WorldEnd: What Do You Do at the End of the World? Are You Busy? Will You Save Us?, Vol. 2

by Akira Kareno

  “It’s not uncommon that intentions don’t match up in larger organizations. And surprisingly, the higher-ups might not think it a problem if outsiders will stop getting close.”

  “I see.”

  It sounded plausible, so he nodded honestly after a moment of thought.

  “Four hundred years of history is probably nothing to you, who’s lived for more than five hundred.”

  The giant doctor, seemingly unsure of how to handle a moment’s silence, made a strange remark.

  “…I spent five hundred years doing absolutely nothing; you can’t call that history. I’m not arrogant enough to compare the two.”

  “Such modesty.”

  “Bragging about how long you overslept is just shameful. And…” He faltered.

  “And— Yes?”

  The giant pressed him on with a smile.

  A cyclops’s smile was frightening. It was enough to make any child cry and, at worst, would probably scar them for life.

  Willem wasn’t a child, nor was he afraid, and yet—

  “…It’s nothing.”

  He waved his hand, dodging the issue.

  “Hmm?”

  The giant’s single eye narrowed, as though trying to peer into Willem’s mind.

  “Well, sure. Regule Air must be like a dream world to you. It would not be strange if you felt disjointed from reality, as if everything seemed manufactured. It may not mean much for you to hear this world is four hundred years old.”

  “I didn’t say that!”

  “I see. My apologies, then.”

  He shook his giant body lightly with a shrug.

  There was a knock at the door, and a lizardfolk wearing a lab coat entered the room.

  Out of all the races, the lizardfolk had the greatest variance in individual physique, but this one was a little on the small side. The short lizardfolk gave Willem a slight bow, handed the giant a number of documents, then left the room.

  “…The results of Tiat’s examination are here.”

  “Can I ask?”

  “Of course you may. Let’s see…”

  He adjusted his glasses.

  He read it aloud along with his notes. Basically, her physical development was appropriate for her age, and her health was excellent. The only problems were the heavy burden on her digestive system from drinking too much milk and that several teeth seemed to be at risk of developing cavities.

  “I’ll tell her to be more careful,” Willem responded, rubbing his temple with his finger.

  A few things came to mind. Tiat would exclaim at every opportunity, “I’m gonna grow!” and down an entire glass of milk in one gulp—and each time, she would end up coughing and spluttering. She also had a bigger sweet tooth than the average person. It was incredibly embarrassing to be confronted with this again.

  “Even the encroachment from her previous life, which was our biggest concern, has stalled at a low level. Yes, I believe she will be a wonderful faerie soldier.”

  “…Encroachment?”

  “Yes, encroachment. Without exception, all the girls are reincarnated beings, or rather, souls of the deceased themselves. They were someone else before being born into their current form. It can have grave influences on their personality and physical body when those memories remain or if they recall them.”

  Willem found himself perplexed at how smoothly the man gave the explanation before there was even a chance to think about accepting the explanation itself.

  “That’s more in the territory of ritual magic than medicine, isn’t it? Are medical staff nowadays dabbling in necromancy, too?”

  “All knowledge that can help in a patient’s recovery is medicine. Right?” the doctor said, the corners of his mouth lifting. That was apparently a joke.

  “Well, you won’t need to worry about rituals, especially when it comes to Tiat. She’ll stay herself. She’s in good condition.”

  “Fine, then.”

  —Something’s not right.

  He felt slightly uneasy, like a small bone was caught in his throat. But he didn’t know why.

  It sounded like he would have to leave Tiat at the clinic for a full day so they could adjust her physical properties appropriately for the purpose of one day becoming a faerie soldier.

  Willem must have looked blatantly uneasy when they told him they would be medicating her and using hypnosis.

  “No need to worry—it won’t hurt her. All faerie soldiers compatible with dug weapons have walked this path before.”

  When he heard that, he knew he couldn’t start raising a fuss over nothing.

  “I’m gonna grow up splendidly, so you better keep your hopes up!”

  Tiat gave Willem a thumbs-up with such energy, and he lightly patted her head.

  “I don’t think you’re gonna grow any taller after adjustment,” he whispered to her.

  “Th-that’s not what I was hoping for! I’m serious!”

  Her face was bright red as she insisted, and with a smile, he saw her off.

  A smile he managed, somehow.

  “I’m gonna grow up splendidly, so you better keep your hopes up!”

  What are we hoping will happen once she grows up healthy and strong?

  It’s obvious. She’ll go to the battlefield.

  Fighting as a weapon, being consumed, and eventually losing all her strength.

  Being born, raised, and completing her “life” as a weapon.

  This world is slowly heading toward its doom.

  My story ended a long time ago.

  And now, I have a hand in their end.

  “This isn’t a good thing to think about.”

  He shook his head lightly and searched for the night’s lodgings.

  4. One Outcome

  After a dreamless sleep, Willem greeted the morning alone.

  Physically, he was in great shape. But emotionally, everything felt terrible.

  “…I just can’t shake this.”

  Laying back on the soft bed, he let out a low sigh.

  It was probably this bed’s fault for making him think nothing but bad thoughts.

  The mattress must have been pretty expensive, as his back sunk deeply into it. It felt wrong.

  The canopy was high and had impressive engravings of giant dragons on it that also made him uneasy.

  This was the commander’s dayroom in the city of Collina di Luce’s Winged Guard Command Headquarters.

  It was a dayroom only in name, as the size and facilities made it a splendid bedroom.

  Willem had never received any education as an officer, nor did he ever receive any distinctions on the battlefield. But through a special (not respectable) circumstance, he came to hold the distinguished title of second enchantments officer. Upon showing his ID and an introduction letter from Nygglatho, he was offered this room to stay in while on duty.

  Second officer’s a big deal, huh…?

  It was only now that such a silly thing felt real.

  People in high positions typically needed good reason to be appointed to their offices. Without some combination of skills, wealth, or nepotism, it was unlikely they would succeed. This room was meant for those who had overcome all that.

  He had no idea how Glick had managed to put him in the position of second officer in the first place. Considering how there’d been no problems thus far, it didn’t sound like it was just simple document forgery or doctoring.

  Either way, there was no doubt that his position and privileges didn’t match up with his actual worth. Because of that, he felt sorry, because it was almost like he was tricking the honest soldiers here, making him feel ill at ease.

  “I’ll go take a walk…”

  He was to pick up Tiat in the evening. There was plenty of time.

  The reason he’d come to such a faraway island in the first place was to make sure he wouldn’t overthink with all the time he had on his hands. So there was no point in his lazing about in the room. He should at least take a look around this city, sup
posedly renowned as the melting pot of romance and legend.

  “I hope I can drag Tiat around before we go back…”

  She had been so excited, after all. He would feel so bad for her if they only ended up lost and wasting all their time after they finally had the chance to sightsee—or, rather, it would probably be a bit of a pain to drag her all the way back to Island No. 68 if she was dejected like that.

  So it probably wasn’t a bad idea to do some sightseeing beforehand.

  He chuckled softly to himself and felt a little lighter.

  It was only when he came to the hall leading to the front entrance that he realized.

  The townscape spreading outside was starting to grow black in dampness.

  It was raining.

  “Why does it have to start raining now?”

  Part of the ceiling was leaking in a corner of the hallway, and there was a big bucket placed beneath it.

  The buildings looked magnificent from the outside but were indeed weathered with the seasons and starting to show their age in some places. Boggards in military dress looked at one another and began asking where the wooden boards and the hammers were.

  “Well… There’s an elegance to an old city in the rain, so this probably isn’t too bad.”

  He could probably borrow an umbrella from the headquarters here. If not, then he could just buy one at a nearby gift shop. Then—

  “Eek!”

  His response came a little late as he was looking up to the sky, thinking.

  He almost ran headfirst into a woman who jumped in through the front entrance.

  In the few moments before his consciousness could react, the conditioned reflexes instilled in him began to propel his body automatically. It recognized the woman’s movements as an enemy attack, moved his body out of her way with the slightest shift, then slipped into her blind spot. As she was about to fall over, he set his aim on the nape of her neck and began to lower his hand in a chop—

  Just as he was about to do so, Willem’s consciousness finally held back his reckless reflexes.

  “Oops.”

  He pulled his chopping hand back, wrapped it around the woman’s waist, and held her up. “Eep!” She gave a little cry.

  “Um, ah…”

  “That was close. Don’t I always tell you to watch where you’re going when you—? Uh, never mind.”

  Willem’s habitual scolding tone had accidentally come right out of his mouth. When he realized that she wasn’t one of the little faeries, he cut himself off with a wry smile.

  He stood her up on the spot and let her go.

  It was a lycanthrope girl.

  Her whole body was covered with a light coat of soft white fur. Her facial structure resembled that of the proud wolf. It was only her pointed ears that were wrapped in the color of lightly burned straw. Judging by the well-made silk dress she wore, she was probably from a good family.

  Why had this young lady run, in the middle of the rain, into a military establishment? She didn’t seem like a soldier, but if the guards had let her through the gate, then she must at least be authorized in some way.

  “Thank…you…?”

  With an expression that suggested she still didn’t quite understand what had happened, the girl bowed her head politely. Just that one elegant gesture alone indicated she really wasn’t suited to this place.

  “It’s dangerous to run around without looking where you’re going, especially in a military facility. You never know where there might be dangerous materials.”

  “Oh, yes, my apologies.”

  He gave her a rough nod in response.

  “Well, I’m off.”

  Willem decided to leave immediately.

  He hated trouble, especially when women and kids were involved. He couldn’t just run away. There would be no forgiving himself if he admitted defeat once a woman or child asked him for help. It was probably—no, it was definitely because of his master’s instruction. He was living with his master’s teachings in his blood and flesh.

  That was why the moment he caught a whiff of trouble, the best option was to run away before anyone could ask for help.

  He’d always been told it was a crooked way of thinking or that his kindness was half-assed. He knew that. But anyone who didn’t have good control over their own mind looked crooked and half-baked by those around them. So I’m not wrong, and it’s not my fault. I’m out.

  “U-um, excuse me!”

  He was still there.

  His back still toward the girl, he turned only his head around, like a rusted screw.

  “What is it? I’m not gonna apologize for touching you.”

  “No, that was my responsibility, so I shall put away my blade.”

  “I see, well, I’m glad you’re so understanding… Wait, a blade?”

  The girl ignored Willem’s question.

  “That is not it. I have something to ask of First Officer Limeskin, so would it be possible to get an audience with him?”

  “Lime… Huh?”

  That name sounded familiar.

  The large lizardfolk man with milky-white scales. The very man who commanded the faeries and took them to the battlefield. Second Enchantments Officer Willem Kmetsch’s direct superior on paper.

  But now—

  “That big lizard is at war far beneath the sky right now.”

  He’d taken Chtholly and the others to fight off Timere, which had drifted ashore to Island No. 15. And there was no end in sight for that battle.

  Well, no, that wasn’t quite it.

  In principle, islands with nearby numbers were also close in distance. This was Island No. 11, so it wasn’t unreasonably far from Island No. 15. He could probably get there sitting two hours by airship. So it was a bit of an exaggeration when he said “far beneath the sky”—but he wasn’t going to bother correcting himself.

  “When do you think he will return?”

  “No idea. If anything, that’s what I wanna know.” That was the truth. “Assuming that they’ve set up encampments in layers or whatever, all communication is blocked. We’ll only hear from them when everything’s been settled. It’s doing a number on my heart.”

  “I…see…”

  Her shoulders and ears drooped. She was easy to read.

  “Well, if you need something, go ahead and grab one of those soldiers there—”

  He motioned with his chin to some boggards who just happened to pass by.

  He heard a clamor.

  The building began to rumble violently.

  Soldiers ran in from somewhere, grabbed the other guys who were there, talked about something in low voices, then the two ran off in different directions.

  Just by looking, he could tell there was something going on.

  And his gut convinced him it was nothing good.

  “Wh-what is it?”

  The semifer girl shrank in bewilderment. But Willem paid her no mind and grabbed onto the scruff of the neck of an orc who tried to rush past them.

  “What happened?”

  His question was short.

  “Th-that’s secret. Distribution of information can only be done through the proper channels.”

  “I want to thank you for all your honest, hard work, but—”

  Willem glanced at the orc’s rank. A foot soldier.

  He showed him his own rank sewed onto his uniform.

  “I am Second Enchantments Officer Willem Kmetsch. I am responsible for the management of dug weapons and the lepre—and the soldiers who wield them. Of course, I also have the right afforded my position to examine all the data regarding the current battle.”

  That was nothing but lies. Willem didn’t even know how much power his position had in the first place. He had never been interested, so he never asked.

  For now, he would simply push his luck.

  “I request again that you disclose this information. What happened?”

  With an empathic tone, he pressed closer.

  The orc’
s shoulders shuddered in fear.

  “We received contact from the first fleet. It was about the outcome of the battle on Island No. 15.”

  Willem’s breath stopped.

  Contact from the first fleet. The result of the fight on Island No. 15.

  The one thing he was desperate to know.

  Who had the advantage in the fight? When would it end? Were the girls still safe? The entire process had been hidden behind the veil that was the encampment. He and the others knew nothing. They weren’t ready for anything.

  What would happen to them?

  “In our battle with Timere—”

  Even if he did hear the end of that sentence—

  The orc’s face said everything.

  That was why Willem smiled.

  Because the inside of his heart was a mess.

  He no longer knew how he would face the result he thought he was ready for, the outcome he had decided to accept.

  So he smiled a weak smile, the corners of his mouth lifted just slightly.

  He listened.

  “—we have lost.”

  His vision went black.

  His knees gave out, and he collapsed where he stood.

  “A-are you all right?!”

  The semifer girl rushed to him. But he could not even raise his head, much less take the hand held out for him.

  What an idiot.

  Somewhere in his heart, another version of himself scoffed.

  It shouldn’t have been a surprise. There was nothing that was supposed to be shocking.

  Their chances of winning were just over half. He’d said that himself. He should have understood that they would lose in the case they couldn’t reach 50 percent.

  “Ha-ha, ha…”

  His mouth was still twisted in a smile.

  A laugh slipped so surprisingly easily from the back of his throat.

  He could do nothing but laugh.

  “…I think we should send word soon.”

  “Of course! We have a Mr. So-and-so waiting for us with his heart pounding!”

  “But…”

  “Given the sssituation, I ssshall grant permissssion to ussse the communication cryssstal.”

  “See, even this important person is saying so!”