One-way traffic

Even so, Hatsune Miku could still see that.

Wearing casual home clothes, she couldn't help but smile.

"But it really is amazing."

"what?"

"It's really...unbelievable that someone like you, Yifang, would show such a melancholy expression."

Indeed, the expression on the first person's face now appears rather melancholy.

He couldn't help but purse his lips.

Do you think I'm omnipotent?

"Huh? Actually, I've had that thought before."

"What a joke, there are plenty of things I can't do."

It was a question that sounded like a joke, but he answered it very seriously.

This made Hatsune Miku laugh again, as if she couldn't help but.

It's actually quite endearing to see someone so earnest.

"Actually, there's no need to make that face."

"what?"

"...If it's one of you, I don't think this melancholy side of you really suits you."

After carefully considering these matters, the girl finally spoke.

"If it's one side, surely they can make a proper decision about the path ahead, right?"

"Because that's how you've always acted in front of me. No matter what it is, if it's you, you can always choose the simplest path. It may not be the most pleasant one, but it's definitely the path that reflects your own judgment."

"The kind of person I should know is one who can make simple and clear choices in everything they do..."

Is someone who can make choices in everything they do, someone who can decide everything simply and clearly?

If he could, Accelerator thought he would burst out laughing.

…yes.

That's really how I am, isn't it?

If it were someone else, they might feel anxious about making a clear choice, unable to choose the most suitable path for themselves in time no matter what.

But he is different.

In reality, it shouldn't be the road that determines him, but rather he who determines the road.

Unlike other walkers, the path that one person chooses will always lead them to their goal.

No matter how unconventional or strange the choice, he would ultimately categorize it as something only he could do.

One-way street.

This is the path that Academy City should have chosen.

—I see.

As these thoughts began to spread in his mind, Accelerator's consciousness suddenly understood something.

He realized that his past self had chosen a path he had never even considered.

He is indeed a villain, the embodiment of malice in Academy City, and an absolute monster.

But ah.

That doesn't mean that everyone else should be dragged into this pure darkness like him, does it?

That doesn't mean that innocent people should be allowed to fall into the same darkness as him, does it?

Is my purpose in coming to this other world simply to increase my strength and then find the Last Order to return?

No, it's not just that.

There should be something that only Accelerator could accomplish.

That's right.

"...I am indeed a monster formed from pure darkness and malice."

It felt like he was all alone in this world, the number one Level 5 esper in Academy City—

A declaration was made.

"That doesn't mean I can just stand by and watch others who are trapped in darkness die, does it?"

He understood something.

The so-called salvation is not necessarily something that only heroes can accomplish.

Even Accelerator, who has fallen into the deepest darkness, has the ability to send others who have fallen into darkness back to the world of light.

He can do this with the power at his disposal.

This includes Mami Tomoe, who is drawn deep into despair and gloom.

This includes Sayaka Miki, who is irresistibly drawn to darkness due to her own twisted desires.

This includes Madoka Kaname, who, influenced by her surroundings, gradually intends to become involved in the darkness.

This includes Homura Akemi, who has already sunk deep into darkness and is facing darkness and despair alone.

Yes, he is evil... but that doesn't mean he can't be saved.

If it can only be evil no matter what.

So what he needs to do is already quite clear.

"As a member of the villainous party, I will stand at the very top of all darkness and pull all those who have had the same experience as me out of the darkness."

At the very least, we must prevent tragedies like our own from being reborn in the darkness.

Accelerator has clearly defined its ultimate goal.

In order to prevent the same darkness and tragedy as ours from being born again.

…His path is different from that of the spiky-haired hero, but he will choose to save them.

In the darkness, we protect through destruction, we save through destruction, and we free all those who do not belong to the darkness from it.

There is only one road ahead.

The name of that road is One-Way Street.

One-way street.

"The things that need to be done are already very clear, aren't they?"

Hatsune Miku was taken aback, as she seemed to realize that the person in front of her had changed her tone significantly.

She saw it all clearly now.

In Accelerator's eyes, it was a pure and clear gaze.

That was the gaze of someone who had already found their own path.

"The things that need to be done will never change. Someone like me is best suited for destruction, you bastard."

To protect through destruction, and to save through destruction.

Since I can't change the fact that I am part of darkness, then... I'll go out and save others from within the darkness.

From now on, the road will be a one-way street (one-way traffic).

"...I guess I've figured it out."

It's unclear what Accelerator actually understood.

However, that expression is something only Accelerator could pull off.

Hatsune Miku couldn't help but chuckle softly from the bottom of her heart.

"Really, this is the only way that suits you best."

Chapter 125 The Day It Arrived

It's after school now.

…At least in terms of time, that's the case.

However, not a single school building was open, and no school was closed.

It's not that the school didn't let students leave, but rather that the school had no need to let them leave.

That's right, if no one comes to school, then there's naturally no need to dismiss school.

The reason is simple: during these three days, no one dared to go out anymore.

A thunderstorm is coming, and it will be an unprecedented one.

It will soon sweep through the city.

For the past three days, the sky outside has been completely overcast. Even when you walk on the street, you are hit by strong winds. Even driving is difficult to resist.

No one dared to go out shopping in this weather anymore; schools, companies, and even some important institutions all shut down.

The impact was so enormous that even naturalists couldn't understand what was going on or why such a massive natural change had suddenly occurred.

And so, inside a certain building.

Homura Akemi, sitting at the desk, turned on her laptop and activated all the devices she had prepared.

The remaining windows then flashed on the computer screen.

"...They're really going to pull this stunt."

Accelerator turned on his phone and looked at the screen in front of him.

Today is the last day before the Witch's Night arrives.

The outside environment has become even worse than it was two days ago. If this continues, it will probably be difficult to cope even if we stay in the shelter.

At this time, Homura Akemi had spoken with them by phone beforehand.

"Hold a meeting?"

"Well, I originally planned to have you all come to my house, but unfortunately, given the current situation, Madoka and Sayaka's parents definitely won't let them go out. We can only communicate online."

This is what is known as online live streaming.

Several people connect to the same channel and use advanced software to communicate, so it works whether it's a computer or a mobile phone.

Accelerator and Hatsune Miku downloaded the so-called software after receiving instructions from Homura Akemi, and then connected with each other.

Although it was called a meeting, in reality, all the necessary preparations had already been completed long ago.

"So, why was I called here too?"

She appeared to be in an apartment room. Sakura Kyoko, chewing on a Pocky stick with a hint of annoyance, looked over.

"I wasn't originally one of Mitakihara's magical girls, so it's actually none of my business, right?"

And why is that white-haired guy here too?!

Although she was filled with resentment, Sakura Kyoko could still see through the screen that the white-haired, red-eyed guy had a malicious expression on his face, as if a ferocious beast was staring at her with wide eyes.

She had every reason to believe that if she said anything else, she would probably end up being beaten up by him just like that day.

She didn't want to experience that unpleasant feeling again.

"No, you should be able to understand if it's about compensation."

The so-called reward is actually the seed of lamentation.

"Magical girls cannot survive without the Seed of Lamentation; they will gradually be corrupted by the curse."

"However, Witch Night is almost the most powerful witch in the world, and she is surrounded by countless witches. If you successfully defeat her, you might obtain a lifetime's worth of Lament Seeds."

"Um...this, this..."

Ultimately, it's still incredibly tempting.

Although money has no meaning for them, the Seed of Lamentation is as precious as the life-giving water.