Chapter 88: Aymok’s True Identity
The inside of the seaside parking area felt like a completely different world.
It was a wide, open space likely bustling with beachgoers in summer, but now it was filled with groups of flashy-haired, extravagantly dressed people, gathered in clusters that easily numbered over a hundred in total.
Each group had a motorcycle at its center, with gaudy flags flying high. The men—and a few women—surrounding them were all crouched down in classic delinquent squats, glaring menacingly at the other groups nearby.
Apparently, none of the groups were on friendly terms. I felt a small measure of relief. If they all teamed up to attack us at once, there wouldn’t be anything we could do.
『Where’s Suzuka…?』
I searched for Suzuka while speaking to Sota via telepathy.
We had to use telepathy, since the roar of heavily modified bike engines made it impossible to talk without shouting.
『If Suzuka’s here, she’s probably with that bastard Aymok—in Uroboros. But I can’t tell which group is theirs.』
『Still, what kind of maniac gathers this many people on Christmas Eve of all days…?』
Surely, some of them would’ve wanted to spend today with their partners. Aymok’s choice of date was inconsiderate to say the least.
『…You’re telling me.』
『Also, we stand out like sore thumbs.』
There we were, in our normal winter coats, standing next to Sota’s school-commute mama bike, the “Sokaimaru.” It made us look even more out of place in this scene—awkwardly conspicuous.
But the stares we were getting weren’t just because of that. Normally, my silver hair would make me the center of attention, but here, Sota was drawing more looks than I was.
『You’re kinda famous in these circles, huh? What was it again—The Rampaging Wolf of Hirako High?』
『Ugh, quit it… If that’s how you’re playing it, I’ll start calling you the Pure-White Fairy.』
『…Right. Hurting each other is a pointless, unproductive cycle. Let’s not.』
As we exchanged jabs, I noticed a stir around a slightly raised stone stage at the side of the lot.
When I looked, someone familiar was standing on the stage without us noticing.
“…Aymok!”
Standing alone in the center of the stage was a man with striking blond hair and blue eyes—Aymok Haltorl.
Unlike the flashy getup he wore last time, he was now clad in a dignified priest-like robe, black with golden embroidery.
『Ikuto, Suzuka’s there! She’s in the group behind and to the right of Aymok!』
At Alicia’s words, I focused my gaze behind Aymok and spotted a gang with an obviously out-of-place girl among them—an elegant lady unmistakably Suzuka.
A tough-looking girl, clearly part of the gang, was gripping Suzuka’s wrist, but there were no signs she’d been hurt. Her face was understandably tense, though…
“Suzuka!”
When Sota shouted her name, Suzuka noticed us and her face lit up. Her mouth moved—probably saying, “Sota-san…”
…Hang tight. We’ll get you out of there, no matter what.
『We are Uroboros, led by I, Aymok Haltorl. Right now, I am speaking directly into your minds.』
Aymok’s voice echoed inside our heads.
『Telepathy…!?』
Alicia’s shocked voice rang in my mind as well.
The crowd grew restless with confusion. Aymok was clearly broadcasting his message to everyone here.
『—I thank you all for heeding my call and gathering here. Your presence honors me. I have summoned you for one purpose—to aid me.』
Aymok’s speech began, delivered in his usual pompous, grandiose tone—like a monarch addressing his subjects.
『—This world is steeped in decay. Though it overflows with people and things and could even be called a paradise… why is that!?』
As I tuned out Aymok’s speech, I turned toward Sota, planning to coordinate a rescue for Suzuka.
But Sota was staring at Aymok, dazed.
『This is bad! Ikuto, cast a magic barrier on Sota!』
At Alicia’s urgent cry, I hurriedly chanted a magic barrier spell and touched Sota’s arm, wrapping him in magical protection.
In an instant, clarity returned to Sota’s eyes.
『…What… just happened?』
『Aymok is lacing his telepathy with magic. The range is too wide for full-blown mind control, but it’s enough to loosen tension and make people more receptive to his words.』
So this is Aymok’s magic… As I thought, to people in this world who have no magical resistance, his power is dangerous.
『—It is because the gods have long since forsaken this world! Bereft of divine blessings, this world has lost its way, unable to find salvation. You youths wander aimlessly, tormented by doubts and suffering, surrendering yourselves to shallow pleasures to escape it all.』
Aymok’s sermon continued.
Like a shady cult leader, he preached his message to the surrounding delinquents. Yet not a single person raised their voice in protest. They simply listened quietly—something that, by itself, was proof this scene was far from normal.
『Doubt, suffering, despair—bring it all to me, Aymok Haltorl. I shall bear it in your place. And in return, I shall give you the answer you seek.』
…We never asked for that.
『—I have heard that today is the day people celebrate the birth of the Child of God. Then on this very day, I make you a vow. Upon this godless land, I shall bestow the true blessing of the real god. And in place of the gods that once were, I, as their true messenger, shall become the savior who guides this world forward!』
Indeed, gods did exist in the other world. But I knew—they were nothing more than raw forces without will. Good or evil depends entirely on the one who wields that power.
『As the priestess of the Water Spirit God Minstia, I don’t want a man like him speaking on behalf of any divine will… Communion with the gods is, at its core, a dialogue within oneself. It’s not something meant to force others into submission.』
『—Rejoice and be glad! I am the Apostle of the True God. From this very place tonight, I, Aymok Haltorl, shall begin the salvation of this world!』
To entrust everything to one person… That’s exactly the kind of danger our own world learned from past tragedies.
Which is why—if he plans to pull that off in this world, then as someone tied to the other world, it’s my duty to stop him.
『—To each of you, I offer a divine mission. You shall become messengers of salvation, spreading my voice across this world. Join me in Uroboros, and together we shall walk the path of glory! If any among you dissent, speak now!』
His declaration sparked movement from several of the delinquents.
“I’ve had enough of your god-this and god-that garbage… What a load of crap! We’re here to crush you and your Uroboros freaks. Right, guys?!”
“U-Uh, I…”
But it seemed many of them had been swayed by Aymok’s earlier speech. Their reactions to the first protester were hesitant, conflicted.
“Damn it… You seriously fell for that crap?! I’ll rip that snake-oil mask right off your face, you con artist!”
The man stormed onto the stage.
Several others from different groups followed, sharing the same resolve. Some were even armed—with knives, wooden swords, and other makeshift weapons.
“Aymok-san…!”
The men who seemed to be Uroboros members and had been standing watch behind the stage began to step forward—but Aymok stopped them with a raised hand.
“There’s no need. It’s only natural some would refuse to follow a power they cannot believe in… I shall face them myself. Come—all of you at once.”
“You bastard! You think this is a joke?! I’ll make you regret this!”
At that shout, the men all charged Aymok at once.
But in the very next instant, something strange happened at Aymok’s feet.
From his shadow, a black mass surged forth, splitting into multiple tendrils the size of a human arm.
The rising shadows coiled like serpents raising their heads, hissing menacingly at the attackers.
“What the hell kind of trick is this…?!”
“A trick…? No. This is a divine miracle.”
With a snap of his fingers, Aymok sent the shadows lashing out in all directions.
One thick tendril slammed into a man’s stomach with a dull thud—like he’d been hit by a bat—and the force bent him in half before launching him backward.
“D-damn it! You’ve gotta be kidding me!”
The man swung his weapon wildly, trying to swat away the writhing shadows. But they moved unpredictably, almost playfully, like serpents slithering in mid-air. One of them darted around behind him and struck his back—sending him crumpling to the ground.
Still, they had numbers on their side.
One of the braver men slipped between the shadows, rushing Aymok, who remained motionless in the center of it all.
“Die!!”
The man raised his fist and lunged—
—but never got the chance to bring it down.
Aymok moved with inhuman speed. In a blur, he struck the man’s body with a crushing blow before anyone could register what happened.
The attacker froze, then dropped limply to the floor.
“Wh-what the hell are you…?!”
In the blink of an eye, most of the men had been overwhelmed by the shadowy force.
The few who remained were frozen in place, completely demoralized.
“I told you—it is a divine miracle. A mere fragment of the power granted to me by the god of darkness. I am Aymok Haltorl Dakryhipos, priest of the Dark God Dakryhipos!”
Aymok’s voice boomed with triumph as he declared this to all.
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