What exactly did Beatrice mean by "Chroma"?
The question had only just crossed my mind when a familiar voice, filled with astonishment, rang out.
"Madam, what are you trying to do? Have you truly been consumed by hatred to the point that you can no longer think rationally?" - Golconde
"But of course!" - Decalcomanie
Another impassioned voice chimed in.
I turned my head and, sure enough, saw a headless figure emerge from the shadows, carrying a portrait in its arms.
Golconde & Decalcomanie of Gematria? Since when had they been watching from the sidelines?
And judging from what they were saying, had this situation also taken the other members of Gematria by surprise?
"I know exactly what I'm doing!"
Beatrice let out a cold laugh.
"Thanks to Sensei, I finally realized what I should truly pursue. Borrowed power will always remain borrowed. Only the power I obtain for myself is truly worthy of trust. The fact that you've come to observe me only proves that my choice was the correct one, doesn't it?"
Golconde fell silent for a moment before sighing.
"...Originally, after your failure, Madam, I had intended to take you back."
"Failure!? How could I possibly fail!?" she snapped.
"...My apologies. It seems I failed to respect your personal wishes. For that, I offer you my sincerest apology."
After saying that, Golconde turned to me politely.
"As you can see, Sensei, Madam has lost her sanity. Since I am not suited for combat, I ask that you stop her madness."
Beatrice was both shocked and furious.
"Golconde, so you really are betraying me!?"
"It is you who has betrayed Gematria's cause, Madam."
Golconde paused briefly.
"Sensei, Gematria will raise no objections no matter what methods you employ. On the contrary, we will provide appropriate compensation and an apology."
"Really? Then I'll look forward to it."
I answered absentmindedly, my mind filled with anxiety.
I only wanted to use the opportunity while Beatrice was distracted talking to Golconde to finish off the remaining mobs and find the right moment to fire.
"...Very well. Golconde, you and the others will regret this. Because you've become obsessed with your tedious so-called art, you've lost the chance to witness my ascension!"
"Madam, it seems you still haven't recognized your own place."
Golconde said disappointedly.
"But of course!"
Decalcomanie, cradled in his arms, loudly echoed the sentiment, making Beatrice grit her teeth.
"In that case, I shall take my leave."
After politely saying farewell, Golconde swiftly turned and disappeared into the darkness.
Beatrice gave a cold snort before calling out once more.
"...O Chroma! I long to become a higher existence, one capable of bringing both destruction and rebirth to this world! For that, I am willing to give up everything I possess!"
She raised her voice.
"The royal bloodline, the fragments of the Spear of Destiny's Mystery, my power of replication, the Basilica, Arius, even my own life. None of it matters! Hear my ambition!"
Honestly, I found her words absurdly ridiculous.
What made her think any of those things could fulfill such an unrealistic ambition?
Yet in the very next moment, an inexplicable chill swept through my entire body.
An invisible pressure made even breathing difficult.
Nothing unusual had visibly happened.
And yet, it was unmistakable that some existence beyond mortal comprehension had turned its gaze upon this place.
The silver ring on my finger also faintly chimed, like distant wind bells.
Then...
Beatrice, who had been kneeling only moments ago, slowly stood and raised her face as though bathing in a holy radiance.
"I... hear it..."
Her voice had changed, overflowing with excitement and joy.
"This beautiful melody... This is the gospel I have longed for! AHAHAHAHA!"
Before she had finished speaking, an even denser mass of black mist erupted around her.
Then strange, nauseating sounds came from within it, mixed with Beatrice's terrified screams.
"W-wait!? W-what is this!? This isn't what I wished for... Ah! AAAAAAHHHHHH!"
At that moment, the oppressive feeling vanished completely.
Without even taking the time to wipe the cold sweat from my forehead, I raised my trembling pistol and did my best to aim toward Beatrice's position.
Following my lead, the girls of Arius Squad opened fire as well.
Yet Beatrice's screams had never stopped from the very beginning, leaving me unable to tell whether they had anything to do with our attacks.
As anxiety mounted, it suddenly occurred to me that perhaps this was the perfect opportunity to rescue Atsuko first.
But before I could voice the idea, hundreds upon thousands of ominous crimson-black beams suddenly burst from the mist, which had begun to thin.
Protected by the Shittim Chest, I wasn't seriously hurt despite failing to react in time.
Saori, Azusa, Misaki, and Hiyori, however, were all blasted away without exception.
Beatrice, whose screaming had abruptly ceased, murmured,
"So this is... the power destined to pierce the [Holy Child], the power that will lead me to a higher plane... Heh... Hehahahahaha!"
The mist dispersed.
Six gigantic claws.
Skeletal wings.
And upon those wings, countless pure white feathers embedded with crimson-black eyes, enough to make anyone with trypophobia recoil, quivered along with her manic laughter.
Had my bullets missed?
Or had they simply stopped working?
"Do you see now, Sensei?"
Beatrice, whose appearance had become even more monstrous, gradually stopped laughing and spoke proudly.
"This is the new realm I have reached. Rejoice, for this incomparably holy form!"
You call that "holy"?
I dismissed Beatrice's ravings with contempt.
If anything, I was now even more convinced that her mind had deteriorated further.
But I had no interest in mocking her.
I hurriedly called out to the girls as they got back to their feet.
"Everyone! Are you all okay?"
"I... ngh..."
Saori tried to answer, but pain immediately spread across her face.
Realizing she was only forcing herself, I said nothing.
I bit my finger open and pushed it into her mouth.
As my own life drained away, Saori's condition visibly improved.
"...Healing power? I knew it."
Watching the scene in silence, Beatrice seemed strangely delighted.
"Against an absolute compatibility disadvantage, your defeat is already inevitable! Go ahead and choose a dignified way to die. Or perhaps... would you like to imitate the one you mocked and pray to someone as well? Hahahahaha!"
Who would do something that stupid?
After quickly feeding my blood to everyone else, I was about to throw those words back at her.
Then another thought suddenly occurred to me.
"Yeah... you're right..."
Facing those countless suspicious eyes, I smiled too.
"Perhaps... now really is the time to pray."
I took a deep breath, clenched my fist, and shouted to the girls beside me.
"I know this is sudden, but anyone is fine! If you can, then entrust all of your trust and affection to me!"
Filled with absolute confidence, Beatrice made no move to stop me.
She did nothing at all, giving me every opportunity.
The truth was, I didn't have much hope that I'd obtain a new Authority that would actually be useful in the current situation.
In fact, the people I was addressing were only Misaki and Hiyori.
Azusa and Saori had already reached the point where they counted as successfully conquered.
Azusa nodded immediately.
"I understand. I'll do it."
"As for that..."
Saori, however, hesitated, as though she couldn't give me an immediate answer.
Still, trying was better than not trying.
"...E-eeeeeh!? S-Sensei really doesn't have any standards at all, just like the rumors say!?"
Hiyori cried out with a bright red face, making a completely outrageous remark that insulted my taste.
"Why are you suddenly saying something so strange...? What does that have to do with the prayer Sensei mentioned...?"
Misaki wore a thoroughly bewildered expression.
Yet unexpectedly, she had guessed part of the truth.
Both of their reactions were fairly mild.
Though I hadn't expected that simply saying a few words would be enough, given my relationship with Arius Squad...
Then, my expression froze.
It shifted into astonishment.
Without a word, I took out the card.
The warmth radiating from it seemed to be telling me:
How would you know it wouldn't work if you never tried?