Cameraman Never Dies

Judge was not even acting at this point, he was enjoying the moment. He was low on ether, but it was fine as long as the two people in front of did not try anything funny. All he had to do was keep up the high and mighty image.

The girl— Clara, according to his information— was not as easily convinced of defeat as the guy next to her, Percival. He was a man who had given up on life, and now makes a living through assisting an ethercraft researcher in her works.

But it was clear that he loved the girl dearly and was willing to die for her to live. Judge knew very well on how to exploit someone's 'weaknesses'. In his previous corporate battles, finding the enemy's weak spot was the hard part, and it was always a smooth sail from then on.

"So!" He turned and headed toward the girl, and he knelt near her as he approached. "Why should I not hurt Percival?" He was intrigued by what answer would she give. His face gave a twisted smile, which was fortunately covered by his mask.

Lucifer stood by the side, watching his master passionately. Even though he did not show it, he was also curious as to what she would say.

"Why should you hurt him? He is not a bad person." She was immobilized and was very weak in terms of combat prowess, but her bravery was commendable.

Judge stood up and cleared his throat, it was loud enough for everyone to hear but quiet enough to make it feel natural. "Your bravery is commendable," He clapped slowly, "As a reward, let me tell you about this man's crime."

That caught her attention, as well as Lucifer's. Percival was about to say something, but he went silent as soon as he heard Judge's statement.

"This man is disrupting the natural order of time, which is a great crime in itself, but he did it more than once." Percival went completely silent. He had no idea how he could turn the time back. It happened naturally as he died.

But to think he was up against an entity that defied time, he had lived a quiet life after he had fallen from power. And even in his prime, he was sure he did not do something that would piss off an entity like the masked man— recorder was it?

Lucifer just stood there, he was tasked with killing someone who could turn time, so he was offered a huge sum of two hundred sten. If not for his master, he would have stuck in a time loop.

"But," Judge continued, speaking slowly as to bring more weight into his words" turning back time... well, that comes at a steep price. You see, the universe doesn't appreciate being tampered with. It's a debt that must be paid... and paid in full."

He was still speaking to the small girl, but Percival knew where this conversation was going. Judge noticed it too, Percival speaking now would not be a hindrance to the plan, but it was better if he did not.

'Lucifer, restrict the guy with your will. He smust not speak' Judge ordered him. 'And don't let the girl notice'

Lucifer, not knowing what his master had planned, did as ordered. He exuded his will toward Percival in order to suppress him. Percival, who had just gathered enough strength to speak, was slammed back to the ground, his words not escaping his lips.

Judge focused his attention back on the girl, "It will eventually make the person disappear... slowly, but surely... painfully... forgotten by all, vanishing from existence... Imagine being forgotten by everyone you've ever known, vanishing from existence like a candle snuffed out.@@novelbin@@

Just like that." He said it in a villainous tone— as to make the girl feel more uneasy despite being paralyzed under his will.

He then continued on with his performance, "And do you know why he did that?"

Clara was silent, she was unable to speak. Percival was meddling with time, she was not old enough to understand what it meant, but she knew it was something severe. And the cost was just disappearing? And I would forget him? No! I will never forget Percival!

Percival was trying his hard to get up, he at least needed to speak and try to convince Clara that it was okay.

Judge knew that his speech had hit the mark, he twisted smile was getting more villainous. He just needed a final push. "He did all of that just for you..." He paused for a brief moment before continuing, "Because you kept disobeying him and running off... Because you kept dying... he had no choice but to turn back time."

Clara was having a mental breakdown when she heard that, Judge could have stopped there, but one more final push would end his trouble.

"And because of you..." He withdrew his will, it was no longer needed. "He will disappear... painfully... he will go mad and vanish from everyone's mind."

Judge did not know if anything he said was true, but he knew for a fact that there was no way to prove him wrong.

"Stop!" Clara cried, "Because of me? Percival?" Her eyes widened in realization. "You're lying." But she knew very well that was not the case.

Percival was trying his hardest to get up, and he succeded... well— partly. He now laid on the ground like a cobra. "Cla... ra," He said with difficulty. Lucifer was about to exude more will by borrowing from his master, but Judge instructed him to stop.

He decide that was enough, let him free, He commanded Lucifer.

Lucifer withdrew his will as he was instructed, letting Percival go toward Clara and hug her tightly. "Percival! I am sorry... sorry." Clara sobbed into his chest, overwhelmed with guilt and shame. Her world had collapsed, and all she could think about was how her actions had led to Percival's suffering.

Percival held her close "It is alright Clara," He tried to console her.

Through his own tears that never left his eyes, he looked up at Judge, fury and sorrow mingling in his gaze. "Why?" Percival asked, his voice shaking. "Why do this? Why break her?"

Lucifer, watching silently, could feel something stir in Percival. His old fire— the will to fight that had long been extinguished— was flickering back to life. 'Master could even light a fire that was put out ages ago, as expected of him.' He thought.