Chapter 173 - Even If I Am Called a Member
One cannot fight on an empty stomach. Based on such samurai-like thinking, we decided to eat the hotcakes Ayako-chan had baked.
We took our seats with me on the left of the table, Angelica on the right, Ayako-chan sitting opposite me, and a sulking Philia next to her,
"Ittadakimasu,"
and offered words of gratitude. It's not that I'm a devout Buddhist (in the first place, I was converted to Monotheism by Philia when I was young), so the meaning of thanking the person who made it is greater than the gratitude toward the ingredients.
It seems that sentiment was properly conveyed to Ayako-chan as well, as she was smiling brightly.
It was a pastoral atmosphere, but unfortunately, we didn't have the time to enjoy a leisurely family gathering.
"Regarding the matter of Erin—"
"You're going to kill her, right? She's the kind of person who imprisoned and tormented Nakamoto-san, so someone like that shouldn't be allowed to live. She should just die. She should just die. She should just die."
Ayako-chan suddenly switched into a combat stance and was far too terrifying, so I ignored her and spoke to Angelica beside me.
"It seems that she has been distributing her Fragmented Soul into various small animals. That's why she failed."
"If it's a mage's Fragmented Soul, would it be things like cats or bats?"
"There were cats, and she used Swallowtail Butterflies too. Apparently, she fragmented her soul into as many as six hundred small animals."
"...That's a lot."
"Yes, a lot. That's the problem."
I nodded slowly while stuffing my mouth with hotcakes.
"We don't even know where they're hiding, and there's a stock of six hundred lives. I've taken down three of them, but... that's only three, you know? To be blunt, there's no end to it if we fight at this pace."
"It would be nice if we could lure them all out and annihilate them all at once..."
"That's the thing."
But I have no idea how to draw them out. I wish there were some kind of powerful bait that would make Erin unable to sit still.
However, such a thing won't be found easily.
And yet, even while we are doing this now, Erin is acquiring knowledge of modern Japan and will continue to hide more and more cunningly.
There isn't much time to spare; what on earth should I do...
"..."
...Erin, who is acquiring knowledge of modern Japan.
Won't she eventually start watching the programs I appear in?
Is it possible that a television station might suddenly be attacked while I'm working?
That would be a problem, I thought, frowning, when a flash of inspiration struck.
That's it.
That will serve as the bait.
Moreover, I am soon to become the host of an information program themed around high school girls.
And Rio, a girl who is the spitting image of Elsa, is also scheduled to appear as a performer.
—Erin loathed Elsa.
"...Shall I do it?"
I asked myself. Am I prepared to sacrifice everything?
I am.
I wasn't seeking money or fame to begin with. If it's for my objective, I won't choose my means.
If it's to protect my home, my people, and Angelica and the others, I'll do anything.
Even if I am branded a demon, or called a monster, or even if I am called a member.
I will defeat Erin.
"...I hope she shows up."
I pulled my smartphone from my pocket and opened an SNS app.
Speak of the devil, I had several new messages from Rio.
When I tapped the screen, several selfies of Rio making a coquettish smile while holding a coloring book were displayed.
'I drew a lot just like Papa said'
The message was devoid of any normal elements.
I replied, 'Yeah, you colored it well. You did a good job,' and then got to the main point.
'Rio, are you there? You're probably in class, but just ditch that and go to the restroom or something.'
After a while, the "read" indicator appeared at the top of the message, and a reply arrived: 'Thank you, that recent "tough guy" act is totally my type.'
'Glad to hear it. By the way, I have a favor to ask, is that okay?'
'What? Do you want to see my panties?'
'No. It's about the information program we'll be appearing on together soon.'
'Oh, that... are we going to have a meeting about the material or something?'
'Something like that.'
If I say this, my world will end.
I will be opening a forbidden door.
Even so, I must do it.
I took a quiet breath and typed the words.
'Rio, let's get married.'
'Eh?'
'Let's get married.'
'Eh? Eh?'
I could easily imagine Rio freezing up on the other side of the screen.
'Your mother will probably give permission anyway. You're sixteen. As long as I get the guardian's consent, there shouldn't be any problem.'
'Wait. Wait a second. I don't understand. What are you saying all of a sudden?'
'I intend to announce it grandly on the program. That you are my fiancée.'
'I said I don't understand!'
...As I thought, was it too abrupt?
Just as I was about to give up, thinking that no matter how much affection there was, this was too much, a message arrived: 'You're not lying, right?'
'Of course not. I need you.'
'...Understood. Um.'
—I am inexperienced, but I look forward to working with you.
Rio's reply was written in an uncharacteristically formal tone.
At the end of the sentence, there was an emoji of someone bowing their head while blushing.
In this way, despite being thirty-two years old, I had obtained a fiancé who was an active high school girl.