Chapter 107

5. The ●●● God

By the time we emerged from the scorched underground shelter and reached the surface, night had already fallen.

The ambulance that had rushed over transported Miwasaki, while a swarm of black-suited agents dispatched from the Ministry of Divine Affairs surged into the shelter as we exited, and I was placed into a vehicle sent by my grandfather.

Everything moved in a smooth flow, and I had no choice but to surrender myself to it.

The nightscape outside the car window shifted from the clean lights of the office district to the lurid neon of the entertainment quarter, before fading into the darkness.

The car stopped in front of a hospital.

The ward building gleamed brightly, as if gathering bundles of light.

My frail mother had been hospitalized here many times in the past. Whenever I stayed overnight, Kirima and Uyuu were always there with me. I remember looking up at their faces while listening to my mother's breathing in the indigo room swallowed by night.

Katagishi and Rokuhara appeared at the hospital entrance.

"Miwasaki is seriously injured, but they say his life isn't in danger."

Rokuhara gave the short report, and Katagishi glared at him.

"Your watch didn't help at all, huh?"

"I let them through because it was Kirima and the others. He told me, 'If things stay like this, we'll all be killed. If you don't want that, guide us.'"

"And you just believed him like an idiot?"

"In the end, it saved us, didn't it?"

Katagishi let out a sigh tinged with exasperation.

The tip of a cane struck the asphalt, producing a cold sound. When we turned around, my grandfather stood there, cloaked in black hat and coat, blending into the darkness.

I straightened my posture. Grandfather ignored Katagishi and the others and walked straight toward me.

"Rei, did you see it in the shelter?"

I nodded with my chin lowered. Grandfather pulled his hat low over his eyes.

"The one residing there is the god we've been protecting, the origin of Territorial Divine Offenses, the god of the nation's birth."

"The origin of Territorial Divine Offenses...?"

I heard Katagishi and the others gasp.

"The god of the nation's birth has, since ancient times, created various gods endowed with wisdom to protect Japan from external threats. Without her, the Cold War would have escalated into World War III, and Japan would have suffered greatly. The Ministry of Divine Affairs was formed to protect her, the core of this country."

"The core of the country..."

I echoed my grandfather's words. Ever since the Kindling God vanished, the flames that had seared my mind began to calm, and cold, clear memories slowly returned.

When I was in the Ministry of Divine Affairs, I saw the god of the nation's birth. The despair I felt then was different from the irrational fear I experienced in the shelter today. I realized that everyday life had already been overwritten by abnormality since before I was born. It was resignation. This country had long been under the dominion of gods.

My grandfather swallowed. The Adam's apple on his wrinkled neck writhed like a separate creature.

"But there was a being that threatened her. The God Who Is There."

"The god that looked like a sliding door underground?"

"Yes. A powerful Territorial Divine Offense that alters reality according to human desire. What's more terrifying is that it places the user under its control. Do you understand what that means?"

"That by thinking you're using the God Who Is There, you end up reshaping the world according to the god's will?"

"Smart child. The one who became a servant of the God Who Is There was Kirima—no, you already know. Uyuu Sadahito."

I suppressed my shock and clenched my fists.

"What... is he trying to do?"

"I don't know either. There's no way to verify the differences caused by the God Who Is There's alterations. It took me time to realize I'd been deceived too. What's certain is that he erased your father, took his place, and turned the special investigation division to his own ends."

My grandfather spoke gloomily, his expression hidden by the brim of his hat.

"The god of the nation's birth attempted to create a god capable of erasing the God Who Is There. After many failures, the Kindling God was finally born. But it was more unstable than we imagined. I regret exposing you to danger."

His bony, hard hand gripped my shoulder. Behind his shoulder, Katagishi wore a face clouded with doubt and unease.

"But the true culprits are Uyuu and Umemura Mamoru. As soon as they learned of the Kindling God's existence, they tried to use it to eliminate investigators who showed disloyalty. Early this morning, Esato Junichi also suffered severe burns at home and was rushed to the hospital."

"No way, even Esato-san!"

"He's fortunately alive, but he won't be moving for a while. He's from the same hometown as your father. He probably feared Esato might hint the truth to you."

I recalled the words Esato had once let slip. Kirima is gone. He had definitely said that.

"Were there others who were harmed?"

"Akitsu."

"Wait, Akitsu? Is she okay?"

Katagishi cut in. Grandfather gave him a cold glance, then turned back to me. After a moment of silence, his heavy lips parted.

"There were three charred corpses in the shelter. The autopsy just finished. They confirmed it was Sumida Sakura, Fukagawa Yukio, and Akitsu Mika."

Katagishi staggered back. Rokuhara caught him as he nearly collapsed.

I shook my head.

"That's a lie, right? Isn't it, Grandpa?"

"I understand it's hard to believe. I know you and she were close. But what we must do now is stop the damage from spreading."

"Damage..."

"Uyuu and Umemura are heading to Mount Fudaraku. They intend to use the Unseen God to erase those who know the truth. We must stop them. Will you come too?"

I took a deep breath and nodded. Katagishi leaned forward.

"Let us come too."

Grandfather gave him a puzzled look. Rokuhara, still expressionless, interjected.

"If it's true, then we're in danger too. We have the right to accompany you."

"...Very well."

Grandfather nodded with a grimace and changed his tone.

"By the way, Rei. Have you remembered anything from your time in the Ministry of Divine Affairs?"

A faint numbness ran down my spine. I replied vaguely, trying not to let it show.

"My head's still fuzzy. Just a little..."

"I see. I thought your old notes from that time might offer a clue."

He pulled a torn page from a lined notebook out of his coat pocket. My messy handwriting was scrawled across it.

The ●●● God. Originally referred to a miraculous god who appeared in human form in this world.

I said I didn't remember. Grandfather showed a trace of disappointment, but quickly masked it.

"Tell me if you remember. Sorry for the rush, but the situation is grave. I'll arrange a car immediately."

Grandfather turned on his heel and walked away, tapping his cane on the ground.

Katagishi ran over to me.

"Do you think what he said was true? About Uyuu Sadahito, the god of the nation's birth, and Akitsu..."

"I don't know Uyuu Sadahito's true intentions. But whether what Grandpa said is true or not... neither side may be our ally."

The cold spring night wind brushed against my skin. I was sure my grandfather had no expectations of me. He only wanted the information I carried.

The same disappointment that had crushed me when I saw the god of the nation's birth weighed down on me again. No one must know what I've remembered.

A crescent moon, sharpened by the night wind, looked down on me.