Sharp Resolves to Die

<Shadow the Third>

“Why?! Why is no one coming?! Security troops! Magic Police! Ministry of Magic! The security zone has been breached! They’re heading for SVN! Damn that fool Groove! This is what happens when you act on your own!”

His shout echoes in vain. The executives remain silent, their heads lowered.

One of his aides—someone he had been thinking of demoting for his lack of loyalty—steps forward hesitantly and speaks up.

“As for the Magic Police and the Ministry of Magic, it seems they’ve been pressured into inaction. They can’t be mobilized.”

“Who are they working with?!”

“Chief Inspector Eric and Section Chief Chopin. They were likely classmates of Akira and Elise, possibly friends.”

“I should have silenced them with promises of promotion. Why?! What went wrong?!”

“We can’t know for sure what they’re thinking, but… perhaps they’re doing the same thing Sharp is. In a hopeless situation where no action could turn the tide, maybe they chose to remain silent, endure, pretend to be loyal… waiting for the perfect moment to outmaneuver us all.”

“Arrogant fools! I have connections higher up—with the Commissioner and the Director! Reach out to them immediately!”

“Understood. Hey! Prepare the magic phone!”

Damn it. There’s no time. I don’t know exactly what they plan to rewrite, but at this rate, our massive magical macro assets will be wiped out!

“Pardon me, but… it’s likely too late. While we’re making calls, they’ll probably reach SVN and begin making changes.”

“Then it can’t be helped! Hey! Is the pipe organ room ready?!”

“Yes, sir. It’s in the adjacent room. The security lock has already been disengaged.”

Only Sharp is at the site. A traitor—infuriating, but there’s no choice. He must be controlled directly.

Once Rabbid arrives on the scene, he should be able to handle it. He knows the magic to forcibly expel intruders from the MPN using his violin. Until then, we have to buy time.

The pipe organ room was a dim, bluish space. Carpets lined the floor, and benches stood in rows like those in a church.

A hooded aide, wearing a Hyottoko mask and keeping his hands hidden in his sleeves, offered advice.

“It’s tuned to full power. Sharp’s body and mind will shatter under this. Heh heh heh. In that other world, they’re into drone weapons, I hear—but this? This is our version of a remote-controlled weapon. We destroy human dignity and rebuild it as a weapon. It’ll send our Karma Points skyrocketing.”

“Enough talk. Begin the performance.”

He struck the keyboard, where black and white keys were reversed. In response, the stained glass turned a deranged shade of red.

<Sharp>

Electricity coursed through his entire body. Tch. So it begins. Brainwashing magic! Stronger than anything I’ve endured so far. They’re really trying to control me like a puppet—and destroy me.

But this is within expectations. If I can avenge my sister, I’m willing to die.

If I can bury those cursed Karma Points in the darkness of history, I’ll gladly become a corpse that guides the next generation.

"Lalacolos."

Those weren’t words of my own will. Against my will, my legs moved on their own. My body slipped into the MPN and began to chase after the three of them.

Then—clash!—the sound of a cymbal. Pain shot through my knees. It wasn’t until a moment later that I realized I’d been hit by a blade of wind.

"I will not let you interfere."

"We’ve finally seized our chance. I won’t let you go any further."

Words spilled from my mouth without consent. It was probably Shadow the Third controlling my speech.

But this is fine. Well done, Forte. Keep destroying my legs. I will not allow anyone to interfere with the moment history changes.