Chapter 40
Chapter 40
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 40
Chapter Title: Mecha God Chronicle - Ending (1)
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"Childhood's End."
A novel written in the mid-20th century by the famous SF author Arthur C. Clarke.
It's so renowned that among people interested in this genre, almost no one hasn't heard of it—even if they don't know the details, the title alone rings a bell.
In fact, even those unfamiliar with the plot have undoubtedly seen works influenced by this novel.
Because hardly any existing SF story remains untouched by Childhood's End.
However, on Earth, a full 70 years passed between its publication and my reincarnation.
That means while the ending might have felt fresh and shocking back then,
by the 2020s, it had been wrung dry like old broth in countless works, turning into something clichéd and stale.
Especially since 'that work'—the one turning humanity into LCL... no, orange juice—drew from Childhood's End, making its ending even more infamous.
But flipping that around,
in a fantasy world where not only has Childhood's End not been published 70 years ago, but even similar concepts haven't taken root, this ending would be utterly shocking.
"...Director, if it's not too rude, have you finally lost your mind? Or has something happened to your head?"
That was Kaya's immediate reaction upon hearing my plan for the Mecha God Chronicle ending from me.
And as she said it, Serika, standing beside her, looked equally perplexed.
What? I thought Serika was on my side at least, but even she finds the Childhood's End ending a bit too shocking?
"Um, Kaya."
"Yes, Lady Grinebalt?"
"Your tone toward Raguna... no, the Director... it seems a little different. What happened?"
"..."
For some reason, Serika seemed more bothered by Kaya's change in tone toward me than the idea of all humanity linking into a single entity.
For reference, Kaya's speech toward me shifted like this after I forced her into the Mecha God and made her get out.
Put positively, we'd grown closer and more comfortable; put negatively, she'd become a bit cheekier.
Honestly, though, I found her current tone easier to deal with than before.
Since her true identity is the Imperial Princess, constantly minding my words around her was exhausting.
But with her taking the lead in casual speech, I could relax and speak freely too.
"Well, someone forced me into this. I realized there's no point in keeping up formalities around that person..."
"..."
As Kaya glared at me and muttered that, I deliberately looked away.
Given what I'd done, I had nothing to say even if I had ten mouths.
Meanwhile, Serika, who had been listening to our exchange, pouted as if something dissatisfied her.
"...?"
Something had apparently soured her mood a bit, but now wasn't the time to worry about that.
Because to wrap up the Mecha God Chronicle finale in true Childhood's End style, I needed both of their cooperation.
"Anyway, this is too much, even for you. People are hugely anticipating how Mecha God Chronicle will end, and if you drop a total trainwreck ending like this, imagine the backlash we'll get!"
"Hm."
If this were Earth, it might get called a clichéd ending at worst, but not a trainwreck. Is this uncivilized fantasy world still a century away from appreciating such culture?
I sighed inwardly but spoke in as serious a tone as possible on the surface.
"Well, I don't think this ending is that much of a trainwreck."
"...Pardon?"
Kaya's face twisted in absurdity at my words.
"Not a trainwreck? This one where all of humanity dies?"
"Exactly."
I nodded firmly at Kaya's question.
"It might be a bit late to bring up now, but do you remember the content of Mecha God Chronicle episode 25, by any chance?"
"...How could I forget? There was a time I resented having made an anime with that kind of content with my own hands."
As she spoke, Kaya shuddered, clearly still terrified of nearly blowing up the planet with her own hands.
"Do you recall Dr. Rachel's offhand line from there?"
"Ah... the one about Unit Zero awakening as a true god and beginning the Genesis Ritual? Something like, as the price of a new genesis, all false creations would perish... I think."
"Ho."
I let out an impressed sound as Kaya spoke.
It was a line I'd slipped in casually to avoid sticking in people's memories, yet she still remembered it.
"Think back to episode 25's plot once more. At that point, the awakened god Unit Zero was originally set to explode Earth and reset all humanity. The Illuminati and the Council only barely stopped it with the holy sword."
"..."
"Viewers must have been baffled. Of course—humanity nearly went extinct. But—"
I grinned and continued.
"At the same time, this thought likely flashed through their minds. Fortunately, Unit Zero halted, so humanity was spared."
But what if Unit Zero's Genesis Ritual had truly wiped out humanity? What would happen next?
Most viewers would have harbored that question deep in their hearts.
Because once you're aware of a possibility, curiosity is inevitable—you can't unsee it.
Kaya might not know this, but it's called Chekhov's gun.
If a gun appears in a story, it must fire.
If a foreshadowing is laid, it must pay off meaningfully.
Honestly, when the perfect being foreshadowing dropped, people probably secretly wanted to see Kaz as a perfect being too, right?
Same principle.
With humanity's extinction foreshadowed, including that scene raises the story's completion.
"..."
Indeed, Kaya quietly stared at me, unable to refute.
"In other words, the foreshadowing for humanity's extinction is already in place. Plus, I'm planning to give protagonist Kai a final choice here."
"...A final choice?"
"Truthfully, Kai's heroics in Mecha God Chronicle essentially peaked at episode 25. After defeating Nyarlathotep, the strongest Outer God in the story, he had no real rivals left."
That's why from episode 26, the focus shifted from battles with Outer Gods to conflicts among the Grand Marshal, the Council, and Illuminati members.
"At the end of episode 25, Kai reverted from god back to human. That means he's half-divine at best— the only one qualified to judge humanity."
"...I see what you're getting at, Director."
Kaya closed her eyes.
"Under the pretext of protecting themselves from Outer Gods, humanity sealed Kai's little sister into Unit Zero's core and even created the clone Saya. Once Kai learned the truth, he developed intense resentment toward humanity."
So, in the ending, Kai deciding to wipe out humanity via the Human Instrumentality... no, the "Human Ascension Plan" feels perfectly natural.
...Of course, that doesn't change it being a total trainwreck ending.
But since I'd woven in countless hints from the planning stage with the orange juice ending in mind, Kaya couldn't easily counter me now.
'Plus, if the Emperor or others react poorly, I have an insurance policy ready.'
Of course, I'd prefer not to use it, but in this rigid class-based fantasy world—unlike 21st-century democratic society—my head could literally roll.
Kaya kept her eyes closed for a while, sorting her thoughts.
She finally opened them after some time.
And the first thing she did? Glare at me.
She'd clearly bought into my argument.
"Sigh... Fine. Let's try it. But if His Majesty tries to kill you, I won't stop him."
"Wouldn't dream of it."
I shrugged at Kaya's words.
"Oh, and since plain old death might feel flat, I came up with a brilliant idea."
"...Brilliant idea? What is it?"
"Remember how hot the reaction was when we used that dirge as OST for Luke's death in episode 15? So, for humanity's end, how about inserting some classical music? Professor Hermione recommended 'Come, Beautiful Death'—it fits perfectly—"
"No! Anything but that!"
For reference, my plan to pair the humanity extinction scene with classical music was shot down by Serika and Kaya's fierce opposition, never making it to execution.
Truly regrettable.
Also, episodes 49 and 50 aired without imperial censorship, per our prior agreement with the Emperor.
The day after Mecha God Chronicle episodes 49 and 50 successfully broadcast,
Kaya visited me early in the morning and spoke.
"...Director. His Majesty has summoned you. To the imperial palace—right now."
"..."
Is this... big trouble?