No one—neither Tendō Kikunojo, nor the other nations, nor the individuals and groups stirring the riot—had expected the Holy Child to be burned alive.
They wanted chaos, to give her a lesson, but who knew the mob would truly dare?
They really meant to burn her, their madness beyond even their manipulators' control.
In the end, it came down to too many forces pulling without coordination—everyone pushing too far.
But it didn't matter.
Though unintended, she wasn't their people. And her death would strike Tokyo a massive blow. With the new world coming, it was one less to share the spoils.
They even planned to fan the flames further, to spread the chaos wider.
As always—they didn't care how many died, or how innocent they were, or what destruction would follow. Otherwise, who would bring Molotovs to such a crowded rally?
They only regretted that the "bomb" wasn't strong enough to blow all of Tokyo sky-high.
And what could Tokyo do afterward? Nothing. They would suffer no consequences.
Without consequences, why not act?
The only one panicking was Tendō Kikunojo, who had never expected things to spiral so far. He ordered troops to suppress the riot—but it would take time. And the mob gave him none.
A second Molotov was thrown.
It arced through the air, its blazing tail spinning into the Holy Child's sight.
The whirling fire grew larger in her eyes.
She closed them, ready for pain and death.
"..."
Suddenly—
A gale roared in, sweeping her off her feet.
No, not wind.
When she opened her eyes, a delicate face was right before her.
A girl with golden hair streaming in the wind, brows drawn, jade eyes fixed on the raging mob below.
"..."
Zeroy looked away from them and turned to the dazed Holy Child in her arms.
The moment she saw her surrounded by flame, the judgment had already passed—she had cleared it.
And so, Zeroy saved her without a second thought.
Once someone passed her judgment, she showed her gentleness.
"Are you alright?" Zeroy's voice was unexpectedly soft. "Did the flames or pests harm you?"
There was no answer.
Instead, the Holy Child clung to her savior, frail arms clutching with all her might.
This girl, who hadn't flinched at death's threat, now dropped all pride and ceremony, weeping like a child in Zeroy's embrace.
She poured out all the grievance, fear, and despair of these days.
"It's alright. It's over."
Zeroy soothed her patiently, hand stroking her back, warmth seeping through the cloth.
Patchouli approached without a word, amethyst eyes glancing over them, grimoire closing softly.
"..."
A subtle spell of calm settled on the Holy Child.
"..."
Zeroy gave Patchouli a helpless look. She longed to crush the pests still squirming nearby. It sickened her to leave them be.
However, she let the girl cry in her arms a while longer.
Destroying evil was vital, but so was protecting good. Magic worked quickly, but she preferred emotions to mend naturally.
As the trembling eased, as tears slowed, Zeroy gently released her.
"Wait here."
She dabbed the girl's tears with her sleeve.
"I'll go deal with some... pests."
"..."
The Holy Child's lips trembled, as if to speak.
She knew Zeroy's "cleansing" meant merciless slaughter.
Blood, fire, corpses… such visions flashed in her mind.
Yet, in the end, she only lowered her lashes, silent.
She knew her pleas would mean nothing. Zeroy's will and logic would not bend… nor did they need to.
The innocent required no defense. Zeroy's blade never fell on them.
The guilty deserved no mercy. To forgive them was to abet evil. Her kindness should not be wasted.
"...Alright."
That was her reply—the best answer.
Zeroy turned to the rooftop's edge, looking down at the mob still raging.
They recognized her now, chanting Kagutsuchi's name. They seemed to admire her, even worship her.
Regardless, Zeroy rejected them.
"My judgment of good and evil has three measures—intent, deed, consequence."
Her voice was cold.
For pests, she stripped even their humanity. Mercy was out of the question.
"To harbor malice toward the innocent is evil. To act against basic morality is evil. To inflict grave harm on the innocent is evil."
"If even one is absent, leniency is possible. But you fail all three."
Those failing only one shone white in her sight. Failing two showed black mist with some white. Failing all three, only black remained.
Note: malice or harm toward the guilty was not evil.
In essence, she upheld vengeance without touching innocents—an eye for an eye.
And nearly all present were cloaked only in black.
"No matter your past, failing all three means even vengeance has lost its justice. You are no longer human."
A magic circle spread across the plaza, and innocents were whisked to safety on the rooftops.
"And so, you die."
"In the garden, pests don't belong. Only without you will this world be beautiful—Flames, Reignite!"
A crimson meteor struck the plaza's heart.
Ruthless, without mercy.
...
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