One-way traffic

"Even with special methods, I still can't do anything to you."

"As expected of you... as expected of you, you are neither from the outside world nor from this world."

A pause.

Accelerator, who was about to say something, froze on the spot after hearing Alice's words.

"...How did you know?"

It is neither from the outside world nor from this world.

The fact that Alice could say something like that could only mean that she had completely discovered the truth about Accelerator's identity.

She realized that the person in front of her was not a human from this world.

"When did people find out about this, and how many people actually know about it...?"

"Don't worry, I'm probably the only one who knows."

The blonde doll spoke in a low, indifferent tone.

Judging from her low voice and quiet demeanor, she has indeed returned to her normal self, Alice.

"Since that demon is not a being of this world, or even this universe, it shouldn't be difficult to see that you are not essentially a being of this world, or even this universe, either, right?"

"While it's possible that beings like sages or monsters have already noticed this... for me, it's something only I know."

…I always feel there's something strange and unhealthy about this mentality.

Recalling Alice's earlier words and demeanor, Accelerator couldn't help but purse his lips.

"Actually, it's not a big deal, is it? Whether they are from other worlds or other universes, it doesn't matter to Gensokyo, which is full of fantastical beings."

"That's true, then there's no problem."

He immediately turned around and prepared to leave.

"...Why leave?"

He felt someone grab his arm.

Reflection cannot have an effect on actions that are not malicious.

The fact that the person behind him had indeed grabbed him, ignoring his reflexes, was enough to prove that she wasn't approaching him with malice.

despite this.

Even if she wasn't acting out of malice, she was still carrying some other emotion.

"Why must you leave? Can't you... can't you stay with the other people in Gensokyo and think things through together?"

"You should know this very well."

Only Accelerator can actually cause damage to DO Apis.

Bringing other people from Gensokyo along on the expedition would only hinder him and cause more unnecessary damage.

Moreover, even if the people of Gensokyo could inflict actual damage on the demon of that abyss, he would never use this method.

"You...did die once before, right?"

Alice behind him said, word by word.

“I know very well that your body at that time, without a heartbeat, means that you were really killed by that monster once...is that right?”

"so what?"

"You can't go."

"…let it go."

He frowned and pulled the girl's hand away from his.

But the next instant, she grabbed herself tightly with both hands again.

"Don't you understand? You'll die! You really will die if you go! Why would you do this?! Haven't you already experienced death firsthand? You really will die!!"

The voice was like a shout, yet it was also mixed with continuous trembling.

That was a voice trembling with tears.

Accelerator slowly turned around and finally saw everything clearly.

The blonde girl who had always remained silent.

Now, her cheeks are soaked with tears.

"Why...! Ah...! Since you're from another world, why don't you just escape to another world! Haven't you always wanted to leave Gensokyo? Then hurry up and leave now. If you escape to another place, you can survive, right?!"

"...Do you think that demon won't come after me after I leave?"

Despite the girl's tears, he spoke without hesitation.

"Besides, even if that guy doesn't chase after me, do you think I'll just run away alone?"

because of this.

It is precisely because of this personality... this personality that makes people, people, completely unable to understand it.

His appearance should have been so cold, so fierce, that he refused to let any strangers get close.

Why... why do I have to consider other people's feelings so deeply?!

"I...I can't understand...I really can't understand what you're doing, you idiot!"

Alice reached out and punched him directly in the body.

This is already a malicious act, so the reflex will inevitably bounce her fist back.

——Boom.

Accelerator received a solid punch to the chest.

The reflection had no effect.

No, reflection wasn't enabled in the first place.

He let the crying girl in front of him punch him directly.

"Knowing you're going to die... and you've already died once... why... why can't you back down? Why can't you be afraid! You're clearly not from this world, why—why do you care about things that have nothing to do with you?!"

She probably doesn't care about what she says anymore.

Alice was now pouring out her heart, completely abandoning her usual quiet and composed demeanor.

"You really enjoy...you really enjoy being a hero...?"

The blonde girl who controlled the doll collapsed into the other's arms, gritting her teeth and trying to suppress her sobs.

"You're mistaken."

The first person facing her, however, did not hesitate to put her arm down.

"I am not a hero, and I never will be."

With his back to the bright moonlight, Accelerator took off the white coat that he had initially draped over his shoulders.

He then draped the coat over the girl's shoulders.

"The reason I did this is simply because it's what I wanted to do, it's that simple."

he knows.

He knew exactly why he was acting.

Is it because he made a big mistake in the past, and is now forced to act in order to make amends?

Not at all.

It is precisely because he understands his past mistakes and his past experiences.

That's why he wants to take action to prevent this from happening to more people and to further reduce such incidents in the world.

This is neither good nor evil.

This is nothing more than the actions of someone standing at the top, fighting against the entire world.

"As we've said, you and I are the same type of people."

He grasped the girl's shoulders and met her teary eyes with a serious gaze.

"That's why I want you to believe me."

"Believe me, I will eventually be able to pull this ridiculous and boring thing to that damn happy ending."

He said nothing more, and they understood each other perfectly.

So the first one went straight ahead.

Facing the moonlight, I walked toward its source.

I don't know exactly how much time has passed.

Alice stood there alone, and though she stopped sobbing, she couldn't tear her gaze away from what lay ahead.

Even if she is a magician.

Even if she is a highly skilled and powerful being who has mastered puppetry techniques.

Psychologically and physically, she has always been just a young girl.

Therefore, it is difficult for her to define what kind of feelings she has developed.

But there was one thing she was very clear about.

Even now, she keeps her eyes fixed on the spot where the other person left, unwilling to leave.

In the heart of this seven-colored doll wielder.

Indeed, a unique and unforgettable feeling arose within me.

——————————————————————————————————————————

Accelerator knows exactly what he should do.

Find that demon bastard, then fight him one-on-one, and try to get him out of this area as much as possible.

Even so, this idea is unrealistic and represents the best possible outcome for him.

Whether all of this can be achieved remains a huge unknown.

He walked alone in the dark jungle, relying only on the moonlight in the sky to find his way.

until a certain moment.

"Just because I'm too lazy to drag you out doesn't mean I'll tolerate your spying all the way."

"Ouch."

A familiar voice came from beside me.

At the same time, a mark appeared directly in front of it.

"This is astonishing... You, you're still alive?!"

What appeared before them was a monster that manipulated the realm.

However, Accelerator, seeing Yukari Yakumo's astonished expression, instead revealed an angry and displeased demeanor.

"Stop pretending, you spying bastard. You've been watching me the whole time, haven't you?"

"Oh dear... this is truly a case of being defeated without even trying."

Yukari Yakumo quietly covered the corner of her mouth, revealing a thoughtful expression instead.

Do you even know what you've done?

The smile on her face turned somewhat strange.

"That doll wielder is notoriously difficult to get along with. To date, almost no one can talk to her, let alone spend time with her. She can easily scare a whole bunch of people, even monsters are afraid of her... But she is indeed a very beautiful woman, and yet, you just let that girl—"

"Stop talking nonsense. I have no interest in listening to your rambling."

Accelerator, without hesitation, interrupted everything that Yukari Yakumo was about to say.

That immediately caused the gap monster to show a somewhat disappointed expression.

"You really don't understand a young girl's heart at all."