Crown 23
Nagisa: ...The car you procured has one of your subordinates inside, doesn’t it?
...Your purpose was to abduct me, the one accused of being the mastermind, and to dispose of me in secret.
...Afterward, you intended to fill my absence and take the stage as our support, Lucifer.
The Priest: ......
Nagisa: ...You were the undisclosed support, Lucifer.
...“Lucifer” refers to the fallen angel. In Latin, it refers to the morning star.
...Based on that name, I wonder if you would pretend to be Subaru-kun’s father. The one known only as “that Akehoshi,” the greatest blight on the idol industry.[1]
...Your plan was to play the tragic hero, to claim that you’ve been held captive by Father and me this entire time, and then fully take “that Akehoshi’s” place.
...You would claim that our harsh treatment changed you, I suppose. I wonder if you would have tried to hug Subaru-kun in a tearful reunion.
...Then, after garnering sympathy, you would deliver the ultimate performance as Subaru-kun’s father.
...Then, a letter that I left behind would be discovered, and, following its instructions, you would be installed as my successor.
...Weaving this emotional story, you would be accepted as a member of Eden to the sound of applause.
...There would be hardly any time before the new year. All issues would be postponed so that the SS Finals could continue.
...You would take my place as the commander, and you would receive great acclaim while being showered in blessings from all those around you.
...In doing so, Eden, and you, would be commended as the nation’s top idol.
...And thus, you would stand at the top of the idol industry.
...That was your plan, was it not, “Reverend?”
The Priest: ......
Nagisa: ...I suppose you had several routes in mind. But under my influence, you chose that one.
...It was my first attempt laying a trap of this sort, so I was nervous whether it would work.
...I was in fine once, too. I was part of a group who had slain many great beings to achieve victory.
...That experience has made me strong. I cherish that. Even tragedy has its rewards, I suppose.
The Priest: ...!
Nagisa: ...Oh, you’re escaping, getting in your car.
...And so you run, run away, to claim someone else’s face.
...You will keep adding to your many sins, won’t you?
...In that case. I may be but human, not yet a god, but I shall pretend as such and judge your sins.
...You and your filthy soul are unworthy of Heaven.
...You will burn for eternity in the flames of hell.
The Priest: ...! ...?!
Nagisa: ...Fufu. That car may have been sent by you.
...But the one driving it is one of the Watchdog’s private soldiers.
The Priest: ......?!
Nagisa: ...It makes sense that you didn’t notice, but he and I joined forces in secret.
...In the abandoned temple where I had secluded myself, amongst the journals and documents were messages left by Gatekeeper.
...Had it been Ibara, he wouldn’t have trusted it. But I believed his messages.
...I believed him, and I took his hand. And together, we decided to hunt you down.
...You, who disguise yourself and lurk in the shadows, are very difficult to find.
...But we would trap you, and then we would dispose of you.
...In that regard, our interests aligned perfectly.
Nagisa: ...You were our mutually despised enemy.
...And so we will destroy you. You are the enemy, the villain in our story.
...I hope you won’t call this cruel.
...You are the one who made me human, after all, who planted hatred and other negative emotions within me.
...And humans destroy their loathèd enemies with utter devotion.
The Priest: ⸻
Nagisa: ...Goodbye, “Reverend,” my enemy, you ghost of bygone days.
...At the very least, I will pray for your soul.
...Let the shadow return to shadow. Go back to the void where no one can see you.
......
Hiyori: Nagisa-kuuuun!
Nagisa: ...Hiyori-kun.
Hiyori: What was that just now? That car just drove off unbelievably fast?!
Nagisa: ...Who knows?
...More importantly, why are you here? Weren’t you supposed to be watching over Tori with Jun and Ibara?
...I asked you to do that, didn’t I?
Hiyori: Yes! And I’d do anything you ask of me, but can I help that I worry about you more than anyone else?
Jun-kun was acting strange, and then he said you might be off doing something rash all by yourself!
Well, I couldn’t just stand by and watch that play out!
I already decided that I’ll never, ever let you be alone!
Nagisa: ...Oh, I did borrow something from Jun.
Hiyori: Why Jun-kun? Can’t you rely on me more?
I want to do everything I possibly can to help you! It’s why I ran all over the place looking for you. I even worked up a sweat, see? That’s so not like me!
Nagisa: ...There was nothing you could do, Hiyori-kun. Not this time.
...Because you are someone who should only exist under the brightest of lights.
Hiyori: What do you mean? That doesn’t make any sense! Explain yourself!
Nagisa: ...Later.
...The SS Finals are still ongoing. We should return to the stage.
...We will be idols. Let’s sing and dance will all our power to make everyone happy.
...And to live as human beings within this world.
- Yay this is so fun. So first I want to point out that Nagisa’s etymology is 明けの明星 (yoake no myoujou), which has various potential translations into English which all refer to the same thing: morning star, Lucifer, Phosphorus, and Venus (in the morning sky). Strictly speaking, the Latin etymology of Lucifer is “light-bringer” (from lux “light” and ferre “to carry/bear”), but to the point, the word referred to the planet Venus (Phosphorus was the Greek name, and also means “light-bringer”). 明星 is the Japanese word for Venus, and it can be pronounced one of two ways: myoujou and akehoshi. Myoujou is the reading most common when referencing the planet, but Akehoshi is Subaru and his father’s family name, which is where the connection is. In effect, “Akehoshi” and “Lucifer” are one and the same, etymologically speaking, and both refer to the morning star Venus.