“…” As I was silently watching Maria returning to her house, I continued analyzing the reason why Zero decided to interfere in this situation.

I am aware that during the Suppression Therapy, Skulls Paladins are equipped with analytical and observational abilities superior to any human. Therefore, they are able to detect anomalies and dangers that a normal human would not be able to see. They have the ability to warn their Centurion when he is heading towards a latent danger during his mission. But no Skull Paladin has decided to use that ability until now.

Despite the faculties they had, the Skulls Paladins chose to adhere to my orders, always trusting my judgment and never questioning my decisions.

Something unexplained in all this is the fact that Zero was able to engage in a normal conversation without being so affected by the pain that Skulls Paladins feel in their tracheas when speaking. And above all that… He did all this just to save that girl’s life. Maria Reyes… Her presence and her name are still an anomaly to me. It’s true that it’s the first time we’ve seen each other face to face, but I can’t help but think that, for some reason, her face seems familiar to me. That factor, along with the fact that she appeared right at this crucial moment, made me think that she was an enemy. Before, I had tricked her to see if she had any connection with Alan Leigh, but after confirming it with my Skull Paladin, he nodded the whole time, therefore, she wasn’t lying.

A strange feeling of déjà vu, something whose origin I could not decipher, created my doubts. I only knew that… I had seen her before.

She is likely related to Zero, who protected her. In that case, my other Skull Paladin lied to me into claiming the girl was telling the truth. There isn’t enough evidence to say for sure that I’ve been betrayed. Maybe I’m just overthinking it… But I don’t want to leave anything to chance. I’ve seen her somewhere, but I don’t remember where and she appeared at the most important moment of our mission. Those pieces of information make her a possible enemy variable. And the most dangerous thing about that hypothesis is that my men seemed to be protecting her. In that case, I can test both of their loyalty with something simple.

“Zero,” I called him. He turned around. “You know her?” I pointed at Maria as she walked away.

“No, sir. (Hargh)”

“So why did you save her?”

“I didn't save her. (Haah) Her death would put our mission in jeopardy. (Haargh)” Zero replied confidently.

“Yes. It’s true. We cannot risk the world knowing us before time. But now, I have determined that her survival implies a greater danger for us due to her new status as a witness. Therefore, I order you to eliminate her.”

This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

I looked at him intently. I watched closely his reaction to my command.

“Are you sure, Centurion Sullivan? (Hargh),” asked Zero, neither surprised nor showing any other change.

“Yes,” I replied quickly.

He looked at Maria. A heartbeat later, he started to move. I followed him at a few steps distance.

“Miss Maria. (Haargh)” Zero called her as he approached her house.

“Hmm…?” She was already in her garden, about to open the door of her house.

When Maria turned to see Zero, he was already aiming his silenced weapon at her. With a snap, the bullet that was fired pierced Maria's right chest.

“Ah…!?” Maria let out a high-pitched scream, from the impact and subsequent pain of the bullet piercing her chest. Her face contorted in fear, confusion, and surprise at the same time. Fresh tears slowly flowed from her eyes as her breathing became erratic. A crimson stain spread and slowly dyed her clothes with the flow of blood that flowed from her wound. A small amount of blood was expelled from her mouth.

His message was clear. He shot her in the lung to give her a slow and painful death. Every time she breathes, her chest will hurt. With the blood entering her lung through her wound, it will be harder for her to breathe. Even if her brain receives less oxygen, she will still die from the hemorrhage. With this, Zero is clearly telling me that this girl's life means nothing to him.

“…” I watched the girl closely.

After a while, Maria's legs began to shake. Perhaps from the pain or the loss of blood, her body was losing its strength. She knelt down and then collapsed on the ground while pressing her wound with her left hand. Unable to contain her sobs, the girl raised her right hand in my direction while looking at me in despair.

My eyes widened slightly in surprise as I realized everything.

I approached the gate of the girl's house.

Zero lowered his gun and holstered it. I could feel his face slowly turning in my direction as he stared at me silently. However, my attention was completely focused on the woman lying on the ground.

I see. That's what it's all about...

A hurricane of understanding swept away the fog of forgetfulness that prevented me from know the reason why this girl's appearance seemed so familiar to me.

You are a memory from the future.

That was the answer I got.

Over 2 years ago, as I watched my hometown, which had been devastated by a demon’s selfish desires, being ravaged by a monstrous storm, I witnessed a sort of existential connection between my reality and this very moment. Countless lightning bolts illuminating the night that enveloped my destroyed city. The girl dying, lying on the ground. Despair etched on her face. Her right hand extended in my direction, requesting my help.

I remember that day because it was a turning point in my existence.

When I saw you that day, more than 2 years ago, dying on the ground, I was able to understand it…

The most important day of my life…

…My existential purpose is to bring that despair and suffering that you are feeling now, to the entire civilization that gave life to the demon that turned my world into hell.

…The day I decided to sentence the total extinction of an agonizing species.