Author: Akashari	Original Source: Syosetu
Translator: Mui	English Source: Re:Library

Project GB is an official initiative by Re:Library.

“…Is everyone still alive?”
“S-Somehow, yeah…”

Momo answered from where she was half-buried under the rubble, with only her legs sticking out above ground.

The girl who had called herself War was long gone. Since she had no discernible magical presence, tracking her down now would be impossible.

“She’s fast at running away. Let’s hope we don’t cross paths again.”
“Um… so, uh, could someone pull me out now?”
“Do I look like I have the strength to drag you out? Where’s that so-called saint?”
“Over here, dammit! That little brat shattered my sword like it was a damn toy!”

Like a ghoul rising from its grave, the young man clawed his way out from under the debris.

He still clutched the broken remains of his katana as if unwilling to let go. Given the extent of the damage, repairing it would be next to impossible.

“Sorry to ask while you’re injured, but could you pull Momo out? I don’t have the strength for it.”
“Much appreciated…”
“Whoa, you look like something out of that one famous cursed clan¹. Hang on a sec.”

Clearing away the surrounding rubble, he managed to dig Momo out in one piece—though she was still clutching Daigorou’s battered torso.

Come to think of it, with her strength, she could’ve easily broken free on her own.

So this was what had been holding her back.

“Thank you! Daigorou is safe too! …Can it be fixed?”
“Whimper…”
“The body needs to be rebuilt, but the core is intact. That means it can be repaired.”
“Oh, thank goodness… I’m sorry for breaking you, Daigorou.”
“Woof!”

Given how damaged the golem was, it would probably be cheaper to scrap it and build a new one from scratch.

But there was no need to say that. Knowing Momo, no matter how much money it cost, she’d insist on paying for Daigorou’s repairs out of her own pocket.

“It looks like there’s no major damage around here… The smaller details can be handled by Amatsugami later. For now, let’s head back to the workshop.”
“……Oh, right. This all started because of Plerion, didn’t it?”
“Master, you completely forgot, didn’t you?”

We had originally come all the way to the outskirts of the city to chase down the fleeing spellcaster.

While the culprit had already been killed by War, that meant the weakening curse placed on Plerion should have lost its effect as well.

“What about the body? It’s probably crushed to bits under all this rubble.”
“Ah… Well, the guy already had a grudge against Amatsugami. We’ll handle the cleanup.”
“…Why do you think he was killed?”

Momo clasped her hands together toward the heap of debris, offering a silent prayer for the deceased. She really was a hopeless fool—praying for the peace of someone who had tried to kill her.

“That man was probably connected to War. And his target was likely the top Outlander—Amatsugami’s Saint… in other words, you.” (Laika)
“The original plan was to use Momose, who was afflicted by the curse, as bait. But since it didn’t work, Plerion became the sacrifice instead. That was their miscalculation.” (Kagase)
“…Because someone other than us got hurt, War got angry and killed him.” (Momo)

“That’s how it looks. She seems to have her own sense of justice. Do you think it was your fault that Plerion got caught up in this?” (Laika)
“I don’t know. I don’t know anything. That’s why I want to talk to War’s group so I can understand.” (Momo)
“That’s naïve. She wants to kill you. Do you really think talking will work?” (Laika)
“Even so, I’ll talk. Just like War wants to kill Outlanders, I want to talk to her and her group. If she gets to be selfish, then I’ll be selfish too!” (Momo)

I had confirmed it countless times before—she was an idiot, a fool, too kind for her own good. No matter how unreasonable the world was, she stubbornly clung to her own beliefs.

I had met plenty of self-centered people before, but only two fools had ever clung to such saccharine ideals. Momo was one of them.

“So, Master, even if you suddenly tell me to snap someone’s neck, I won’t do it! If you try something dangerous, I’ll stop you!”
“Yeah, yeah, fine, my bad. But don’t think you can stop me that easily. Next time, I’ll make sure to finish the job.”
“Do you two get along or not?”
““Isn’t it obvious!””
“If it was, I wouldn’t have to ask… Anyway, Momose, what do you mean by her ‘group’?”
“Oh, I’ve met someone like War before. Master, could it be that Ragna is War’s sister?”
“…Wait, Momo, are you seriously hitting on something that important right now?”

――――――――…………
――――……
――…

“That damn White… and Pink… and Black…! I will never forgive them…!”

Dragging my aching body, I walked through the slums, where a faint stench of decay lingered in the air.

No matter the place, the gap between rich and poor always existed. Here in Rigel, those cast aside by society had gathered, making it the perfect place to hide.

As expected, there were no pursuers in sight. I had pushed myself to the limit just to escape from the falling debris. For now, I needed to rest.

“Well, well… look at you, War. You’re a mess. Which brat kicked your a̲s̲s̲ this time?”
“…You’re as vulgar as ever. Honestly, it’s embarrassing to have you as a little sister.”

I raised my gaze toward the sneering voice from above.

Perched atop a barely standing house, a golden-haired girl with an absurdly large hammer rested on her shoulder, looking down at me.

“——Ragna, you…”
“What? If you need help, your sweet little sister might just lend a hand.”
“No, your underwear is showing. Stop acting cool and get down already.”
“Say that first, damn it!!”

Her face turned red as she hastily covered herself before leaping down from the roof.

It had been a while since we last saw each other—since “last time.” It wasn’t the most dignified reunion, but this marked our first meeting “this time.”

“…So, who did this to you? If they’re strong, let me take ‘em on, big sis.”

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Footnotes:

Reference to the murder mystery novel Inugami-ke no Ichizoku (also called ‘The Inugami Curse’ or “The Inugami Family” in English) novel from Kindaichi Kousuke series by Yokomizo Seishi.