Corpse March

Chapter 70 Epilogue

“Please, help yourself to some tea.” Nanashi gestures at the chair across from her for Haru to sit down. It hasn’t been that long since they’ve last met but already, she’s made a little home for herself in Takakumo. It’s surprising how much laboratory apparatus she’s managed to cram into such a tiny space. Arcane sigils, test tubes, and strange machines clutter the room in an organizational system that Haru could never decipher even if she had a lifetime to try. And in the center, is a simple table and two stools set up. 

“No thank you, I have a temperature-sensitive tongue. It burns when I eat even slightly warm food.”

“Ah well, that’s a pity.” Nanashi takes the teacup away. It looks comically tiny in her armored grasp. “So, what business do you have with me?”

“I believe your terms with Tsumugi stipulated that only half of the Papilio in Takakumo return to their Think-Tanks, correct?” 

“Yes, that is true.” 

“By any chance, would you ever consider capturing Takakumo for yourself and seizing all the Papilio?”

“No, I can’t say that I have.” Nanashi leans in close. “And forgive me for being rather presumptuous but that sounds a little like treason to me, coming from you.” 

“...Theoretically.” 

“Ah, right. Theoretically.” Nanashi makes air quotes with her fingers.  

“Also, theoretically speaking, you might outgun and outnumber the Takakumo standing military two to one.” 

“Fascinating.” Nanashi begins taking notes. “Theoretically, it seems sound. But that still leaves the problem of Tsumugi herself. She’s a magical girl, she could theoretically wipe out the entire Monarchian army with a thought.” 

“Surely you must have something in that bag of tricks of yours that can neutralize even a magical girl.” 

“Hmmm… well, I have been working on a magic sealing device. That could work, in theory.” 

“Then there you have it. Easy win.” Haru kicks her feet up on the table. “What do you say?”

“It’s… tempting, I must say. But I must ask, what do you stand to gain by planting this idea into my head?”

“I’m making a home for myself. I’m a beast of war, Nanashi.” She picks at her nails. “I wax in war and wane in peace. That’s just how I am.” 

“I figured. Well, overall, this sounds like a pretty stupid idea that I’m going to take to heart until I let it get the best of me.” Nanashi sighs. “Incidentally, have you ever considered therapy for your condition.?” 

“Therapy?”

“You know, like, professional psychiatric help?” 

“...the idea occurred to me once or twice, but I never really went for it. It doesn’t seem healthy.”

“Really? Starting a war is a preferable option over seeking professional help to you?” She has an almost whimsical expression on her face. 

“I dunno, man. Psychiatry just seems like it’s covering up the problem as opposed to actually fixing it.” Haru shakes her head. “And besides, they can’t fix anything because there’s nothing to fix. This is just my nature.”

“Well, whatever you say, friend. I’m getting therapy and it’s working out just fine for me.” 

“Really?” Haru raises an eyebrow. “You don’t seem like the kind of person who needs it.” 

“That’s precisely because of the therapy.” Nanashi takes a sip of her tea. “I’ve, rather recently, discovered that I actually suffer from antisocial personality disorder.”

“That sucks.” 

“It’s kind of a relief, honestly.” She adjusts her glasses. They’re somehow even thicker than Tsumugi’s. “It’s nice to finally know why I have no friends.”

“I suppose that’s one way to think about it.”

“I suppose it is.” 

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It’s an enchanting night. The full moon hangs high in the sky, framing Takakumo’s skyline with a certain ethereal beauty. Tsumugi drinks it all in, savoring the taste with a kind of reckless abandon. 

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”

“Yeah…”

“And it all belongs to me.” Tsumugi frames the scenery between a frame she forms with her fingers. “Everything the moonlight touches. It’s finally mine.” 

“You’ve come a long way.”

“What do you mean?”

“From the Tsumugi I first met, you’ve definitely grown much stronger.” Haru doesn’t pay attention to the scenery, instead, her focus is almost entirely focused on Tsumugi. She looks so much more beautiful when she can look her in the eye. 

“Thank you.” She blushes and coyly tries to hide her face from Haru. “Meanwhile you haven’t changed in the slightest.”

“I’m… not sure if that’s a compliment.”

“It is. You’re like a rock. Even if the world changes around us, I know I can always count on you to be the same.” Tsumugi wraps Haru’s arm around her neck and buries her head in her neck. “It feels like a lifetime ago since we’ve met but it’s only really been two or three months, huh?”

“Yeah. So much happened, though.” 

“Shhhhhh…” Tsumugi plants a finger on Haru’s mouth. “Let’s not think about the past right now, when the present and future are so bright.”

Tsumugi whispers into Haru’s ear. “I know what you’re thinking. This place is too peaceful, right?”

“...heh.” Haru nods. “Yeah, you got me.”

“You’re planning to start a war between me and the Monarchs, aren’t you?”

“You’re kind of scary when you’re like this, Tsumugi… I like that about you, though.” 

“You didn’t answer my question. Are you or are you not?”

“You know me too well.” 

“I would expect no less from my dearest. That’s why I’ve already beat you to the punch.” Tsumugi kisses Haru on the cheek. “I’ve been planning an offensive against the Monarchs for weeks. I’m going to wipe them out. I’m going to take absolute control of Takakumo for myself.”

“That sounds like a plan.” 

“And then after that, we’re going to revolutionize the magic of the outside world. Throwing them back into the anarchy they experienced when magic was first introduced to the world. We’re going to bring back that jungle-like world you love so much.”

Haru nods to herself. “That sounds… perfect.” 

“You’ll never have to search for another war to fight again.”

“It’s beautiful.” The entire world as her home. That sounds as perfect of a gift as it gets. “Thank you, Tsumugi.” 

“Anytime.” Slowly, she retrieves the dagger she hid under the table.

Haru was wrong about one thing. That part of her that earnestly dreamed of a peaceful outside world for Takakumo to join hasn’t changed. Tsumugi’s changed to be more ruthless, more cruel, and more temperamental; but that part of her remains fixed in place. And to see her dream come true, she’s willing to sacrifice anything. Even the one person she loves most. 

“Forgive me, Haru.”

“What–”

“Forgive me.”