Dimension noticed the change in her expression.
I tried to turn around and call out to Lord immediately. But before I could speak, her scream interrupted me.
“Ah, ahh, my hand slipped—!”
Along with that foolish scream, a wind filled with malevolent magic power arose.
First, the location was bad. The space was open—and just within Lord’s sight were several non-hostile monsters. She attacked those harmless monsters with wind.
Though it was a chaotic wind that hadn’t even become a proper spell, Lord’s magic power was sufficient as a weapon.
The monsters caught in the gust were varied. White spirits and birds floating in the sky, white snakes and moving armor crawling on the ground. All of them turned their eyes black and glared at us—and in the next moment, they attacked with synchronized steps.
Seeing that, Lord laughed.
“—Ah, I knew it!”
“N-knew it, you are…!!”
“Ah, no, I said my hand slipped! My hand slipped!”
I was dumbfounded by her flippant excuse. She had been complaining all along, so I knew this would happen eventually. However, I never imagined she would resort to such a childish tactic so quickly.
Leaving me speechless, Nosfy calmly formed a spear of light.
“Lord Uzun, if your hand slipped, then it can’t be helped. For now, let us prepare to intercept.”
“Hmph, can’t be helped—!”
Chastised, I expanded “Dimension” to grasp the situation.
First, I obtained information about the space. Then, I accurately grasped the positions of allies and enemies.
The first monster to reach us was a Peer Pigeon, which we had seen on the 62nd floor. Its size was close to that of a normal bird, but it was consequently agile. Its feathers were composed of glittering magic power and rippled like flowing water on a mirror surface.
【Monster】Peer Pigeon: Rank 60
Nosfy’s light spear struck the Peer Pigeon flying from above, repelling it.
Next to attack was the white snake that had crawled from the ground—
【Monster】White Snake: Rank 60
This one was also close to the general size I knew. And like the Peer Pigeon, its body surface glittered.
Rainer engaged the White Snake crawling towards us with his twin swords. His sharp sword flashes indeed cut through its small body. However, it did not go so far as to cleave the White Snake.
Furthermore, new monsters were approaching from behind them.
Realizing we would soon be surrounded by various unknown monsters, I couldn’t help but construct a dimensional magic.
“—Magic “Default”!! Nosfy, Rainer! I’ll adjust the distance of the troublesome ones to push them away, so defeat them in order with all your strength!”
I used my magic power liberally, distorting the distances in space.
Instead of simply scattering all the monsters far away, I adjusted their positions so that they would reach us in order of their “Display” rank, from lowest to highest.
Sensing my intention for them to defeat them one by one, the two began to concentrate on the immediate enemies.
“I see. Understood, Lord Uzun. —Then, Rainer, observe the enemy’s bodies more closely. Light magic is constantly flowing, isn’t it? Physical attacks won’t work against these types.”
“So that’s why I felt that way. Then— “Scythe Wind”!”
“A good choice. Then I shall also— “Scythe Light”!”
Nosfy gave Rainer precise advice while intercepting her own enemy. Unlike Rainer, she seemed to have some leeway. The next time I distort the distance, I’ll send more monsters towards Nosfy.
And as their magical blades struck the monsters, I spotted another guardian attempting to join their battle.
“Lord! You stay put!!”
“Eh, eh!? I-can’t I!?”
For some reason, the very person who caused this situation was about to join the front line, armed with a bayonet.
“Of course you can’t!? Rather, why did you think you could participate!?”
“I thought… it looked like you were having a hard time?”
“It’s because of you!”
“U-ugh…”
Scolded by me, Lord finally seemed to grasp the seriousness of her actions. With slightly teary eyes, she dispelled the wind bayonet.
It’s a little pitiful, but it can’t be helped. For Lord, it might have been just a game, but for us, it was a matter of life and death. To prevent the situation from worsening, I kept a close watch on her so she wouldn’t do anything unnecessary.
After restraining Lord, I focused on grasping the situation with “Dimension” without drawing my sword. I believed that giving instructions from here would increase the party’s overall combat power more than joining the front line.
The only decent offensive magic I can use now is “Distance Mute.” The others are still in practice.
It would be more helpful to the two fighting if I concentrated on support rather than wasting “Distance Mute,” which has poor fuel efficiency and accuracy, on the front lines.
My combat experience up to today and the “Intelligence” stat both confirmed this as the optimal solution.
And, following that decision, I concentrated all my abilities and nerves on “Battlefield Awareness” and “Command”—
—I sorted the information obtained from “Dimension.”
Just now, Nosfy finished off the first monster, a White Snake. However, Rainer was struggling with a moving armor monster, the Illusory Knight.
The Illusory Knight’s characteristics were easy to understand. Relying on its defense that completely repelled physical attacks, it seemed to be a swordsman fighting with a glittering sword. It showed no signs of using magic, pressing its attack with straightforward “Swordsmanship.”
The monster’s rank was 59. I assigned it to Rainer because it had the lowest rank, but it seems he couldn’t handle it well. While he might win in a “Swordsmanship” duel, he lacked the leeway to conjure magic that could overcome its light magic defense.
This wasn’t due to Rainer’s lack of strength. I likely would have achieved the same result if I had faced it. Nosfy, who easily defeated her monsters, was the anomaly.
If this continues, the second monster on Rainer’s right flank will arrive. If it becomes a two-on-one situation, Rainer’s chance of sustaining serious injury increases. Reluctantly, I began to extract a large amount of magic power from the depths of my body and construct a support spell.
The magic to be used was “Default.”
However, this time, the purpose was not “Movement” but “Support.” I was constructing “Default specialized for attack support” right here and now. The image for it was already solidified.
I was accustomed to both creating new magic and being forced to use it in intense combat—!
“Nosfy, keep handling the left side! Rainer, I’ll handle your evasion, so go all out! —Dimensional Magic, “Dimension” “Default”!”
“I trust you, Christ!”
Rainer replied immediately.
To respond to his unwavering trust, I invoked the magic with all my might.
“—Magic “Dimension – Curvature Calculation”!!”
The new magic’s name was “Dimension – Curvature Calculation.”
It was a magic specialized in creating errors.
First, I grasped the space with “Dimension – Decisive Calculation” and calculated the enemy’s sword path. Then, I slightly distorted the space where the sword would pass with “Default” to make the opponent’s attacks and defenses fail. It was something like the dimensional attribute “Dimension Winter.”
The difficulty of this magic was incomparable to “Dimension – Decisive Calculation.”
The sheer amount of information I had to process was dizzying.
However, thanks to concentrating on “Dimension – Curvature Calculation” from the rear, the magic succeeded, even though it was my first attempt.
As per my instructions, Rainer abandoned defense and began to construct wind magic.
Seizing that opening, the Illusory Knight swung its sword diagonally in a cross-cut—but it missed. The shining sword that should have struck Rainer’s body narrowly failed to reach him. It was a wasted swing, like a novice’s attack.
This time, a large opening appeared for the Illusory Knight. And Rainer was ready to swing his magic sword at full power.
“—Rend! Magic “Mana Blade Conversion”!!”
His twin swords, imbued with maximum magic power, were swung at top speed, and the Illusory Knight’s armor was cut in an “X” shape.
Watching the monster turn into particles of light and disappear, I did not let my guard down.
“Next! Nosfy, be careful, the snake is aiming for your back! Rainer, draw in the white spirit in front of you, and retreat near me in three seconds!”
“Thank you for your warning, Lord Uzun.”
“Understood! Christ!”
I relayed instructions to each of them, sharing the overall information with everyone.
Then, to defeat the white spirit that Rainer alone couldn’t handle, I began to construct another magic.
The image of the magic was a twisted iris flower.
I couldn’t reproduce Primordial Kanami’s magic “Torsion,” but I should be able to imitate it.
“—Magic “Form – Twisted Iris”!”
At the end of a sufficient three-second magic construction period, a dimensional distortion appeared on the “Crescent Pectoral Azure’s Straight Sword.”
It was a distortion that, if you looked closely, didn’t look entirely unlike a flower.
Naturally, the magic flower created on the fly was extremely incomplete. Its magic power was weak, so much so that it would dissipate if I let go of my hand.
Unlike Primordial Kanami’s, it was downgraded to a magic with absolutely no physical attack power. However, for an opponent without a physical body, this should be enough.
“I’ve brought it, Christ!”
“Yeah! I’ll strike with the magic now!!”
Towards the Holy Element that Rainer was concentrating on, I swung my sword imbued with “Form – Twisted Iris.”
The sword passed through the Holy Element’s body. As expected, spirits were no exception, and physical attacks were ineffective. However, I was able to attach the “Form – Twisted Iris” flower to the enemy’s body.
“Distort it! —”Form – Twisted Iris”!!”
I evoked the same image as when using “Dimension Snow” and detonated the magic. The concept was to release the dimensional shift contained within “Form” and damage the enemy’s body composed of magic.
The explosion had no physical impact. However, it would greatly affect the enemy’s magic power.
In game terms, it was like attacking MP rather than HP.
The magic power that constituted the Holy Element’s body shifted—twisting into a vortex. I couldn’t kill it, but its shining body undoubtedly contracted.
“—”Zea- Wind”!”
At that moment, Rainer’s finishing magic was unleashed, and the Holy Element, unable to maintain its form, dissipated.
—Good. That’s two down.
“Just a little more! Let’s intercept them all like this, Rainer, Nosfy!!”
“Yes, Lord Uzun.”
“Yeah, we can do this!”
On the other side, Nosfy was handling more than twice the number of monsters compared to us. Thanks to that, only one monster remained on our side. Since it was the last one, there was no need to rush, worrying about the following enemies, so I could afford to take my time and expend magic.
Thus, it took us about half an hour to successfully annihilate nearly ten light-attribute monsters.
A large amount of light particles drifted in the spacious corridor. After collecting the magic stones and confirming there were no other monsters, I spoke to Lord.
“…Why did you do that? Explain it to me properly.”
Honestly, I wanted to yell at her. However, I tried to speak as gently as possible and listen to Lord’s explanation. Becoming emotional here would be the same as deciding Arti was an enemy.
Perhaps due to my efforts, Lord, trembling, explained her thoughts.
“B-because… if we keep going this smoothly, you’ll all go back to the surface. Kanamin said it’s the end—… Ah, that’s right! Hey, let’s clear out the monsters floor by floor like we are now!? That way it will take longer!!”
“W-wait, Lord…”
Half laughing and half about to cry, Lord wished for us to stay together for as long as possible.
Her request, which resembled that of an infant rather than a child, left me bewildered.
Lord was now expressing her emotions more than ever before. There was no mistaking her straightforward feelings.
—However, her heartfelt emotions were too straightforward.
It made me look ridiculous, having been wary of Lord’s hidden intentions and hiding the labyrinth conquest plan from her. Her feelings were utterly transparent.
No, rather than being transparent, it was as if…
There was no longer any need for tedious maneuvering. I decided to present my own straightforward thoughts to Lord. —I had no other choice.
“Lord, I can’t do that. I need to return to the surface as soon as possible. My sister and companions are waiting for me. Please, understand…”
I grabbed Lord’s shoulder and met her eyes.
By not averting my gaze, I showed that I was appealing from the bottom of my heart. Lord met my eyes with equal determination but soon relaxed her body and looked down.
“U-ugh. I-I understand. Kanamin, you care more about Yo-taki-chan than anything else, even a child knows that…”
Pouting, she replied haltingly.
Her honesty reassured me—but at the same time, I felt a sense of unease.
—Is this all there is to it?
I wondered.
It was beyond anticlimactic.
This weak girl was a King who lived for over a thousand years? A ruler who united tens of thousands of people, led tens of thousands of soldiers, killed tens of thousands of enemies, and betrayed tens of thousands of allies? Was she a being with grand titles like “Mad King,” “Demon King,” or “Ruling King”?
Really…?
The image simply didn’t match.
I had witnessed her overwhelming power befitting a King. However, when including her mental state, I couldn’t believe it at all.
“Th-then… I’ll, wait here ‘forever’… So, please, absolutely come back again…?”
Like a child asking to play with friends again, Lord hesitantly pleaded.
Yes.
She was just like a child—
“Of course. I promise that.”
“If you break your promise, older sister will be very angry! I’ll probably cry!”
With teary eyes, Lord puffed out her red cheeks.
“Ah… ah…”
Isn’t this… abnormal…?
I might have misunderstood.
I had thought that Lord, being an experienced King of a thousand years, was intentionally acting childish. I believed she was putting on an act to observe my reactions.
That’s why I had been wary of various possibilities until today.
However, what stood before me now was truly just a child.
I couldn’t believe it was a trap through rhetoric. I had been deceived enough, and I believed I had gained considerable life experience in this other world. Most importantly, I was observing her now using my skills “Sensation” and “Deception.” I was sure that she was speaking from the heart.
The discrepancy between the legendary “Ruling King” and the Lord before me was unsettling.
As I stood there, bewildered by this strange feeling, Lord continued to press her point.
“Kanamin, you absolutely must come back, okay? This child will be waiting here forever. Yes, I’ll be waiting here ‘forever’—”
I had to re-evaluate all my previous impressions of Lord.
Therefore, I couldn’t immediately find a response.
And in the brief moment of my speechlessness, the situation changed.
Nosfy, who had been silent in the rear, stepped forward.
With an expression that suggested she couldn’t bear to watch any longer.
“Lord, what foolishness are you spouting. There is no such thing as ‘forever’ in this world. Everything has an end.”
“Eh? Huh?”
Startled by Nosfy’s sudden harsh tone, Lord flinched.
“Honestly, I can’t listen to this. For your own good, I’ll tell you now: that space—’Viaisia’ has little time left. Your ‘forever’ is realistically impossible.”
“Time left? Th-there isn’t any? Because this child will live there eternally…, that’s what I decided…”
“Lord, are you serious?”
Nosfy frowned and continued, as if chastising a dreaming child.
“—Eternity is impossible.”
She stated the obvious truth as if it were self-evident.
However, Lord did not appear to accept it and retorted in a trembling voice.
“I-it exists! Because I’ve lived there for a thousand years? A thousand years! So, it’s decided that it will be fine from now on too! It’s decided!!”
“No, it is over. From what I can see, the lifespan of that space is about one more month.”
“O-one month…?”
This was the first I’d heard of it.
However, I didn’t feel any particular dissonance with the story. Perhaps it was because I had seen the distorted sky of that world. Or perhaps it was because I myself had created that space. The number “one month” was easily accepted.
“I heard about the origin of that space’s creation. Based on that, I suspect that its lifespan was set to a thousand years from the beginning.”
Nosfy continued to provide her deductions. It was useful information for me as well, so I missed the chance to stop her.
“W-what are you saying… Nosfy…”
“The past Lord Uzun planned to come here after a thousand years. Therefore, he likely set a thousand-year limit. More time would be a waste of space and magic, so it’s only natural.”
“But even after a thousand years, this child can’t disappear at all…?”
“If Lord Uzun’s memory were intact, it might have been possible to extend it from here. However, in this situation, it will be difficult. Lord Uzun, can you use spatial magic?”
When asked about spatial magic, the only thing that came to mind was “Inventory,” but its analysis had not progressed at all.
“Even if you ask about spatial magic, I probably can’t use it… Nosfy, please wait a moment. This is happening too suddenly…”
Nosfy’s harsh tone was too much for Lord right now.
Thinking so, I tried to stop her. But Nosfy shook her head.
“Please wait a moment, Lord Uzun. This is necessary for her. Lord, did you hear? Collapse is inevitable. If you keep talking about ‘forever’ and ‘eternity,’ you will be caught in the collapse. —I… as a ‘friend,’ want to prevent such a situation.”
And words spoken with Lord in mind flowed out. Lord’s face was distorted just like Nosfy’s. From her expression, I was convinced that she, too, was speaking from the heart. It was the same certainty I had gained from using my skills earlier.
However, at the same time as gaining that certainty, I felt another sense of unease.
It was the same unease as before.
Because of her sharp intellect, I had always thought Nosfy interacted with us with courtesy and affection based on calculations. I believed her kindness always had some ulterior motive.
However, what stood before me now was a girl genuinely worried about her friend. Although her words were harsh, I could tell she was trying to persuade us with sincere words born from compassion.
“It-it’s a lie… that’s…”
“Looking at the distorted sky of that space, perhaps there isn’t even a month left. Please make up your mind quickly. Otherwise, it will be too late.”
“…That’s a lie. It’s a lie, it’s a lie, it’s a lie! It’s a lie!”
“In terms of magic appraisal, there is no one superior to me. And you know that I do not lie, right? There can be no mistake on my part.”
“U-ugh…”
“It is ending soon, Lord. When that space comes to its end, you will be forced to ascend to the surface.”
“‘The surface’…?”
To Lord, who cowered at the mention of “the surface,” Nosfy continued to utter irrefutable logic. She spoke the truth and showed the right path, her demeanor as innocent and pure as a nun praying—
“You shouldn’t make that face. Think of it from the opposite perspective. Let’s take it positively. Rather, you should rejoice that the time has come.”
“Can’t it be… helped somehow…? Nosfy, you can somehow do it!”
“That space is not of the light attribute, but composed of dimensional magic. It’s impossible for me. Furthermore, even if I could fix that space, I would not cooperate.”
“Why!?”
“—Isn’t it enough? Lord, now is the time to confront your true lingering desire. Regretting the past in a place like that is futile. Let’s look forward. As one who bears destiny, do what you must do. Yes, humans are creatures that adapt and evolve. Think of this not as a limit, but as an opportunity. It’s a chance to escape this dim underground and step out into the bright surface. Now, what you must do is be thankful for that chance and move forward—”
“Sh-shut up!!”
Finally unable to contain herself, Lord threw a tantrum, violently releasing her body’s magic. A gale comparable to Rainer’s “Zea- Wind” erupted, nearly blowing the three of us away.
