Chapter 214: Chapter 9: When Fantasy Becomes Reality
The gods are dead.
From the moment the Gastrea brought human civilization to its knees, no one in the East or the West believed in so called gods anymore.
Prophets, priests, Taoists, monks they all vanished into the annals of history during this apocalypse.
"Miracle" it was a word Rentaro Satomi hadn't heard in a long time.
In the years leading up to the disaster, many had prayed to God, begging for a miracle to save them.
But in the end, miracles and gods were nothing more than the lies of charlatans.
Rentaro sighed deeply.
He hadn't expected that, after everything he said, the woman in front of him was still joking around.
It would've been fine under normal circumstances, but in this situation, making such an obviously false claim showed a complete lack of awareness.
However, just as he was about to say something, Nia Honjo pulled him out of the crowd.
"Where are we going?"
"Just follow me."
A little further from the bustling crowd, Nia led the group to a quieter area with fewer pedestrians.
"This should be far enough," Nia said, estimating the distance from the crowd. "If I reveal my power in the middle of everyone, it'll cause an instant uproar."
"Are you still spouting nonsense?" Rentaro rubbed his temples. "If you want to leave, just go. I won't stop you. There's no need to make up such a lame excuse."
"Well, it's understandable that you don't believe me, young man. After all, I've never shown you my power before."
"If you're going to be this stubborn, then " Rentaro's voice suddenly cut off.
Because a light began to emanate from Nia Honjo's body.
Her plain plaid shirt and jeans transformed under a mysterious glow, replaced by a unique nun outfit.
It was a striking blend of pure white and deep black, with translucent ink like patterns that hinted at the delicate skin beneath.
The veil on her head was adorned with artistic gold pendants, and a cross embedded with aquamarine hung at her waist, resting against her thigh, exposed by the high slit of her dress.
In her hands was a book primarily black with gold accents, crosses embedded on both sides, giving it a heavy, mysterious aura.
It was as if a character from a fantasy had stepped into reality.
Like a true miracle.
"What... is this?"
The Astral Dress had manifested at Nia Honjo call.
Rentaro, who witnessed this with his own eyes, felt his brain short circuit.
What was the principle behind this?
Where had it come from?
What was that transforming light?
"What, are you scared?"
Nia exuded a solemn, holy aura, but the mocking smile on her face completely shattered it.
Rentaro blinked, thinking he was hallucinating.
He rubbed his eyes hard, expecting the scene to change, expecting it all to be an illusion.
But when he opened his eyes again, the sight before him remained unchanged.
He was utterly stunned.
Enju Aihara, however, was ecstatic.
The conversation between Nia and Rentaro had been too serious for her to interrupt, but now, seeing Nia's transformation, the little girl was practically bouncing with excitement.
"Wow! Sister Nia is a real Magical Girl!" Enju's eyes sparkled. "Can I touch your outfit? It looks so fancy!"
"Oh, of course~"
"Is this what silk feels like? It's so smooth..."
Enju reluctantly let go of the hem of the Astral Dress, but her envy was palpable.
In her eyes, Nia Honjo had become the embodiment of a Magical Girl.
Chosen by the gods, able to summon a combat uniform, and wielding her own magical tool.
Though she didn't fully understand what was happening, it didn't dampen her curiosity or excitement.
"You..."
"Questions later."
Just as Rentaro regained his composure and was about to speak, Nia raised a finger to stop him. "Even though there aren't many people here, someone might've seen me transform. While they're still as confused as you, let me finish what I need to do before we talk."
Nia opened her palms, and a pen matching her Angel of Books appeared.
"Every bit of power comes with a price. By the time I realized that, it was too late," Nia said with a shrug. "I planned to keep this power sealed, but after seeing what happened today, I can't just stand by and do nothing."
The Whispering Volume flipped its pages rapidly, as if guided by an unseen wind, stopping on a blank page.
A pristine sheet, untouched by the past, existing only in the present, serving the future.
At this moment, the nun wielding the power of God took her first step to change the world.
She channeled her spiritual energy into the book and pen, and as the tip of the pen touched the paper, scenes from the future came to life in her drawing.
Rentaro and Enju eyes widened as they saw the image on the page.
In the drawing, two officers were struck by a falling billboard, collapsing to the ground, while the Cursed Child stood unharmed in the gap between the letters, kneeling in shock.
"What... is this?"
Rentaro couldn't comprehend why Nia had drawn this.
Was it a curse?
Since she couldn't change reality, was she drawing a curse and hoping it would come true?
"It's not a curse."
Nia spoke as if reading his mind. "This is the future. This is destiny. This is an established reality it cannot be avoided or changed. As long as I can draw it, it will come true."
"This is ridiculous!" Rentaro didn't know whether to laugh or get angry. "I don't know how your transformation works, but you're telling me what you draw becomes reality? Do you really think you're a god?!"
"I'm not a god. I'm just a nun granted insignificant power by God."
Nia closed the Whispering Volume and pointed at the billboard hanging in the air. "Just wait and see. When fantasy becomes reality."
The screws holding the billboard began to loosen, one by one.
It was as if an invisible hand was dismantling them.
Soon, the heavy billboard creaked ominously.
Crack !
It fell, right before everyone's eyes.
The two officers were buried beneath the steel before they could even scream.
The abused Cursed Child, however, stood unharmed in the gap between the letters, just as Nia had drawn.
The scene unfolding before them was identical to the one in the book.
Rentaro stood frozen, his mind completely blank.
"Why did Sister Nia drawing come true?" Enju murmured.
"Because Mom is a nun, God's agent in this world," Nibelcole said matter of factly. "She saves people with mercy or cleanses the world's filth with cruelty it all depends on her will."
"Sister Nia, did you... kill them?"
"No. There's no blood in the drawing. The officers probably broke some bones. At most, they'll be disabled for life and lose their jobs," Nibelcole said, almost regretfully. "Mom is still as kind as ever."
The sudden accident drew everyone's attention.
Even those who had seen Nia transformation were momentarily distracted.
"I was seen transforming. Their attention's diverted for now, but they might come over soon."
Nia patted Rentaro on the shoulder, leaving him with a final instruction before running off.
"Please rescue the child from the crowd. We'll meet at the destination!"