Is the Neighbor an Angel? (Part 1)

An angel, huh? Despite having no senses at all, I somehow feel like I'm being hit with a headache.

"So... you're an angel? Why were you on Earth in the first place?"

"Oh? Finally starting to believe me? Good boy! Alright, I'll explain everything that's happened so far."

No, I don't believe her at all, but I'll listen for now.

"I was watching because humans were doing some interesting experiments. Then, this huge amount of energy concentrated, and the accelerator thing went out of control. You stopped it, but the shape of the accelerator, the facility, and even the plants in the garden happened to form a magic circle that manipulates time and space. Because of that, it seems like you and I, who happened to be nearby, got sent here. As for why we ended up in Takashiro Umeko's womb, it's probably because I'm an angel who oversees conception and birth. Maybe. I don't know. Got it?"

There's no way I can believe this.

"Ah, I see. I understand perfectly now."

People can become liars when they need to.

"I understand, but why were you at the experimental site in the first place? Just for fun? And the facility's shape being a magic circle—was that a coincidence?"

"Okay, you don't believe me. Whatever. I was there because I was looking for something that could become a weapon for the angels in the coming Armageddon. Then, I noticed this weird magic circle drawn on the ground. When I got closer, I saw humans doing some interesting experiments, so I stuck around. The magic circle doesn't seem like a coincidence. When I analyzed it, it was perfectly controlling the flow of magical energy."

"Armageddon? That final war between God and the demons? Is that real?"

"Yep. The next Armageddon is in 2039. And according to current predictions, the angels are going to lose, and demons will likely take over the Earth."

"Huh, really? (Flat tone) How do you know the demons will win?"

"Well, from the early 1900s to around 1970, about 200 million people died in wars and due to poor governance, carrying sadness, resentment, and hatred with them. Souls with that kind of negative energy all become energy for the demons. As things stand, the angels don't stand a chance."

"I see. But even if the demons win, will it really affect human society? I've never been aware of angels before, and I don't think human society will change just because demons take over."

"Well, in principle, angels and demons can't directly interact with humans except during Armageddon. But they can guide humans to some extent by giving revelations or performing miracles. Right now, the angels are doing that for humans, but if demons take over, they'll probably start giving revelations and performing miracles that lead humans to start wars or commit crimes. The Earth will become a place where wars and famine never end. Souls filled with negative energy are a demon's favorite treat. And once the demons win and take over the Earth, the angels won't be able to win in the next Armageddon either. Souls filled with hatred have over 100 times more energy than normal souls—and it's all negative. At that point, the angels won't stand a chance forever."

"I see. That logic makes sense. But even now, wars and famine are happening somewhere in the world. If the angels are in control, why don't they stop it?"

"God and the angels aren't omnipotent. They've tried various ways to guide humanity, but this is the limit of what they can do. Around 1900, they succeeded in increasing food production, advancing medicine, and helping humanity develop. But in doing so, negative distortions were created. The demons exploited those distortions and managed to influence a handful of humans. Only a few people were affected, but those few... ended up doing something terrible."

"By the way, who were the people influenced by the devil?"

I can kind of imagine it.

"Adolf, Joseph, Curtis, and Qing.""Qing, you mean Jiang Qing? I see. I guessed wrong about the fourth one. I thought it was the husband."

"Ah, Mao Zedong. He was a good man. He was really trying to save the people, but the devil set his sights on Jiang Qing. In the end, he was manipulated and made a series of misgovernments that killed over 60 million people."

"I see. But if Liliel, who was searching for weapons to prepare for Armageddon, is gone, wouldn't everyone be in trouble? Are your comrades from the 2030s going to be okay?"

"Hmm, I think there are a few angels who worry about me, but everyone is working hard to prepare for Armageddon, so it doesn't have much of an impact. Besides, there are still plenty of angels in this era, and I'm sure I exist somewhere too."

"Is it a time paradox? In science fiction novels, there are settings where meeting your past self might cause one of you to disappear or something like that. But what's the reality?"

"Hmm, I wonder. Your soul has fused with mine, so I can't interact with other angels anymore. And as far as I know, we're the first to have traveled back in time since the creation of the universe."

"Huh? Really? I'd think God could rewind time if He wanted to."

"Not at all. It's said that even God can't rewind time. Michael told me that. But there was an angel who was researching time reversal. According to that angel, even if you go back in time, you can't alter the history of the original world. Only the person who travels back is sent to the past, and at that moment, a parallel world with a different history is formed. A new branch of history. If that's the case, then this world has started walking a different path from the original one. No matter what we do here, it won't affect the original world."

"So, even that angel failed at researching time reversal?"

"Yes. They couldn't go back in time, but they succeeded in slowing down the flow of time. That's what the magic circle in your facility was for. It was combined with a magic circle that interferes with space. I've never seen two magic circles combined like that before. Hey, were there any sorcerers around you?"

"Sorcerers? They don't exist in my era. And if we can't change the original world even after going back in time, doesn't that mean the demons will still take over that world?"

"If things stay as they are, probably. Unless someone discovers some powerful force or something."

"Well, worrying about a world we can't interfere with won't help. The result would've been the same even if I stayed in the original world, right?"

"You're surprisingly cold-hearted. Well, fine. The story is just beginning. This world will likely go through the First and Second World Wars, enter the Cold War, and about 200 million people will die due to poor governance by various nations. The only ones who can save them are us, who know the future! How about that? Amazing, right? 'The ecstasy and unease of the chosen ones are with us!'"

Even though my vision was pitch black, I could almost see the fujoshi's face, flushed with excitement, grinning with an unsettling smile.

"I see. So, I'm the 'hero' summoned to this era, huh? In that case, do I get any cheat-like magic, skills, or gifts when I'm reincarnated?"

I asked, even though it sounded ridiculous.

"You do! Not from God, but from me. By fusing with me, you should be able to use 'Angel's Wisdom.'"