Mephisto 21

MEPHISTO #21

tl by molokidan

215)
Chapter V - A Moment of Infinity

Sign: Tokyo Regional Courthouse

216)
J: We will now present the judicial decision in regards to the defendant, Rudou Reiji.

217)
J: The defendant
J: is sentenced to death.
sfx: zawa x3
J: The judges have decided that while the defendant's abnormality and inability to suppress sexual desires may derive from the mental state in which he was born,
J: the fact remains that his crimes were meticulously planned ordeals, and so they have determined that there is no possibility that the defendant is suffering from any sort of remarkable mental illness.

218)
J: Furthermore, when asked if he regretted his crimes in the previous trial, the defendant stated that if given the chance would like to commit similar acts again,
J: thereby forcing the court to conclude that the defendant will not better himself even if given a sentence in prison.
Y: Uuuuu...
L: Please accept my deepest condolences. It appears that my power was not enough...
Y(2b): No...thank you for all your help.

219)
sfx: kaaaaan x4
sfx: ka...
?: Hey, Rudou...
?(2b): This may sound like pointless chatter to you, but almost all defendants who receive the death penalty appeal to a higher court afterwards...you still have the right to do that.
?(2b): In 10 hours, the period of appeal will be over, so...you might want to seriously think about it one more time.

220)
?: Guess you've already prepared yourself...
R: Huh?!
R: You're...?!
sfx: gacha
A: Fufufu...
R: I've been waiting, Alma...
R: After reading about the accident in the paper, I knew it couldn't be...
A: I leaped just seconds before the explosion.

221)
R: So that explosion was your doing as well?
A: Forget about that for now...how about leaping once more with me?
R: Alright...
A: Where do you want to go?
R(2b): I can't get Youko out of my mind...I want to see her future.
A: I thought so...
A: There's one condition, though.
A: I won't allow you to come face to face with her.
R: Understood.
A(2b): Okay then...that's all you need to worry about.

222)
sfx: pon!

223)
sfx: pon!
Y: Reiji!
Y: Mama's going out shopping for a bit, so keep an eye on the house for me!
R: Okay!

224)
R: Oh...so she has a child...
A: And named him after you...
R: I suppose it's normal for her to have a child or two after ten years...
A: She seems rather happy, doesn't she...?
A: Relieved?
R: I don't know who her husband is, but it looks like I'm completely out of the picture.
R(2b): This may sound a little like I'm having trouble letting go...but can you go meet with her for me?!
A: Sure.

225)
Y: I never thought I'd see you again in a place like this...
A: It has been 10 years, hasn't it...?
Y: I don't know who you are or where you're from, but I always wished I could meet you once more in order to properly thank you.
Y: Thanks to you reuniting me with Rudou-kun that night,
Y: I was able to receive the joy I have now...
A: Which means...?
Y: My only son, Reiji, was conceived then...
A: That can't be...
Y: Huh...what do you mean?
Y: Don't worry, there's no mistaking it.

226)
Y(2b): I have a proper job now, too...and even though it's just the two of us, every day is filled with happiness.
A: How could conception be possible without the physical intermingling of two bodies...?
A: I have no choice but to believe, though...
A: That in this universe, there still exists greater powers that even I cannot perceive...
A: How should I explain this to Rudou...?
A: No...it's probably better for him if I keep quiet...

227)
R(2b): I see...so the three of them are living happily together...
R: In a world without any disconnected from me...
R: Alright...I have no regrets now.
A: If you really feel that way, then you should be able to escape.
R(3b): Escape...and then what?! Creep through the world like a rat for the rest of my life, only to finally turn into a decrepit old man and rot away?!
R: No thanks...
A: Do you have some kind of plan...?

228)
A: "The Philosopher's Stone?!"
R: I'm going to bet everything on this final chance.
R: Even though we only leaped a few times, I think I've gotten the hang of it.
R: All that's left for me now is to trusted in my sharpened concentration...
R: To manifest the energy of my consciousness, which is eternally aiming towards contact with the outer realm, to its maximum limit,
R: under the objective world's contradicting hypotheses, which aim to thwart it...that's my theory...
A: In other words, in the moment you die as a result of the death penalty...
A: You're going to attempt to invert that "moment" into "infinity."

229)
A: That's quite a groundbreaking experiment.
R: I have confidence in it.
R(2b): But in order for success, I need to use these remaining days until my execution to separate myself from daily life and begin meditating. Until the end, I won't be able to meet with you.
A: Okay.
A: If you succeed, where are you planning to leap to?
R(2b): Oh yeah...the medieval ages, definitely...
R: The culture of the Dark Ages fits my nature more than other...
A: I'll pray for you.
R: Thank you.
R: If everything goes right, I'll be sure to summon you time to time during my invocations.
A: Go right ahead...
A(2b): I'll come flying in from anywhere...fufufu...

230)
sfx: ga
sfx: taaaaaaan!

231)
The 15th Century
Brittany, France

232)
1: The military commander of Jeanne d'Arc, who once emitted brilliant beams of light around the nation, Baron Gilles de Rais, later became infamous for his unscrupulous and lewd habits, earning himself the nickname "Bluebeard."
2: In September of 1440, Gilles de Rais was interrogated under prosecuted on charges of murder, sodomy, child killings, and heresy. Some theorists believe the man's incrimination was a conspiracy of the Duke of Brittany, who later claimed all of the Baron's land.

233)
1: According to historical records, Gilles, who was never known for showing respect to traditional customs or morals, started to gain interest in alchemy and astrology. Later, in order to perform numerous demonic rites, he partnered with a magician named Francesco Prelati, and is said to have abducted, tortured, and killed over 200 children...
2: On October 26, 1446 he was hung with his accomplice.
3: Even today, the process of how Gilles' character diverged from his previously honorable self is still unclear...
M: Hooo...

234)
M(2b): Nakashima-kun! Can you go buy me some Piron?
N: Sure.
N: But do you really think there will be a pharmacy open this late?
M: You won't know for sure unless you go look, now will you?!
N: Yeah...
N: Tch!
N: I knew it, it's closed...
N: I wonder if there are any other places still open...

235)
N: Huh?
N: I don't remember there ever being a pharmacy here...
N: Excuse me...
A: Welcome!
N: Ah!
N: Uh-ummm...
N: Pi...
N: Piron, please!
A: Sure thing.
A: That'll be 700 yen.
Box: Anti-Sleep/Anti-Lethargy
Piron Internal Medication

236)
A: Thank you very much!

Mephisto[2] / End