I awaken from my dream.
My consciousness clears, and I regain the freedom of thought.
And the first thing I thought of was—
“—Hidaki!!”
The name of the most important person.
I opened my eyes, sat up, and looked around, searching for the one I was looking for.
However, all I could see was a bleak room. A moldy stone space with only a single bed. It felt devoid of even the presence of living beings, let alone people. This was a room I had no recollection of. I had no memory of sleeping here.
“Is there no one here…?”
I immediately tried to dredge up my memories. My head felt sluggish, as if covered in cobwebs, but I managed to cut through the haze to recall what happened before I fainted.
“I recall fighting Palinkron in the darkness. And with the help of Rainer and Hairi, I should have completed my revenge. I thought it might have all been a dream, but I quickly shook my head to correct myself.
There’s no way I could be mistaken. At the end of that battle, we reunited. I witnessed Hidaki, my family more precious than life itself, ‘reborn.’ Even if it was Palinkron’s scheme, my ultimate goal, my sister, was truly there.
I could sense on a soul level that it wasn’t a fake.
What matters is what happened afterward. I had exhausted all my power fighting Palinkron and fainted. I probably got caught up in the ‘Shaka Hōkan Jin’ afterward.
I thought my only choices were to die or be swallowed up, but it seems I took a third path.
I quickly regained my composure and slowly checked on my physical condition. I threw off the blanket and got out of bed. Perhaps it was due to the deep sleep, but I felt no discomfort. Just a slight sluggishness from sleeping too much. I could perform magic construction without any issue.
“—Dimension – Multiple Expansion.”
What I needed most was information. I expanded my magical perception range to confirm the time, place, and the presence of others. Outside the stone room—there was an old corridor—countless rooms—but no one was there—the corridor was long, adorned with numerous antique furnishings—and in the distance, a grand hall—no, this is—…!
“Am I—in a castle?”
I quickly understood the structure. It was undoubtedly an old castle. But I had never seen it before, and there wasn’t a soul inside. It was a strange sight. Despite being such a large castle, and surprisingly well-maintained, it was deserted. It sent a shiver of fear down my spine.
Even after filling the entire castle with ‘Dimension,’ I couldn’t find a single person. And so, I was forced to try and extend my senses outside the castle to search for someone—that’s when it happened.
I felt a presence of magic so immense that it made every hair on my body stand on end. ‘Dimension’ hadn’t detected it; I was simply alerted by a colossal mass of magic hurtling towards me at an incredible speed.
“What—is this magic—!!”
The mass of magic was flying. It moved at super speed through the air, heading for this room’s window. Instinctively, I tried to draw my sword from my ‘Inventory.’ However, the ‘Aris Family’s Treasure Sword Rowen’ wasn’t there, so I held the ‘Crescent Pectoral Azure’s Straight Sword’ in my hand.
At that moment, with a burst like a giant water balloon popping, a girl leaped into the room through the window. The sudden stop at such high velocity sent a gale through the room.
And then, a solitary girl appeared before my eyes. The first thing that caught my attention was her long hair, which emitted a fantastical emerald green hue. It was close to the color of a jewel but more reminiscent of the light green of nature. Her hair was tied back at the back of her head, revealing a healthy nape. It was a ponytail. Beneath her green hair was the face of a lively girl. Her bright and beautiful features were like a flower full of vitality. A single tear-like mole under her eye added a touch of mature allure. She possessed a healthy charm like a child of the wind, coupled with the alluring charm of an adult woman. Her attire resembled a turtleneck that reached up to her chin. The outline of her ample chest was clearly visible, making it somewhat difficult for a man to look away.
But the girl’s ample physique and beauty weren’t the important thing. I was focused on something else. The most striking feature of the girl—were her wings. From her back sprouted wings, the same green as her hair. They were large enough to convince me that she had been flying with them. The wings, large enough to envelop an adult, slowly folded. Then, the girl turned her eyes towards me, smiled broadly, and spoke.
“Mornin’, Kanamiiin.”
She greeted me with an unprecedented level of familiarity. However, without letting my guard down, I kept my sword drawn and continued to ‘gaze’ at her.
【Fifty Guardians】One who steals the logic of the wind.
The information I received was enough to accelerate my tension. The situation had unfolded too abruptly, and I couldn’t make sense of it.
Why was I here?
Why was she the only one here?
Why was the girl one of the Fifty Guardians?
My questions were endless. However, I knew from experience that conversation was more effective with Guardians than confrontation. My body naturally responded with a polite reply.
“H-Hello… My name is Aikawa Uzunami…”
Upon hearing that, the One Who Steals the Logic of the Wind’s mouth fell open, and her expression immediately became like a cat spotting a toy.
“Oh, you really don’t know anything, do you? Just like Rainer said.”
Then, with a casual movement, she approached me. Trembling, I held up my empty hand, not holding the sword, and signaled her to stop.
“W-Wait! Please let me sort out the situation a bit. You are the ‘One Who Steals the Logic of the Wind,’ right? And the Guardian of the Fiftieth Floor?”
“O-Ohh…! Kanamiiin speaking politely is amazing. Amazing. It sends shivers down my spine…!”
However, all I got back was incomprehensible excitement. Thinking she might be as difficult to converse with as Teeda, I gripped my sword tighter. Exposing my wariness, I glared at her. Sensing my hostility, the One Who Steals the Logic of the Wind replied gently.
“Don’t be so wary. Yep, you’re definitely the ‘One Who Steals the Logic of the Wind.’ And guarding the Fiftieth Floor is true. …But speaking to me so formally makes me feel a bit distant? Since you and I are like siblings, let’s drop the polite language.”
The One Who Steals the Logic of the Wind was friendly. She answered my questions and tried to close the distance. She attempted to close not only the emotional but also the physical distance.
“Uh, no, but—”
“—No, okay.”
My hesitant voice was drowned out by a heavy tone. For just a moment. A fleeting instant so brief that it was almost imperceptible, the One Who Steals the Logic of the Wind’s magic surged. The magic was immense, incredibly immense. It was comparable to the magic of a full-powered Rowen or Maria. It was only natural. She was also a Guardian—a Monster summoned to guard the Fiftieth Floor. I felt an instinctive fear, pressured by her magic. But I wouldn’t lose. I was accustomed to this level. I wouldn’t be intimidated by the mere pressure of a ‘Monster.’ Moving forward, I didn’t back down from the encroaching One Who Steals the Logic of the Wind.
“Alright. I will… So, what should I call you?”
“The child’s name is—um, Lord Titty? You can call me ‘King-chan’ casually like before.”
“Nice to meet you, Lord. If you could call me Kanami, a little formally, I would appreciate it.”
“Kanamin will always be Kanamin, so I can’t do that. If you don’t like ‘King-chan,’ ‘Sealed Big Sister’ is also acceptable.”
“Unfortunately, I only have one family member, so ‘Big Sister’ is impossible…”
“Tch. It’s true you have no memories, but your guard is still strong.”
I lowered my guard. There was no mistaking that the girl before me, Lord, had no hostile intentions. Come to think of it, Teeda, whom I fought first, was aggressive, but the other three didn’t attack me immediately. Perhaps Teeda, whose wish was to ‘play,’ was the exception. It was likely that I wouldn’t have to fight this Guardian.
“I’m starting to understand what kind of person you are. So, I’ll ask without hesitation?”
I asked casually, as if I were talking to Arti or Rowen. If my prediction was correct—
“You are the ‘Ruling King.’ The King from a thousand years ago, aren’t you?”
This girl was also a character from a thousand years ago. Based on her name alone, she was undoubtedly a major figure. After hearing my question, Lord’s smile shifted from light to heavy, and she replied.
“—Haha, indeed. Even without memories, you understand the essence, it seems.”
She exuded a slightly solemn aura. Her speech did not match her appearance at all, but there was a dignity befitting a king. Perhaps this was her original way of speaking.
“But I don’t rule anyone anymore!”
Immediately, Lord dispelled the heavy atmosphere and returned to her usual way of speaking. She claimed that she was no longer a king.
“So, after various events, you were swallowed by the ‘Shaka Hōkan Jin’ and became a Guardian?”
“That’s right. Though, I’ve been leaving the Fiftieth Floor unattended for centuries now.”
Hmm. “Centuries” and “unattended”—those words felt a little off.
“In any case, can I assume you have no intention of opposing me?”
“Fighting is bad. Love and peace are the child’s motto!”
“Then, if I leave now, you won’t stop me?”
“Eh, why!?”
While Lord was friendly, I wasn’t entirely without apprehension. Honestly, I preferred not to get involved.
“No, I thought it would be faster to grasp the situation by finding someone else and asking them…”
“Eh, ehhh. If you say things like that, Big Sister will cry, you know?”
“Ugh…”
As Lord approached me with a slight teary look, I backed away. That slight hesitation created an opening for me.
“I won’t let you escaaaape—!!”
Seizing that opening, Lord shouted and lunged at me. I switched ‘Dimension – Multiple Expansion’ to ‘Dimension – Decisive Calculation’ to prepare for interception.
But it was too late. I had indeed perceived her movements with Dimensional Magic. But Lord moved faster than I could react, closing the distance and grabbing my arms.
“—Wha!?”
Even though I was sluggish from just waking up, I hadn’t let my guard down. I had intended to punch her and then escape at full speed if she got too close. However, that intention dissolved into nothingness as she moved with overwhelming speed. Simply put, Lord moved faster than I could do anything. That was all.
“Hmm, what…? Kanamiiin, you’ve gotten a little weaker?”
At point-blank range, Lord tightened her grip on my wrists and peered into my eyes. It seemed my complete lack of resistance was unexpected. For me, it was that I *couldn’t* resist—that would be more accurate.
“Y-Yeah, maybe I have gotten a bit weaker…”
I said defiantly. I tried to break free, but my hands were held fast as if by a vise. It was true that I was weaker compared to ‘Primordial Kanami’ or ‘Me with Hidaki’s magic stone.’ But it was abnormal that she could hold me so immovably.
“Fufu. That’s to be expected if you have no memories.”
Lord suddenly released my hands. It seemed she was contemplating my weakened state. I thought about escaping during that time, but Lord’s eyes were still fixed on me.
“I’ll explain everything and guide you. Refusal is not an option. After all, you seem to be the stronger one right now. Hehehe~”
Then, she stepped out of the room, laughing like a child. As Lord opened the door and beckoned me, I broke out in a sweat. I had no choice but to follow her silently. If I ignored her, I knew I would just be caught again. Reluctantly, I left the room and began walking down the long corridor. Following Lord, who walked along cheerfully, I asked a question.
“Hey, Lord. Where are we going?”
“That’s a secret. But we’ll get there soon.”
I wanted to run away right now, but it was impossible. With her speed and flight capabilities, escape was out of the question. So, I tried to focus my ‘Dimension,’ not with my body, but with my sensory range. However, even that was not allowed.
“That’s forbidden— ‘Sitzelt Wind.'”
A gentle gust of wind flowed, and my magic was ‘nullified.’ The elaborate and precise magic construction sent a chill down my spine. This girl wasn’t just about speed and power. She was also skilled in magic. No, it felt more like her true calling. Lord turned around and chuckled.
“If you always take the easy way out, you’ll struggle later. You have to walk with your own feet and see with your own eyes, you know!”
With my movements and even my sight sealed, I gave a wry smile. It wasn’t arrogance; my ‘Dimension’ magic was highly developed. Perhaps there wasn’t a single person left on the surface who could ‘nullify’ Dimension. Even Mr. Hein back then struggled just to interfere when using the same magic. Yet, Lord had casually and perfectly succeeded in ‘Magic Nullification.’ If Lord were to become an enemy, I would have no chance of winning. She possessed enough power to make me think so. Therefore, I could only follow her, trying not to displease her. We walked down the long corridor, like the inside of a snake’s belly, turning many corners. Through the vacant windows at regular intervals, dim light streamed in. Unable to use ‘Dimension,’ I glanced out the windows, but could only see courtyards or adjacent buildings. I could barely grasp that this enormous castle was intricately laid out like a labyrinth. We ascended a long staircase after the long corridor. After following Lord for a few minutes, we arrived at—
“Kanamiiin, we’re here!”
A viewing platform located at the highest point of the castle. The scenery that greeted my eyes was a magnificent view, worth the long walk. And finally, I truly understood where I was. Looking down from the castle’s summit, I grasped the entirety of ‘this place.’ The ancient castle’s shape was conical, and within it spread a garden resembling a forest. Yes. This castle was so enormous that it could contain a forest. A river flowed around the castle, large enough to remind me of the Fuura River in Laura Via. There was only one bridge across it. It was a massive bridge, as if to say it was the only way to attack the castle. Furthermore, around the river, a castle town spread out. I could see countless people bustling in the vast town that seemed to stretch to the horizon. It was immediately clear that it was vibrant. I was convinced it was a well-known country.
—However, the problem lay elsewhere. Beyond that, it was excessively abnormal. Glimpsing further. Beyond the castle town, I turned my gaze. There, the sky was completely dark, and the land ended at the horizon. I looked around in surprise.
There was no mistake.
This country had nothing beyond the town. There were no plains or seas, only nothingness. Because of that, the castle and town appeared to be floating in the dark sky.
“W-What is this…?”
“Welcome back, Kanamiiin! To the children’s ‘Demon King’s Castle’! You couldn’t be moved by this landscape with ‘Dimension,’ could you? That’s one of its drawbacks!”
“D-Demon King… Castle…?”
“Ah, that naming convention is yours, Kanamiiin. If there’s a King who rules over demons, it’s a Demon King’s Castle, right?”
“No, never mind the name. I’m asking what this castle—no, what ‘this place’ is.”
It was clearly not an ordinary place. ‘This place’ was not the Allied Nations’ Labyrinth, nor the Mainland. So, where was I taken after that battle? That was all I wanted to know now. And Lord replied.
“‘This place’ is inside the Labyrinth.”
It was an unexpectedly casual answer. I had thought it was outside, at least, but that expectation was thoroughly dashed.
“‘This place’ is a space that Kanamiiin prepared for the children. In terms of floors, it’s ‘the reverse of the 66th Floor’.”
“The ‘reverse’…? Does the Labyrinth have a reverse side?”
“Technically, it’s called ‘the other side.’ It was created by Kanamiiin’s Dimensional Magic in a void of nothingness. Just like the former ‘Northern’ kingdom. He said ‘recalling’ things is easy here.”
Of course, I had no such memories. If that was the case, it must have been done by the thousand-year-old ‘Primordial Kanami.’ Facing the existence of this new domain, I could only put my head in my hands.
(The term ‘child’ is not a first-person pronoun, but I will use it.)
