1. Section 8 – “At the Edge”
2. (TL: Read as “kazuaru hazama-nite”)
3.  
4.  
5. Kazuma
6. This is...
7.  
8. Ciel
9. It’s very similar to the room we found hidden beneath Ishana.
10.  
11. Raabe
12. So... this is the “innermost part.”
13.  
14. Hazama
15. Oh? What’s with you guys all of a sudden? You’ve all got this shocked look on your faces. Have you guys been here before?
16.  
17. >We’ve been somewhere like this before.
18. Hazama
19. Really? Normally I’d ask to hear more about what sort of place that was but...
20. Hazama
21. We’re not exactly in the best place to be taking our time, wouldn’t you agree?
22.  
23. >Never seen it before in my life.
24. Hazama
25. Hey now, don’t just leave me in the dark like that.
26. Hazama
27. You’ll just make me even more curious if you keep it a secret, y’know.
28. Hazama
29. But... now isn’t really the best time to get into that, is it?
30.  
31. Fuzzy
32. Raabe’s right though. This is the innermost part you guys have been so keen on getting to.
33.  
34. Fuzzy
35. You brought those six keys here so you could activate the elements... and finally escape.
36.  
37. Raabe
38. What happens next then?
39.  
40. Fuzzy
41. You’ll just have to find out for yourself, right? You will, won’t you? Really though, even I don’t have any idea what’s supposed to happen next. Ahahaha.
42.  
43. Raabe
44. We don’t have much of a choice either way, it would seem.
45.  
46. Kazuma
47. As soon as we activate the elements, all of the mana we’ve collected will activate with them and accumulate around us.
48.  
49. Kazuma
50. Much more mana than we’re used to will gather together in one place.
51.  
52. Hazama
53. Will that be problematic for us?
54.  
55. Kazuma
56. There’s no reason why it should be. This is probably the perfect place for it actually...
57.  
58. Fuzzy
59. If you’re gonna go ahead and start it up, I’d let Kazuma do it. Since he’s a magician he should be used to working with mana and the elements already.
60.  
61. Ciel
62. Kazuma-san, would you be willing to activate the elements for us?
63.  
64. Kazuma
65. I, uh, yeah, I can do that. That shouldn’t be too difficult.
66.  
67. Kazuma
68. Let’s see here...
69.  
70. Hazama
71. You’ve looked like you’ve had something on your mind for a while now.
72.  
73. Hazama
74. I agree that Kazuma-san’s the best suited out of all of us to carry this out but... don’t push yourself if you don’t think you can handle it.
75.  
76. Hazama
77. If we really have to we can always looks for another way to activate them...
78.  
79. Kazuma
80. ......
81.  
82. Kazuma
83. ...No.
84.  
85. Kazuma
86. I can do it.
87.  
88. Raabe
89. Hey, hold on...
90.  
91. Hazama
92. Are you sure?
93.  
94. Kazuma
95. Yes. Please, allow me.
96.  
97. [a green magic circle appears, surrounded by the six elements]
98.  
99. Hazama
100. Oh my... I can already feel how the air around us has changed. Looks like you managed to pull it off without a hitch after all.
101.  
102. Ciel
103. Is this... activated mana? But this feeling, where have I...
104.  
105. Raabe
106. It can't be. This is...! Hey, Kazuma! Stop whatever it is that you’re doing!
107.  
108. Kazuma
109. ......
110.  
111. Raabe
112. Are you even listening!? Earth to Kazuma!!
113.  
114. Kazuma
115. ...Ah... it’s just like I thought. I was wondering... if that’s what it was...
116.  
117. >What’s wrong, Kazuma-san?
118. >Who are you talking to?
119.  
120. Kazuma
121. Who...
122.  
123. [a dark green shadow with veins and one glowing eye starts to materialize]
124.  
125. Hazama
126. Uuh, guh, ghh....
127.  
128. Ciel
129. Hazama-san? Is something wrong?
130.  
131. Hazama
132. Please be careful... Something’s... coming...!
133.  
134. [the shadow becomes fully visible]
135.  
136. Raabe
137. Wh... What’s going on?
138.  
139. Fuzzy
140. Hmm, I wonder what it could be～? What do you think?
141.  
142. Fuzzy
143. What about you, Rei? What do your “eyes” see? You can see it, can’t you?
144.  
145. Raabe
146. Don’t look. ...I guess that’s impossible, huh. Try not to focus as much as you can. This... isn’t a collection of mana.
147.  
148. Ciel
149. Raabe-san, Rei-san! We’ve got a problem.
150.  
151. Ciel
152. I’ve confirmed the appearance of the cauldron.
153.  
154. Ciel
155. But... there’s nothing around here that looks like it could be the cauldron. And if there’s a cauldron here, then who is the Observer...?
156.  
157. Raabe
158. They’re both right in front of us.
159.  
160. Ciel
161. Eh? Wh-What do you mean?
162.  
163. Raabe
164. The cauldron came into existence across this entire world the moment this guy appeared. In other words, that shadow... it’s the Observer.
165.  
166. Raabe
167. It’s also the cauldron. There’s no other explanation for this sort of reaction. This much condensed seithr... this is the cauldron.
168.  
169. Hazama
170. What’s that now? Seithr?
171.  
172. Hazama
173. You mean what Kazuma-san’s magic is activating right now isn’t...
174.  
175. Raabe
176. It’s not the elements or mana, no. It’s seithr!
177.  
178. ???
179. Ahh～ god, you losers took fore～ver to show up.
180.  
181. Ciel
182. !?
183.  
184. ???
185. Shit though, you guys sure have been through a lot, huh? But thanks to you I can talk as much as I want again.
186.  
187. >The shadow spoke!
188. ???
189. Kyahahahaha, just a shadow, eh... Well, I guess that’ll have to do for now.
190.  
191. >Who are you?
192. ???
193. What, you wanna know my name? You really wanna know who I am? Sure, I’ll humor you...
194.  
195. Kazuma
196. ...Yuuki Terumi...
197.  
198. Spirit Terumi
199. Oops, looks like you beat me to it. But yeah, the kid’s right. Don’t go forgetting it, numbskulls.
200.  
201. Spirit Terumi
202. Yuuki Terumi. That’s the name, folks.
203.  
204. Hazama
205. You were lurking inside of me.
206.  
207. Hazama
208. Earlier when we were fighting Saya-san, she said she had sensed something within me... I wasn’t entirely sure what she meant at the time.
209.  
210. Hazama
211. I had no idea that it would turn out to be something like this.
212.  
213. Spirit Terumi
214. Hyahahahaha! Damn, I didn’t realize you were so out of the loop, Hazama-chan.
215.  
216. Ciel
217. So you’re familiar with Hazama-san as well.
218.  
219. Spirit Terumi
220. Oh yeah, best of buddies, thickest of thieves, call it what you like but we’re rea～l intimate. In fact, I know all you guys.
221.  
222. Spirit Terumi
223. You’re the morons who’ve been running all over the city doing my dirty work for me. Hyahahahahahaha!
224.  
225. Kazuma
226. So you were... using us? Does that mean that Fuzzy-san was also...?
227.  
228. Fuzzy
229. Can’t say I know about any of this. I’m only here to fulfill my role. Really I’m just a pawn here.
230.  
231. Fuzzy
232. You guys are all just pawns too. But even the pawns are necessary in the end, right? It’s not really a game if all the pieces aren’t in order, after all.
233.  
234. Spirit Terumi
235. The trap over here gets it. And now since you’ve been such good little slaves so far, how’s about you do me one last teensy-weensy favor...
236.  
237. Spirit Terumi
238. And die for me, will you? Hyahahahahaha!
239.  
240. Raabe
241. I see now. We’ve been playing right into his hands this entire time.
242.  
243. Raabe
244. When Kazuma started the activation sequence, he wasn’t channeling the mana or the elements. He wound up summoning this guy instead.
245.  
246. Ciel
247. No way... Then does that mean the whole story about escaping from the city was a lie?
248.  
249. Spirit Terumi
250. Come on, even if I’m not that cruel. I’ll still let you guys out.
251.  
252. Spirit Terumi
253. All aboard the Terumi express! Now serving a one-way trip straight into the Boundary! Just make sure to keep your arms and legs inside the vehicle, or you might lose them!
254.  
255. Hazama
256. Are you always this egotistical?
257.  
258. Hazama
259. Things may have gone your way up until now, but we’re not going to just stand here and let you do whatever you want.
260.  
261. Hazama
262. ...It was wrong of me to bring you all this way when I sensed something was amiss, no matter how small it may have been.
263.  
264. Hazama
265. Looks like I got you all mixed up in something undesirable after all... I’m really sorry, Rei-san.
266.  
267. Hazama
268. But I don’t think I’ll be able to handle this one by myself. I’m afraid I must ask for your assistance one last time.
269.  
270. >Let’s all get out of here together.
271. Hazama
272. Thank you. I’m... truly glad to have met you.
273.  
274. >Let’s kick his ass and get the hell out of here!
275. Spirit Terumi
276. Ooh, someone’s a little touchy. That sort of enthusiasm is contagious, y’know.
277.  
278. Ciel
279. Assuming combat position. All eyes on target. Ready when you are!
280.  
281. Raabe
282. His form is still unstable. It’s hard to say if his existence has fully taken root yet or not.
283.  
284. Raabe
285. The reaction he’s giving off is definitely strong but... he might not be able to use the full extent of his power the way he is now.
286.  
287. Raabe
288. We need to strike before all of the seithr has finished gathering in one place. Let’s get this over with quickly.
289.  
290. Fuzzy
291. Go, go! You can do it!
292.  
293. Hazama
294. Are you ready for this, Kazuma-san?
295.  
296. Kazuma
297. Ah, uh... Right.
298.  
299. Spirit Terumi
300. Oh? You wouldn’t really team up against little ol’ me, would you? Heheheheh.
301.  
302. Hazama
303. Well then. Let’s go, Terumi-san.
304.  
305.  
306.  
307. Spirit Terumi
308. Guh, shit...! My power... no, none of this shit. None of it’s good enough!
309.  
310. Kazuma
311. ......
312.  
313. Fuzzy
314. Whoa. You guys really creamed him.
315.  
316. Hazama
317. ...I think that shadow inside of me... Terumi-san detached himself completely from me during the course of that fight.
318.  
319. Hazama
320. It’s the strangest feeling. It’s unsettling but also like a... weight’s been lifted, in a sense.
321.  
322. Spirit Terumi
323. Ha, haha... Hyahahaha...! Damn, that really could’ve gone better.
324.  
325. Spirit Terumi
326. I guess you win this one. I really lost to some lame spin-off side characters. Ain’t that right?
327.  
328. Kazuma
329. Yes. I... think that’s what happened.
330.  
331. Spirit Terumi
332. Heh, hahahaah! Yeah, them’s the breaks, huh. Tch, what a pain in the ass.
333.  
334. Spirit Terumi
335. Man, this sucks... you’re really blue-balling me here. Taking on a bunch of pussies like you should’ve been a joke.
336.  
337. Spirit Terumi
338. Sure screwed myself on that one.
339.  
340. Kazuma
341. ...Please send us back.
342.  
343. Kazuma
344. As long as you do that... I don’t think we’ll have to hurt you anymore.
345.  
346. Spirit Terumi
347. Ha! Hurt me? You really think you can hurt me? Hyahaha, you don’t have a lot going on underneath that pretty face, do you, kid?
348.  
349. Spirit Terumi
350. Don’t make me laugh.
351.  
352. Ciel
353. Are you going to continue resisting?
354.  
355. Spirit Terumi
356. Oooh, close but no cigar! This isn’t what you’d call resistance...
357.  
358. Spirit Terumi
359. This is an escape!
360.  
361. [static]
362.  
363.  
364.  
365. Kazuma
366. ...Ah. H-Huh?
367.  
368. Ciel
369. This is...
370.  
371. >It’s Ishana!
372. Kazuma
373. Yes, this is Ishana. It’s the same place we were before we found ourselves in that strange city...
374.  
375. >Are we back?
376. Ciel
377. ...It would appear so. This is where we were standing before we were taken to that strange city.
378.  
379. Ciel
380. But what does this mean? It’s safe to say that we took out the Observer but we weren’t able to destroy the Cauldron...
381.  
382. Ciel
383. Regardless... we managed to escape the Phantom Field.
384.  
385. Raabe
386. I still need to look into everything further so this is just a hypothesis for now, but...
387.  
388. Raabe
389. I don’t think that city was an undiscovered Phantom Field.
390.  
391. Raabe
392. It’s foundation was built on Ishana who had already lost its Observer.
393.  
394. Raabe
395. Using the power of Observation, that shadow calling itself Terumi must have found its way in and overwrote things when it took over.
396.  
397. Kazuma
398. So it was... re-Observed?
399.  
400. Raabe
401. That’s exactly what it was.
402.  
403. Raabe
404. In other words, we weren’t so much moved somewhere else as it was our surroundings themselves were changing before our eyes... That’s probably what happened.
405.  
406. Hazama
407. Well, it was certainly an experience I could have lived without and I’m still not overly sure how any of it was possible but...
408.  
409. Hazama
410. Everything worked out in the end, right?
411.  
412. Hazama
413. We all made it out safe and sound. Let’s be thankful for that, shall we?
414.  
415. Hazama
416. Ahh～, truly all’s well that ends well.
417.  
418. Ciel
419. Hazama-san. And Fuzzy-san, too. The two of you came back to Ishana as well I see.
420.  
421. Fuzzy
422. Bzzt, wrong answer. Really, did you hear a thing Raabe just said? None of us actually came back anywhere.
423.  
424. Fuzzy
425. We were all just sort of displaced.
426.  
427. Ciel
428. Ah, so we were. So then would Fuzzy-san and Hazama-san be considered foreign entities in this situation?
429.  
430. Raabe
431. There’s no way to know for sure what the Phantom Field has classified them as but... that’s probably the case.
432.  
433. Raabe
434. Neither of them are involved with Ishana.
435.  
436. Hazama
437. Hmm～, while this place does look incredibly delightful, I’m afraid this isn’t where I belong.
438.  
439. Fuzzy
440. Me either. I’m not getting any good vibes from the ambience around here. I don’t think I’d fit in very well.
441.  
442. Raabe
443. ...Once a Phantom Field has been liberated of its Observer, any foreign materials left behind should gradually start to return to where they were originally from.
444.  
445. Raabe
446. Here soon your existential information should be sent back to your own worlds.
447.  
448. Fuzzy
449. I guess we’re stuck hanging around here until that happens, huh～.
450.  
451. Fuzzy
452. Well, not like it matters. I’ve never been here before so there’s no harm in exploring a bit. Don’t you think?
453.  
454. [Fuzzy leaves]
455.  
456. Hazama
457. And there he goes. I suppose it’s best to just let him have his fun while he can.
458.  
459. Hazama
460. But more importantly... Rei-san, Ciel-san, Kazuma-san, Raabe-san.
461.  
462. Hazama
463. Thank you all so much for your help.
464.  
465. Hazama
466. When I was still wandering around all by myself, I was at a loss as to what I was supposed to do...
467.  
468. Hazama
469. But as soon as I joined up with you guys, everything just sort of naturally clicked into place.
470.  
471. Hazama
472. A lot happened back there, but I want you to know that from the bottom of my heart I’m grateful we were able to escape from that bizarre city.
473.  
474. Raabe
475. ...Is that all you have to say? I can’t say I’m very convinced.
476.  
477. Raabe
478. It still feels like you’ve been manipulating us this entire time.
479.  
480. Hazama
481. Don’t be ridiculous! It must’ve been fate that I ran into you when I did. I don’t know what I would’ve done without you.
482.  
483. Hazama
484. I’d even go so far as to say that you saved me.
485.  
486. Hazama
487. I’m honestly in your debt. If you ever need an extra hand for something, I’ll be sure to do everything in my power to help you out.
488.  
489. Hazama
490. Then again... I can’t guarantee that the me you’ll encounter then will be the same as I am now.
491.  
492. Hazama
493. Let’s do this the right way this time. My name is Hazama. It’s a pleasure to meet you.
494.  
495. Hazama
496. Rei-san.
497.  
498. >Pleased to meet you.
499.  
500. Hazama
501. Yes. I wish you all the best.
502.  
503. Ciel
504. ......
505.  
506. Raabe
507. ...We still need to head back and check the data to see if this was indeed the abnormality the System was detecting.
508.  
509. Raabe
510. We’ve overstayed our welcome. Let’s return to base.
511.  
512. Kazuma
513. ...I guess this is goodbye then.
514.  
515. Kazuma
516. Hadn’t you said earlier that you couldn’t stay for long?
517.  
518. Ciel
519. That’s correct. We’re still only outsiders in this world.
520.  
521. Kazuma
522. ......
523.  
524. Kazuma
525. ...I’m really glad I was able to see you again. Getting to spend more time together... it was really fun.
526.  
527. Kazuma
528. I feel like I know myself a little better now.
529.  
530. Kazuma
531. Thank you so much.
532.  
533. Ciel
534. There’s no need to thank us. We were merely here for our mission.
535.  
536. Kazuma
537. You’re as blunt as always, Ciel-san...
538.  
539. Kazuma
540. ...I think I have my own perplexing “mission” in front of me... nevermind. Hang in there for me, will you?
541.  
542. Kazuma
543. I’m rooting for you.
544.  
545. >Thank you.
546. >Good luck, Kazuma-san.
547.  
548. [static]
549.  
550.  
551.  
552. Kagami
553. Rei! Ciel! Thank god you guys made it back in one piece～!
554.  
555. Ciel
556. Oh. You startled me. What’s the matter, Kagami-san? You seem out of sorts.
557.  
558. Kagami
559. Well, what did you expect!? Almost as soon as you two got in you just fell off the grid!
560.  
561. Kagami
562. I wasn’t able to pinpoint where either of were for a long time...
563.  
564. Kagami
565. Your signals only reappeared inside Ishana’s Phantom Field a little while ago, y’know!
566.  
567. Kagami
568. So what happened? Nevermind, it’ll be faster to get the answers from Raabe’s internal data.
569.  
570. Kagami
571. Either way, I’ll get an investigation started. First you guys need to go get a medical check.
572.  
573. Kagami
574. And watch yourselves this time, got it!?
575.  
576. Ciel
577. Y-Yes, ma’am.
578.  
579. Kagami
580. I  can’t let you out of my sight for even a second. Geez...
581.  
582. [Kagami leaves]
583.  
584. Ciel
585. It would seem we’ve caused quite the stir in our absence.
586.  
587. Ciel
588. Let’s head to the medical room. I’ll go with you, Rei-san.
589.  
590.  
591.  
592. Hazama
593. So this is supposed to be the famous Ishana, huh? Now that I’ve finally gotten a good look at it, it truly is nothing more than a ghost town.
594.  
595. Hazama
596. ...Well then. I wonder where I should be heading next? With the help of those suckers, I was able to remove the chain that was inside me.
597.  
598. Hazama
599. I should be able to go just about anywhere now.
600.  
601. Hazama
602. At any rate, Terumi-san is right back where he should be. Although I can’t say I’m overly thrilled that he left me to do all the grunt work by myself.
603.  
604. Hazama
605. ...I would have been in quite the bind if it weren’t for that boy, though. Heheh.
606.  
607. Hazama
608. But still, what a successful endeavor that turned out to be!
609.  
610. Hazama
611. For me, for Terumi-san... Even for him.
612.  
613. Hazama
614. “End Gazer”... The One Who Sees the End. I can’t wait to see how this will play out.
615.  
616.  
617.  
618. Kazuma
619. ......
620.  
621. Kazuma
622. Ishana... All these years here, and I still haven’t learned a thing.
623.  
624. Kazuma
625. But... I feel like I finally know why I’m here... Just a little...
626.  
627. Kazuma
628. I feel like I’m home.
629.  
630.  
631.  
632. https://imgur.com/a/VfNvhRF