For You This World I'll Destroy

Mystery of Pathfinder (1)

—4—

Alexandria, September 1, 2278

Children play cheerfully in a bright kindergarten. The sound of their spirit was heard all the way to the orphanage where I was on my chin watching them.

Separated only by thin glass windows, the children's cheerfulness managed to color the parlour's living room. And like a contagious virus, a smile splashed across my lips.

“Wooh, why is my Miss Pathfinder smiling to herself? Should this Chronicler book a meeting schedule with a psychologist?” ask Seraphina who just finished taking care of my donation.

“Badness. I haven't gone crazy know.”

“Chrysant, meeting a psychologist does not mean you are crazy. Regular meetings with psychologists are the same as taking supplements every day. They both keep you healthy,” said Seraphina who sat next to me.

Sera's blue eyes also caught a dozen orphanage children playing cheerfully outside.

“You sure you don't want to play with those kids for a moment? As the biggest benefactor in this parlour, sure, they'll let you. After all, the children must be happy to be able to play with a Big Brother,” asked Seraphina in a worried tone.

 “Not necessary. I'll just make them cry,” answered me who took a sip of my tea and asked, “But what do you think, Sera? Are the kids happy?”

Seraphina smiles, “Of course. You may not realize it, but ever since you became Pathfinder, the condition of the Orphans in the city of Alexandria has improved. Those who previously had difficulty attending school, now there are even those who can graduate High School,” replied the Brother.

“. Things like that are not enough to make someone happy,” I said who packed up and stood up.

“Then, what do you think they need?” ask Seraphina who followed her Pathfinder.

“Love, something that this hand cannot give,” answered me who also stepped away, towards the busy schedule that was waiting.

—+—

Days passed, I took off my black fox mask while in the headquarters garden and fanned my collar off tired. The inauguration of the city library, lunch with the Prince of the Vanguard Space Fortress, and the event of complicated and rigid formalities, uugh, that doesn't mean they can throw a shitty job at me.

“I want to coffee at Cafe Promise Heart, Brother want to come?” ask me on Seraphina who just finished taking care of my administration.

Seraphina laughs awkwardly and squeezes her hand, “E-Ehh, Big Brother. If you're alone, that's okay, right?” ask Sera.

“J-Appointment?” many wonder.

Seeming to blush in shame, Seraphina scratched her cheeks, “How yes, hihihi. Anu, right for 3 months Chrysant left. And in that free time.. I have a girlfriend.”.

“H-Ha?” my murmuring shocked all the young witches in the headquarters. Immediately I cleared my throat and glanced at another, “K-If you want to go, yes, please,” I replied.

Seraphina smiled widely and respectfully to her boss, “Then, Seraphina Chronicler, permission to ngedate first, Pathfinder!”

"... Bummer. Go have fun!" chrysant said give permission.

I also watched Brother leave. It looked so carefree that the girl stepped half-jumped, was it possible that now Seraphina was happy?

“... True too, Brother can be happy without me,” my murmur that slightly felt tightness in my chest. but soon I brushed aside the uncomfortable feeling and stared at the tall white tower growing in the middle of the Alexandria Space Fortress that was waiting before me.

Black Company Headquarters.

Far from the word office, Mabes Black Company was like a very large and complete library. The books are arranged in circular shelves like towers, connected to each other by a magic bridge so complicated as a labyrinth. Many witches fly from one side to the other, just accessing the knowledge that is so abundant, maybe looking for materials for the latest magic research or just a super fast free wifi ride.

I also remember my first day in Mabes, a whole day I was lost there. Panicked and confused, I found him. A quiet and idyllic hideaway in the corner of the seventh hallway. The secluded corner that led me into a classic atmosphere that calmed my heart.

The Cafe Promise of Hearts.

“Cappuccino yes Bang,” I said to the young barista who eagerly accepted his order.

Good thing, my favorite place is empty! In a corner of the room, facing a window that showed the full view of the magic library, I sat down and read romantic comics, releasing the saturation of my day.

Suddenly…

Hm? I saw two women in white uniforms, chatting with the hostel. The Apprentices, the students of the magic academy who were undergoing their apprenticeship in the Black Company.

“The rumor, in the hunt this time, Lady Nadja sent a message SOS.”

“SOS? Wasn't that message just sent by a witch in a precarious state? Where could the most senior Pathfinder have sent him!”

“Ssshh, don't fiddle with her nonsense. Itutu, who's sitting there, you don't know? My feeling, he's a Pathfinder.”

“Emang there is such a small Pathfinder? Wrong time you, he looks like just a Junior High kid who is cosplay.”

I smiled a little. Is there-just that Apprentice, they underestimated my sharp ears? Well, I pretended to be busy reading comics while listening to their gossip.

“By the way, you know that's hot again? Said the rumor yes, Pathfinder Nadja was sent to Junon!” whispered the gossip.

The gossip friend also stomped the table in shock, “Junon? A black zone that has not been touched for 1 century? Not just a witch who wants to kill herself there?”

Junons…

If I don't remember wrongly, before the Black Company raised the last seven cities in the world, humanity lived in various mainland cities. Junon was a city on the mainland that was once the center of magic around the world at that time. Arguably in its time, the city was Alexandria today.

But in one night, Junon is devastated by the strongest S-type Malice attack recorded in history.

The Reapers.

Malice who takes the form of a harmless little girl, but holds a powerful magic power. With a flick of a hand, Malice was able to destroy the highest mountain on Mars, Mons Olympus. No weapon or magic can harm him.The extraordinary regeneration power of his body makes Malice able to create a replica of himself to help him fight.

… Fortunately, the previous Pathfinders managed to seal Malice in Junon and drop her into Underworld. I was horrified to imagine one day having to fight The Reaper.

However, the great magic energy in The Reaper invites the Malice to nest around it. This is what led the Black Company to label Junon as the Black Zone and never touch it for a century.

So, what was the reason for Nadja to go to such a dangerous place?

Before I could eavesdrop again, a distinctive perfume scent tickled his nose. The sweet and elegant fragrance of the perfume, as if it were a mirror of who was approaching me. Immediately I covered my face with romantic comics, avoiding the sight of the handsome man in front of me.

Don't look at me, don't look at me. I want a vacation!

With a soft voice pampering the ears, The handsome man greeted me, “For a long time, Lady Chrysant.”

I also cleared my throat and made his voice heavier, “O-Ohohoho, it seems you are wrong, Your Majesty. I'm not the Ruin Hunter, but just an ordinary woman enjoying her warm Cappuccino.”

The man snorted amusedly, “Ordinary woman huh? Strange, how could a commoner like Miss wear the Pathfinder badge?”

“S-S-Sial!” keceplosan.

Slowly, the man took the romantic comic out of my hand.

“What do you want, Prince Arthur?” I asked to turn his face away. But so sweet in the eyes of the prince's face, it provoked my eyes to keep stealing glances.

Arthur Arpeggio Noctis is the man's name. He was the head of the Noctis Family who owned the world-ruling organization, the Black Company. Both Apprentices should know Arthur, right? But unfortunately, the Prince uses complex illusion magic that disguises his identity. But the scent of her distinctive perfume allowed me to see through that illusion.

The silver-haired prince curled his smile. His plump eyes also adorned his handsome face, with a mole at the end of the right eye being a matchless sweetener. How many hearts has the Princess lost by her charming jade iris?

And how many hearts are disappointed not to get love from the Prince? Counting on their time together at the Magic Academy, Chrysant could no longer count them. At least one of the victims was the Prince in the cafe.

Arthur read for a moment the comic in his hand and chuckled. Then showing the protagonist in the comic, Arhtur lifted my chin with his index finger and whispered a sweet word, Arhtur,

“I want you, Mr. Princess.”

“... I-iii, creepy. Don't come near me!” I said that I jumped straight away from the Prince's achievement.

I close my ears, hoping the Prince doesn't see it red as a tomato.