NOVEL NEXT Chapter 128
Wound of the Star
The blasphemous wound created by the first humans to twist the flow of the perfect star into the concept of ‘death.’ And the starlight oozing from there manifests as monsters to remove the descendants of the sins that wounded the star from the surface.
The monsters’ purpose is to annihilate humanity.
“I know that is all there is to it. The Goddess of Start didn’t have the capacity to arrange enough information for me, nor for her successors and messengers.”
“………”
“And if everything had gone according to plan, I wouldn’t have needed to know more than this. However…”
“However?”
“The Goddess of Start is the only goddess who has witnessed the unscathed will of the star among all goddesses. Perhaps the reason she took on the trial was situated there.”
The purpose that the will of the star possesses.
It didn’t seem to me that it was solely the destruction of humanity.
The reason the Goddess of Start insisted that humanity must ‘evolve’ to survive.
The reason only a minuscule number of ‘evolved’ people can survive to avoid the curses of the three goddesses.
Originally, getting only a minimal amount of humanity to escape to Elysion was part of a plan that included the ‘evolved’ humanity led by the successor.
“To evolve means to change.”
Receiving starlight from the fragment of the Goddess of Start, I deviate from the flow that descended from the first humanity.
The reason to become independent from the flow originating from the will of the star that has continued from ancient times to the present,
I couldn’t know in the previous world, which quickly perished due to the curses of the three goddesses. However, there is a dissonance felt in the current point in time, where the form of the trial has shifted, and the magical girls have been incorporated into the trials.
“If the star truly hated humanity and wanted to destroy them, it would have rejected the incorporation of magical girls.”
The will of the star doesn’t indiscriminately oppose humanity but seems to intend to destroy ‘now’ humanity due to some necessity.
“If it’s the evolved humanity… it means magical girls. The ones to be evacuated to Elysion will also be those connected to magical girls.”
Those who follow magical girls in Elysion can exchange dreams and live in self-sufficiency. They don’t have to consume what was born from the star.
The separation of stars and humans.
The Goddess of Start aimed to separate stars and humans.
Suddenly, the Magical Girl of [Plague] came to my mind.
Greed
Robbery
Division
The Magical Girl, whose structure makes her have no choice but to rob others’ starlight to maintain herself.
Having no hostility towards others, she naturally causes harm for her survival.
‘…That’s similar.’
The relationship between stars and humans.
The relationship between humans and stars.
They only hurt each other out of necessity, not because of hostility.
If the purpose of the will of the star is not simply mass murder due to grudge.
If the will of the star is trying to destroy humanity to seal the flaws it possesses, like the Magical Girl of [Plague],
“The will of the star isn’t merely killing people. Perhaps, it’s trying to gather the weak fragments scattered from the first humanity and return to a complete flow.”
“I can’t deny that. The three goddesses, abandoned by humanity, are also beings derived from the star. They must have instinctively wanted to return to the flow of the star, back into chaos.”
“The will of the star endlessly tracks and absorbs humanity that consumes things born from the star. So, humanity following magical girls, who can sustain themselves with their own starlight, cannot be tracked.”
“That idea is refreshing… It’s quite similar to the original plan of the Goddess of Start.”
The very first humanity, which fell from the star a long time ago.
If the trial monsters were presented to absorb the starlight latent in their descendants.
Then, trials are not imposed out of hatred for humanity from the start but are actions taken to seal wounds.
Destruction of humanity is not the goal, but as a result, humanity perishes. Thus, it doesn’t show the hostility of slaughter, but rather a mechanical appearance like now.
However, in the previous world, it was accelerated only by the curse of the three goddesses, who held hostility towards humanity.
The relationship between stars and humans.
Hecate and I exchanged words while completing a new hypothesis.
“What do you think?”
“Well. I can’t deny or affirm it. The quantity of evidence is scant, yet the reasons can’t be ignored…”
“In situations like this, it’s better to just nod along.”
“Um. I think the successor is right. The successor is very wise.”
Clap clap clap
Normally, Hecate would subordinate, but it was quite impressive to see her somewhat agree to the atmosphere before she accepted it.
Since she started interacting with other magical girls, she has been changing very quickly in a human way.
“Good job.”
“Thank you.”
“…….”
“…….”
Although we made jokes and casually ended the conversation with Hecate,
‘The evidence really is lacking.’
As we shared a new perspective on the wound of the star, there were no more topics to discuss. After all, it was merely a deduction based on the new discoveries in this world.
‘In this changed world, and because of me, there are too many things that have changed.’
After that, I talked with Hecate about the purpose of the Goddess of Start or the final dragon, but there was no significant gain.
If only there were a way for humanity to coexist with the will of the star perfectly and without wounds.
“Um, um over there.”
“Yes?”
Hecate seemed restless since around the end of our conversation. Her eyes were anxiously glancing outside the window.
‘Huh? Just a normal sunset.’
Before I knew it, our conversation had gone on until the sunset began. I could softly hear the sounds of preparing dinner echoing from the plaza restaurant.
“Hey, guys! The ingredient preparation is over!”
“Can you bring more potato cell Taiwan?”
“Ah, I’m sorry for just being given food, but is there anything I can help with?”
“Haha, it’s okay! Uncle.”
Sounds of daily life.
Hecate’s strained sounds.
“…Sigh.”
Seemingly at her wit’s end, Hecate began to speak with a desperate voice.
“If the conversation is over… I-I want to play a game…”
“A game?”
Nod nod
With her silver hair causing a silver afterimage, she fervently nodded in agreement.
If Hecate were to go out for a rock concert like this, I felt she could perform magnificently as a guest.
I truly never expected this girl would come to love games so much.
Rather, I thought she would disdain modern conveniences and have very analog and refined hobbies.
“…….”
Wriggle
Wriggle
Perhaps due to the physical prowess of a Born 3-Star Magical Girl, her fidgeting hands moved as vigorously as if they were dancing tap. With those fingers, she quickly conquered numerous games, and there were rumors about her interacting with many gaming enthusiasts who were also magical girls.
‘Is that nervousness in her speech due to that influence?’
The meeting of two introverted girls.
Thinking back, Hecate has always disliked crowded places and showed introverted characteristics.
‘Her speech not being pronounced could be a result of only interacting with her serious golden-haired peers.’
Perhaps this appearance is Hecate carving out her new self as she finds what she truly enjoys.
Even if there seems to be a huge gap from her past where she mechanically executed tasks, it could be that this is not entirely a different side of her.
“I understand. But you have to take it easy since you must leave for a business trip to the USA early tomorrow morning.”
“Ah, I got it…! I’ll only play until 4…or 3 AM…!”
Whoosh
In a mix of the solemn tone of a Magical Girl of Revelation and the timid tone of an introverted girl, Hecate hastily detached her game console from the charger and dove directly onto the white blanket.
Wiggle
Wiggle
After gathering the scattered blankets around her with her slender arms and silvery-white starlight, Hecate created a nest and fell silent, establishing a strong domain of games that even the three goddesses could not invade.
Leaving Hecate like this on the top floor of the lighthouse, I walked around the plaza, watching the magical girls preparing dinner and the everyday life of ordinary people living in Elysion, pondering over how stars and humans can coexist.
“Hey? Queen! Aren’t you coming for dinner?”
“I’ll come in a bit. I just want to walk for a moment.”
“Shirogane! A new collection just came out; you should take a look.”
“I’ll check it out after dinner.”
“I’m planning to do a simple broadcast tonight; do you want to join?”
“I’ll just go to watch.”
“Hahaha! It would be an honor if you came!”
People engaging in conversation.
The evening scene of Elysion, which the Goddess of Start tried to provide as the last refuge for humans, was peaceful and warm. Yet, I felt a desire to share this sight with more people.
The relationship between stars and humans.
Is the fight over once we defeat all the monsters?
Is it necessary for the conflict to continue until both sides are completely silent?
In the deep chasm created between them… is there no way to solve the wound of the star?
I walked on while contemplating these thoughts.