May of the Mournful Firmament.” Zenol stopped in the middle of the scramble crossing. His brain froze, unable to process what she’d just said. “……………Huh?” The noise of the scramble crossing enveloped them.