Chapter 256: Queen of Chaos
Chapter 256: Queen of Chaos
“Hmm. I’m fairly certain I explained everything already. Is it perhaps too difficult for that tiny head of yours to grasp?”
Her hand didn’t even twitch.
There was no reaction from it whatsoever.
No movement of muscle or vein beneath the skin.
No warmth or chill felt from our joined hands.
Only the fact that it existed was present.
A meaningless hand.
That was the essence of this being.
And that was exactly why.
“No, I’ve thought it all through.”
With this tiny, grain-sized head of mine.
“I believe I told you to make a choice?”
“Yeah… You did.”
Despite the fact that I was dying, my mind grew clearer as I forced the words out.
“But… you never said I could only choose one, did you?”
“You realize how forced that sounds, even coming from you?”
Of course I did.
But as far as I was concerned, this was the only way.
“You… said earlier that you expected this.”
The expectation that I would abandon Un-ho and choose the information. That specific scenario.
That I, who had come this far by discarding things, would cut something away once again.
But.
Thinking back, there was something strange.
These entities were oddly unresponsive to the Demon Train.
And the incident that occurred there.
I knew Dam.
And I knew the Blue Sea I encountered as a result.
The conversation with someone that I had created by discarding something.
The Sea that made me look back at what I had been throwing away.
Because of that, I could rethink it. The question to myself of whether I could truly abandon Un-ho.
And I found my answer.
Even if I had to discard myself, I could not abandon Un-ho.
Perhaps.
It was a truly slim possibility, but.
“Isn’t this… actually all part of your scenario too? Ma.”
“You’re overthinking it.”
Twitch.
Her hand moved.
It was a movement so slight it could have been dismissed as a mere hallucination.
Right.
The woman before me now was not the complete End.
She was not an incomprehensible existence transcending all reason.
To converse with me, she had descended into a mortal form—an extremity of The End.
And because of that, she was prone to making human mistakes.
“What kind of future did I have in the version where I gave up on Un-ho and took the information? A future where I was destroyed, crumbling from within? The kind of ruinous future you love, where a tiny thing falls into despair, wailing as it falls apart? It’s just a guess, but that sounds about right, doesn’t it? Ma?”
There was no reaction from her hand.
As if she wouldn’t make the same mistake twice.
However, this was the only thing I could do.
Throwing out a bait.
“Hmm. Go on, then.”
And she bit.
“You said it earlier. That the original scenario was a bit boring. That there needed to be some tyranny.”
From my mangled brain, a path as thin as a thread—the only path I could take—stretched out.
“Then here is a new scenario. The future you’re thinking of doesn’t exist. I will take both, and I’ll show you a story you never expected.”
No matter what I did, I couldn't replace what she could give.
And I couldn't suppress her with strength.
The only thing I could do was use the means she had provided me.
Persuasion through dialogue.
I spat out my confident answer, suggesting I could show a pleasure-addict a much more interesting story.
I waited for The Queen’s response, but—
“…How strange. By my estimates, you would never do such a thing. In any world, you are a man accustomed to sacrifice.”
The Queen rose from her throne with a cold expression.
“There must be a catalyst. Something I failed to reference.”
Without letting go of my hand, she stared down at me.
From above to below.
Casting a long shadow.
“Is it the Deep Otherworld? Did you meet those who oppose The End? Whichever it was, it seems you encountered something outside my field of vision.”
She whispered to me.
With the voice of a wicked serpent.
Digging into my mind.
“Fine… Your proposal is quite intriguing. Then, let’s make a deal here.”
She shook off my hand, then grabbed it again.
That meaningless, cruel hand enveloped mine.
“Give me that experience of yours. If you do, I will respect your choice.”
Shhh.
I felt like I heard that sound.
And the sound of something crumbling.
The Scales moved.
The Demon Train.
Un-ho.
Information.
On The Scales where those two were placed, a new, nonsensical weight was added.
And I realized one more thing.
The Ark created by the Star Race was doing its job.
Unless it was an irregular situation where an internal member called out to The End directly, even The End didn't know of its existence.
Demiurge.
True to its name, the name of a false god, it was repelling the interference of the absolute being at the end.
If I told the being in front of me about such a place… what would happen?
If I told Ma, who craved destruction.
“Why? No answer? I’m doing exactly as you asked. I’ll save Un-ho and give you the information.”
Her hollow, infinite face drew closer to mine.
Bit by bit. Inch by inch.
…Was this also The Queen’s scenario?
Just where did it start?
Where did the lies end and the truth begin?
Since when had I…
What choice was I supposed to make?
What on earth…
How could I…
Escape from this being before me?
“Your mind seems cluttered. Now, there are three options. One: Information. Two: Un-ho. Three: Both information and Un-ho. In exchange, you must pay the price.”
This was madness.
These were choices that couldn't be chosen.
No matter what I picked.
I, who had repeatedly piled up corpses while believing I would one day reach the sky…
I was merely throwing another corpse onto the pile I had built.
“Ah, there’s one more option. Four: Willingly accept the impending total annihilation and return to the void.”
“…”
Was this The End?
Even facing her in the same space, even when unexpected situations arose, she was a being that drove everything toward The End.
Cutting away all options.
Guiding everything toward destruction.
Ma.
Even though it wasn't a direct battle, I felt instinctively that I had lost everything.
Without even knowing how much of this was a scenario The Queen had woven, my vision began to fade.
In my blurring sight, I saw something sparkling on my right arm.
Come to think of it… I think there was something on my right arm during the incident with Dam, too…
As I faded away, I focused my mind on that twinkling light.
Because it felt so incredibly cozy.
“Is it the fourth? That’s not bad either. Well, I suppose this is as far as we go this time.”
As if even this was a form of entertainment.
Hearing her voice, which seemed tinged with joy, everything about me drifted toward the far distance.
* * *
Thud.
“Excuse me, Your Majesty.”
Somehow, a familiar voice reached my ears.
“…What are you doing in here with the lights off? You’ve driven away the Guardian Corps, and as I’ve told you many times, manifesting the essence of The End is an inefficient act that draws The End closer unless it is for something vital. I advised you to refrain from doing so as much as possible, yet you remain unchanged.”
And then, a voice that felt strangely realistic followed.
…What?
When I turned my head toward the voice, I saw a fairy flying casually through the Black Space.
…Af?
Why is she here?
the moment I recognized that strangeness, everything suddenly became peaceful.
“Huh? Captain Af? Did I call for you? Why?”
Was it because The Queen, suddenly showing emotion, began to stammer?
“Is there a reason I shouldn't be here? Given my rank, I believe I have the privilege of an audience with Your Majesty whenever I wish.”
Despite The Queen’s words, Captain Af replied in her usual deadpan voice, stating strictly principled facts.
“Still, shouldn't there be a time and a place? Captain Af?”
“A time and a place, you say? It is currently just past noon, standard working hours, and this location is the Throne Room where one meets Your Majesty. Neither seems to be a major issue.”
“…No, that’s not what I meant. Sigh…”
Perhaps because he was so strictly principled, I witnessed the rare sight of The Queen clutching her head.
…What on earth is this?
“Are you perhaps referring to your private life where you display your sadistic tastes? With all due respect, I advise you to satisfy such inclinations in your personal space after working hours.”
“Can’t you just do your business and leave, Captain Af? I’m busy right now…?”
…Seriously, what is going on?
Was it because The Queen had returned to her Avatar form, perhaps out of consideration for Af?
My whole body still ached, but I could feel myself gradually regenerating.
To watch the rare spectacle before me, I leaned against The Wall, clutching my chest.
“Hmm. Since you say you are busy, I will end my advice here and state the reason for my visit.”
“Yes, please…”
Is The Queen weak against sticklers for rules?
I watched the vulnerable Queen with great interest, to the point of having such idle thoughts.
“The reason I have come to see Your Majesty is that a civil complaint has been filed with the Central Election Committee.”
“…A complaint?”
“Yes. The person who filed the complaint is Al’shel, a clerk from Brigadier General Un-ho’s election office.”
…How is any of this happening?
“I have completed the verification process for the content submitted by said individual, and deeming the content valid, I seek Your Majesty’s approval.”
Saying so, Af pulled a stack of papers from her coat and held them out to The Queen.
“Since I expect you won't read them as usual, I will provide a summary. The death of candidate Brigadier General Un-ho was a non-lethal combat encounter according to the established rules. However, the Guardian Corps failed to fulfill its management responsibility during the battle, resulting in the loss of life of one of the candidates, Brigadier General Un-ho. Clerk Al’shel obtained testimony from Lina of the Guardian Corps that this was not an accident, and consequently, it has been concluded that Your Majesty must personally resurrect Brigadier General Un-ho.”
“Wait, what? No, there was no rule saying I had to resurrect anyone!”
“Yes. Legally, a liability for compensation based on value judgment arises—for example, the perpetrator’s faction surrendering a number of seats equal to or greater than the number of deceased within a certain period. However, in this case, I have just confirmed that Your Majesty yourself is boasting about the possibility of resurrecting Brigadier General Un-ho. Therefore, a resurrection of equal value will suffice.”
A mad, principle-driven efficiency expert is a terrifying thing.
That Queen is getting hammered by Captain Af without being able to say a word.
…This is actually kind of funny.
“No, well… Captain Af? I know I shouldn't say this, but I’m doing something very important related to that.”
“If that 'important thing' is threatening a guest from another world, I could turn a blind eye given my position, but frankly, it is not a very pleasant sight.”
Saying so, Captain Af pushed the documents a bit further forward.
“Give up and sign.”
“…Are you really going to be like this?”
“I am simply acting according to principle. If you truly dislike it, please appoint a new person in charge. Though I imagine that would be even more of a hassle for you.”
Captain Af’s final blow.
Upon receiving it, The Queen began to freak out, tearing at her white hair.
Soon, as if she had given up on everything, she sprayed black ink from her fingertip and finished signing the documents.
“Signature confirmed. Then, please handle the resurrection process as soon as possible.”
Captain Af quickly scanned the signature line, gathered the documents, and exited as swiftly as she had entered the Throne Room.
And then.
Silence filled the room.
For about five minutes.
In that time, my near-dead body had recovered enough to move somewhat.
Since waiting was getting boring, I spoke up.
“Uh… so what happens with the choice?”
I opened my mouth.
“…I’ll save Un-ho. And I’ll give you only part of the information. Be satisfied with that.”
I’d prefer all of it.
No, let’s not get greedy.
This unexpected victory wasn't something I achieved.
Al’shel, thank you.
I could never have done this alone.
I wondered where you’d gone, and to think you’d grab the Guardian Corps and Captain Af to settle the score.
If I had made my choice a little faster, or if Captain Af had been a little later, everything would have been warped.
More than that, I had one question.
“Can I ask one thing?”
“…What is it?”
“Couldn't you have just manipulated Af or nullified that law, just like you toyed with me and Un-ho?”
Then I would have been utterly defeated.
Or I would have had to pick one of those horrible options.
“I have my own attachment to this world. As Ma. I don’t understand myself either, but don’t tell me what to do regarding my duality.”
Right.
“Sentient beings with individuality are important. If I manipulate Captain Af as I please, she ceases to be the Captain Af who was originally there. Even The End cannot create a perfectly identical being or a perfectly identical situation. Otherwise, I would have to control the situation perfectly, and at the very least, I hate to see my world become like a collection of marionettes.”
I get it. You don’t have to make excuses.
For the first time, The Queen felt pathetic to me.
She felt like a parent being hounded by her children.
It was a ridiculous delusion, of course.