“Isn’t that… Anonymous?”
When Kernel and his knights caught up, Qualia and Anonymous were both yet to make a move.
Qualia was soaked by the sudden downpour, and Anonymous was covered in blood.
The rain kept falling, and both stared at each other as if preventing the other from moving.
“Request explanation. What is your objective?”
“…”
“Gii… Iii…”
The fox mask looked down at the barely alive chimera, without responding.
And then, Anonymous threw a question back.
“Did you know? Chimeras are the result of magic doll technology connected in a distorted way.
“Recognizing chimera.”
“…But, chimera production is prohibited. I see, so that is why it was Ddos’ trump card.”
Said Kernel. And just as he looked at Ddos’ head with disgust, the anguished chimera crunched it, skull and everything.
It was like the last point of pride of the chimera, to not leave food uneaten.
“I came here to end the chimera, because I pity the magic stones and monsters used to make it.”
And immediately after, the light from the chimera’s eyes and magic stones faded. And what was once Ddos, dripped from its mouth.
“I made sure Ddos settled his account. He’s never going to finance the production of a chimera, or create magic dolls ever again.”
“You ended Ddos’ vital activity, even though he should have been incapacitated via restraining him. You are wrong.”
“He was going to get himself acquitted via bribery anyway.”
“And it is perceived that you captured magic dolls.”
The fox mask turned to Qualia.
“What are you going to do about it?”
“Incapacitate you, and input information.”
“I can’t be captured yet.”
Anonymous disappeared.
For a moment, a few of the knights saw an afterimage stretch up into the sky.
Qualia also saw it, and looked up.
Anonymous’ body got away for a bit, and the next moment, it looked down at the knights from the top of a building.
For just a moment, dragon wings made of magic energy spread on his left shoulder, but they were soon put away in his back.
“I imagine that your ‘learning’ is too troubling.”
Anonymous sounded wary of Qualia.
And then, several boys and girls appeared behind him.
They all had their faces covered by hoods of raincoats, but Ace knew what they were.
“Those are magic dolls that were under the control of my former master. But our network is labeling them as lost.”
“Those are the magic dolls you took away in the confusion, right? What are you planning to do with them? Start a second Azure Skies?”
“Violence solves nothing. My goal is the opposite of violence.”
“You say that while lining up a force of magic dolls?”
“…Typical of someone who only sees magic dolls as weapons.”
Anonymous groaned with irritation, and the eyes behind the fox mask opened widely.
“But one day, that misconception of yours will be cleared.”
“What do you mean?”
“Qualia, you asked what my objective was.”
Anonymous turned his glare to Qualia.
Qualia felt Anonymous’ eyes on him. Although information about him was mostly locked out, and although his face covered by the fox mask, Qualia still felt the spark of a heart in him
He felt an indescribable rage coming from him, as though Anonymous did not care even if it burned his body.
“…Humans, magic dolls, beast people. I will create a world where everyone will be able to see tomorrow.”
“Request explanation. What kind of world is that?”
“You’ll see. But I need the help of magic dolls to create it.”
Some of the magic dolls stepped in front of Anonymous.
And after advancing voluntarily, they spoke with some intonation in their voices.
“We support Anonymous.”
“…As you can see, they clearly have a sense of self like Ace.”
Kernel broke out in cold sweat, as he looked up at the magic dolls. Although not perfect, there was a will in their eyes. Qualia was one thing, but even Kernel, someone with a rich life experience, could see it.
Much like how Ace voluntarily joined Hello world, the other magic dolls were helping Anonymous because that was what they wanted. Like Qualia, Anonymous showed proof that magic dolls had hearts.
“Request explanation. You input in Lobelia the information about the diversion of the ancient magic stones quickly. How did you learn about that? Why did you inform Lobelia?”
And then, the rain that was beginning to let up became stronger again.
“Now that I think about it, it was raining then too…”
Anonymous whispered in the middle of the downpour.
“Once again request explanation. Does your voice interfere with the rain?”
“Because he is sleeping. My benefactor is sleeping under a cross in the upper area. That is why I can’t let the Black Holes activate.”
He said, before disappearing into the sky again, along with the magic dolls.
But this time, he did not appear again. He really was gone from that area.
“After him.”
Kernel gave the order to Clearance to chase him, but knew that would be difficult. He squinted with a suspicious expression, and it showed he thought it was unfortunate.
“Analyzing situation. Lost Anonymous. Searching would be very difficult.”
Qualia reached the same conclusion.
“He disappeared along with the magic dolls. We can’t explain this away by saying it was magic.”
“Analyzing situation. Analyzed the magic energy on Anonymous’ body, and when he disappeared.”
Qualia then continued with the results.
“Anonymous’ body has been determined to be human. But there is a high chance that it has an ancient magic stone in its chest.”
“…That can’t be. Magic stones are horrible poison to a human body. I heard that all humans that were embedded with one died. It is more nonsensical than chimera… Not to mention that even artificial bodies can handle an ancient magic stone.”
Kernel said as he shook his head, but Qualia did not change his conclusion.
Anonymous was human in both body and spirit. But one thing was different. There was an ancient magic stone in the left side of his chest, as if it replaced his actual heart.
But they did not think about it any further, as Qualia’s left eye saw a bigger threat than Anonymous.
“Detected the appearance of an ancient magic stone Black Hole in the upper area. Heading there now.”
Join my patreon to support me and read ahead.
