Chapter 34 - The Watchers: Sefirot

Self-edited.

Dimensional connection: stable.

Initiating item transfer from “Rune” to “Cradle”… Transfer complete.

Proceeding to disengage dimensional link.

Ouroboros: Connected.

Trinity: Disconnected.

Providence: Shutdown.

<ruby>Ritual <rt>Program</rt></ruby> “Ark” has been completed.

The synthetic voice of a woman calmly announced the end of the ritual.

§ §

The tension in the room eased instantly.

In a dimly lit room within a tower in Roppongi, ten figures gathered. Well, not quite. Eight of them were mere projections, like holograms, and weren’t physically present. However, it wasn’t done through science, but magic.

They were the Sefirot, the top ten mages of the magical society, Liberty Smith.

The man seated at the center of the round table, Keter, spoke up, “The ritual has concluded. I shall report to the Grand Master. Everyone, please wait for a moment.”

And with that, Keter vanished.

—The way that leader of us teleports, you’d think he’s sneaking off to the bathroom.

Hokhmah, who was in the room with him, was impressed by Keter’s skill. And since the ritual had ended and their leader had left, the atmosphere in the room became even more relaxed.

“Looks like the ‘Ark’ ritual is running a lot smoother now, huh?” Remarked Malkhut, always the first to break the silence at such a time like this.

Hokhmah didn’t quite get along with him, but she agreed. Others chimed in with agreement too.

“We’re getting together so often lately, it’s starting to be a bit of a problem~” Malkhut laughed, clearly not bothered at all.

“You’ve got it easy, don’t you?” Hokhmah muttered venomously.

“Hey, if that’s how it is, why not consider retiring, Hokhmah? Being a big shot in the underworld must get pretty exhausting, right~?”

“Malkhut… you’re a bit noisy. Hokhmah… is tired. The rituals, indeed… are quite numerous,” Hesed, the soft-spoken girl, murmured quietly, interrupting Malkhut’s attempt to annoy Hokhmah.

As Hesed pointed out, the continuous rituals were indeed wearing Kokhmah out. Because every ritual was happening in Japan, Hokhmah, who lived there, had to take the lead in the rituals. Hokhmah leaned back in her chair, eyes on the ceiling.

“Hokhmah- neesan …”

“If there’s anything I can do—” “If it’s alright with you—”

Suddenly, two men stood up at the same time.

“HUUUUUHHH!?” “What’s your deal, huh?”

And within three seconds, they were at each other’s throats.

—These two idiots are quite the headache. They’re cute juniors, though.

“Netzah. Yesod. Sit down.”

A commanding voice echoed through the now chaotic round table. Keter had slipped back to his seat at some point without anyone noticing.

The two young men, Netzah and Yesod, complied in silence.

—Thank you, Keter! You’ve spared me an unnecessary headache!

Hokhmah silently thanked Keter in her mind.

§ §

I have put you, the Sefirot, through a lot of hardships. Please accept my gratitude and apologies.

Given the critical nature of this situation, we have decided to station Keter in Japan. To alleviate Hokhmah’s responsibilities, Hesed, Tif’eret, and Malkhut will be sent to Japan on a rotational basis to assume this duty.

Additionally, the internal investigation of this matter will be handled by the main unit from the magic society’s side. The Sefirot ought to focus solely on the rituals.

“That’s the word from the Grand Master,” Keter concluded as he surveyed the room. Hokhmah felt relieved by the rational decision and the reduction of her workload.

“…”

Yesod, however, seemed deep in thought, eyes cast down.

“Yesod, if you have any concerns, please speak up. None of us had ever encountered this kind of issue before.” The vice-chair, Tif’eret, then urged him to voice his thoughts.

Yesod lifted his gaze to Keter and began to speak.

“Do <ruby>we <rt>Sefirot</rt></ruby> really have to be this involved in the matter? Just what exactly is this issue?”

The gathering of the Sefirot, normally a rare event that occurs once every decade or so, now happening with such frequency was what troubled Yesod.

―Yeah, figures that rigid Yesod would say that.

It was a reasonable point, and Hokhmah waited for Keter’s response.

Keter, arms crossed, stared intently at Yesod. “There will be no change in our course of action. And as for Yesod, you will receive a detailed explanation individually soon.”

With those words, the imposing figure with a gaze like a bird of prey and a mane of hair reminiscent of a lion’s finished speaking and declared the meeting adjourned.

—Well, it was bound to go that way.

Hokhmah felt a bit sorry for Yesod but kept her thoughts to herself.

§ §

“Well then, I’ll be on my way.”

“…Hokhmah, please wait a moment.”

Just as Hokhmah was about to head home after the meeting following the ritual, Keter stopped her.

“Yes? What is it, Keter?”

“It’s about Yesod.”

Those words sent a shiver down Hokhmah’s spine. Her sharp instincts as a woman and her nearly prophetic intuition as a witch were fully alert.

“This matter might cause us some trouble — ”

“So, I’ll be counting on you when that time comes.” After saying that, he then flashed her a rare, knowing smile.

When someone with power speaks, even uncertain plans can begin to seem like they’re set in stone.

—Well, I guess it was bound to happen.

It seemed like Hokhmah couldn’t escape the troubles ahead.

T/N: Due to various reasons, regretfully, I have to inform you guys that I’ll be dropping this novel. This was not an easy choice, and I understand how disappointing this news might be. Please forgive me and thank you for your patience and support.

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