The welcome at the Epic Seeker headquarters lasted late into the night, making full use of the renovated and expanded garden.
The number of people was several times what it was when I belonged to the guild. Surrounded by guild members, numbering well over a hundred, I was bombarded with questions.
Initially, it was a celebratory feast, with everyone enjoying lavish dishes and chatting. However, the bad side of the Epic Seekers soon began to show. Members of the guild, with whom I had promised a rematch, forcibly took me to the training grounds equipped at the headquarters and made me repeat our past practice matches.
A free-for-all, masquerading as a welcome, began, and I was made to practice match after practice match. Yotaki and Maria, watching from afar, made no attempt to stop it. Though they said nothing, I could feel them conveying, “You brought this upon yourself.”
The free-for-all began with Seri, who charged headfirst, followed by Agnes, who for some reason challenged me with a three-on-one. I also sparred with Volzak and Teiri to deepen our acquaintance. In the end, after fighting all the guild members, it finally concluded when Snow left a scratch on me.
As expected, Snow praised me as the “Strongest” of the Walker family, and the sun began to set, casting the evening twilight.
An atmosphere of dispersal filled the training grounds. However, Snow approached me, not wanting me to leave, and held my hand tightly.
“Hey, hey, Kanami! Since we’re here, why don’t you come to our house today?”
“House…?”
As I prepared to leave for the inn, my steps halted.
Come to think of it, where were Snow and Maria staying now?
Judging by their demeanor earlier, perhaps one of the Walker family’s villas? If they were renting a room here at the Epic Seekers, they wouldn’t have said “our house.”
“Yeah, the house on the hill!”
Snow replied cheerfully.
A house on the hill.
That description brought only one thing to mind.
It was the house I rented, splurging on money, when I first started exploring the labyrinth. I only ended up using it for a few days, but I have a strong memory of that place. After all, it was where I underwent the “Ordeal” of the Labyrinth Guardian. It was also where I fought Arti, the “Thief of Principles,” and where she disappeared. I couldn’t possibly forget it.
“The house on the hill…? Are you saying Snow lives up there? And anyway, did it even survive?”
I could still recall the house engulfed in flames. It seemed to have lost its original form after that battle.
“It’s still here. I heard it wasn’t so much that it survived, but that it was rebuilt. Maria and I bought it because our work is close to Valt’s.”
“I didn’t know… It was rebuilt after that. Also, I never compensated them for that rental house…”
I realized I had forgotten many important things. At that time, I was a fugitive, so I didn’t have the peace of mind to worry about such matters.
However, Maria joined the conversation, assuring me not to worry.
“I paid for the compensation. Since Maria and Arti burned it down, it would be strange for Kanami to pay.”
“Ah, Maria paid for it… It must have been quite expensive, were you okay?”
“No, it was inexpensive. Apparently, when it was rebuilt, the land where Kanami used to live added a premium value… The shopkeepers weren’t that angry. More importantly, Snow decided to live there after the compensation. Thanks to the backing of the Walker family, the matter was concluded peacefully.”
“Then, that’s good.”
The matter of the premium value was a bit hard to swallow, but if the shopkeepers had no complaints, it was fine. As I felt relieved, Snow asserted again.
“So, I live there with Maria now. Thanks to Maria, every corner is clean.”
I turned my gaze to Maria. She was nodding with a wry smile.
“I have no choice. Snow declared to the Walker family that she would become independent, but the next day she came crying to me… She had made a show of it to everyone around her, and she had no one else to rely on.”
Maria easily revealed Snow’s situation.
Snow put her finger to her lips, glancing around, and said, “Please don’t say it too loudly… For the sake of appearances, it’s understood that I’m Snow’s guardian and looking after her…” It seemed to be a secret from others, but judging by the expressions of the surrounding guild members, they all seemed to know.
“Kanami, you’re just like you were before.”
With a single word, Maria appealed to my past memories.
The house where Kanami and Maria lived together long ago. Like Snow, Maria also had the intention to invite me.
Suddenly, I glanced at the surrounding guild members, and Volzak spoke to me first.
“Leave the cleanup here to us. We can’t have the Honorary Master doing such mundane tasks.”
They were quick to react. He might have been eavesdropping nearby. Despite his scarred, tough face, Volzak was a person capable of such subtle consideration.
“No, that won’t do. I’ll help with the cleanup.”
I was about to deny it immediately, but Teiri, a woman dressed as a mage standing next to Volzak, superimposed an even stronger denial.
“Don’t, Kanami. By doing small favors like this, they’re plotting to get you to help them if the Epic Seekers are truly in danger.”
Teiri looked at me with sharp eyes. She was the foremost proponent of trying to get me and Snow together. She would do anything to push Snow’s demands through.
Feeling that I couldn’t refuse, I reluctantly agreed to leave the headquarters to them.
“…Alright, I’ll leave it to you then.”
“Ah, go ahead. The Master needs a long rest.”
“Take good care of Snow, Kanami! Snow! Our Snow!”
Ignoring Teiri, I simply replied, “Yes,” to Volzak, bowed slightly, and then took my leave with Snow and Maria.
“Kanami, it’s this way. Ehehe…”
And Snow, overjoyed, led the way with a completely relaxed expression. Her hand remained clasped in mine, and the gazes of those around us were almost painful.
We walked along the white-colored street of the Allied Nations, not bothering to hide. I could see the residents covering their mouths and whispering. I didn’t need Dimension to understand that the rumors the head of the Walker family had mentioned were intensifying.
Maria must have noticed it too, just like me.
“Sigh…. Snow, let go.”
“Huh? Let go of what?”
“My hand. People are watching.”
Maria pointed to our clasped hands and then looked around. Snow, following her gaze, also moved her eyes, which had been fixed on me, to observe the surroundings.
“I don’t mind.”
When Snow refused, despite understanding, Maria smiled and immediately unleashed magic.
“Hot—, Hot!?”
Maria’s flame skillfully burned only Snow.
“Snow, I understand you’re happy about many things. But please have some restraint. It’s a bad habit you’ve picked up recently.”
“Ma-Maria, just because it’s me, a little more firepower…”
“If it’s not this much, you won’t let go, will you? Even though we’re not related by blood, you’re just like your mother.”
“Eeeeh… No, recently Maria has been starting to resemble Mother more…”
“That’s impossible. Unlike her, I have no obsessive tendencies at all.”
“R-really?”
Snow, now separated from me, walked beside Maria, chatting amicably.
I watched them—and felt a strong sense of dissonance. Unable to grasp the reason for this unease, I couldn’t say anything, and slowly turned my gaze towards Yotaki behind me.
She was also watching quietly. She didn’t interrupt their conversation at all, walking at the very back.
As I pondered the meaning of this, we finally reached our destination.
A house on a hill with a great view. It was close to the labyrinth and there were few other buildings. The location was perfect for Valt’s explorers. A single house stood there, alone. It wasn’t particularly large or small. Mostly wooden, but with the latest systems incorporating magic stones in various places, it was clear from its exterior that it was an expensive house.
Nostalgic. Had they deliberately recreated the same building as before? The house that stood there was the same as the one I knew.
Led by Snow and Maria, I entered the house. The interior was also the same.
I walked through the familiar entrance and into the spacious living room that overlooked the kitchen.
As soon as we arrived, Maria said, “I’ll hurry and prepare a meal. Kanami is our guest today, so please relax,” and headed to the kitchen. Knowing her personality, I did as I was told and sat at the living room table to relax. Then, I spoke to Snow, who was naturally not helping Maria.
“So, Snow, what are your plans now? You’ve finished that pioneering mission, right?”
“Yeah, it’s finally over. And I finally got a proper break, so starting tomorrow, I’ll help Kanami with his dungeon exploration.”
“Even though you have time off, is that okay?”
The reason she, a former acting Commander-in-Chief, received leave so easily was likely because the north-south war was currently in a ceasefire. Of course, from Snow’s current tone, it was also apparent that she had demanded the break rather forcefully.
“Of course, it’s okay. Rather, this is my biggest goal. I will become a splendid person, mind and body, and become Kanami’s partner. That dream has never changed.”
Following the house on the hill, another nostalgic word appeared.
Dungeon exploration partner. Not a one-sided relationship, but one where they support each other.
“Kanami, is it okay?”
Snow strongly requested permission to participate in dungeon exploration.
In her eyes, I could see the confidence gained from her experiences as a military member up to this day and from overcoming her conflicts with the Walker family.
“Yeah. Let’s go to the labyrinth together.”
As I nodded, I confirmed that the discomfort I had held onto for so long had reached its peak.
I understood that Snow had become splendid.
However, this was a little… strange.
Snow should have been less confident in herself. To be honest, even with the goal of being a partner, she had somewhat given up on it. That was because there was a “big reason” that diminished her confidence.
—That “big reason” had completely vanished from this world.
That’s why Snow was so vibrant.
Living with Maria, she had become independent in her own way and was on the verge of overcoming her habit of giving up.
While confirming the true nature of my discomfort, I relayed the current exploration situation to Snow, who had promised to explore the labyrinth. However, when Snow learned that we had reached deep within the labyrinth in just a few days, she showed a slightly anxious expression, exclaiming, “What? Floor 85 already!?” But that anxiety was dispelled by Maria, who brought the food.
“—I’m here too, so don’t worry, Snow-san.”
“Ah, right. …That’s true. If Maria-chan is here, I feel safe. Thank you, Maria-chan.”
Snow took the plates of food from Maria and placed them on the table, her cheerful expression returning.
She looked as if the depths of the labyrinth were scary, but she felt fine as long as Maria was there.
“Hehehe. I’ll show Kanami many good things during my break.”
Although she mentioned my name, Snow was looking at Maria, not me, and smiling.
It seemed she was expressing gratitude and strong trust towards Maria for encouraging her.
At that moment, a loneliness I had felt with Dia flickered through me.
At the same time, what I had felt earlier while observing the “Epic Seekers” took clear shape as words in my mind.
—The two of them have already obtained what they desired.
Snow embodies “family,” and Maria embodies “partner.”
They complement each other and are living an ideal life. If this were a book, we would now be entering the final chapter, simply waiting for the end. That sense of security could be felt in this nostalgic home.
I wondered if this was the intention of this “Gentle Winter World” when my younger sister, Hidaki, who had been silent for a long time, spoke up.
“Snow-san, have you decided on your next job yet?”
It was about the next step.
Snow answered Hidaki readily to her question.
“It’s already decided, dear sister. My next job is on the mainland, where I’ll be working in various capacities as a representative of the Walker family.”
“I see. …However, although you say it lightly, it seems like quite a big job. In other words, you will be filling in for the head of the household.”
“Yes, I’ll be standing in for my mother-in-law… But—”
Snow’s eyes turned to Maria again.
The two, now sisters-in-law, met each other’s gaze and smiled.
“It’s been proposed that I, as your sister-in-law, accompany you and assist. Mother-in-law doesn’t seem to fully trust Snow-san yet.”
“Oh, really? If Maria-san is with you, then there seems to be no cause for concern. The two of you should be able to help each other with each other’s shortcomings. Just like the partners you mentioned.”
Hidaki praised their bond.
Her statement seemed to support my current conjecture.
Snow, without denying it, continued somewhat sheepishly.
“…Yes. Honestly, I rely on Maria-chan very much.”
“Snow-san isn’t good at mutually exploiting others. I’ll take on the burden of noble deception myself. In return, I’ll make full use of the prestige of Snow Walker.”
It seemed like an ideal division of labor.
With this, I could feel at ease about the two of them heading to the mainland. Hidaki seemed to voice my feelings.
“You really have a good relationship… So, has it been decided when you’ll depart?”
“Uh, let’s see, that was, I think—”
The pleasant conversation continued.
While reaching for the food on the table, Maria, Snow, and Hidaki talked about a bright future.
During their chatter, I didn’t interject with anything unnecessary.
There was no need to anymore.
Then, time passed savoring the peaceful moments, and Maria’s dinner was over.
Hidaki, having apparently talked enough, finished a glass of water and began to say her goodbyes.
“—Ah. It’s gotten so dark without me noticing. …Well then, I’ll be going now. It was delicious, Maria.”
She thanked me for the meal and stood up.
Maria replied with a smile, “Please come again.”
My sister, Hidaki, was about to leave.
Behind her, I, her older brother—
“Hidaki, I’m thinking of staying here tonight…”
I wasn’t going to follow her.
Naturally, the hosts were surprised by my statement.
“Eh!?”
“Kanami-san…?”
Snow was simply delighted, while Maria looked puzzled.
Only Hidaki understood the meaning behind my words.
“Yes, I understand. I’ve heard that this was Arti’s final resting place. And Maria-san, who inherited all of her, is also here. Please, ‘Past Sight’ Arti’s everything to your heart’s content, Older Brother.”
“If I’m going to do it, I want to know sooner… about Arti.”
When I explained it was for magic, Snow and Maria’s surprised expressions softened.
“However, don’t do anything strange just because I’m not here, alright?”
“I know. Besides, if I’m going to ‘Past Sight,’ I’ll be immersed in magic all night. It’s less like staying over and more like borrowing the space.”
“I see. Well then, I’ll head back to my lodging first.”
Without any particular maneuvering, Hidaki left alone.
I, who had been trying to devise a plan to keep Hidaki away, felt a sense of anticlimax. However, conversely, Hidaki’s understanding made me feel like everything was within my grasp.
And so, I remained alone in the house, and Snow, unable to hide her joy, asked,
“Uh, uh? Um, so… is Kanami staying in my room tonight?”
“No, why would you think that? Listen to me, Snow. I’ll borrow a corner of the room where Maria is sleeping. After Maria falls asleep, I’ll cast Dimensional Magic on Maria’s body.”
“What… It was almost—”
Snow stopped mid-sentence.
Then, she displayed a composed, adult-like demeanor.
“In that case, I’ll sleep in my own room so as not to disturb the magic.”
It was obvious she was thinking of all sorts of inappropriate things.
She wouldn’t interfere, but she would at least do some eavesdropping.
Perhaps sensing this, Maria stood up with a wry smile.
“In that case, let’s get some rest early today. It will be easier for Kanami-san to ‘Past Sight’ if I go to sleep early.”
Even though they would be sleeping in the same house, Maria understood that they wouldn’t have a chance to talk calmly and efficiently began her preparations.
“I’d appreciate that. It’s a bit embarrassing to cast magic while staring intently at Maria when she’s awake.”
I helped Maria clear the dishes and expressed my gratitude.
Snow, just like me, yawned as she put away the plates.
“I’m really tired today. It’s not just about Mother-in-law, but also the commotion with the ‘Epic Seekers’…”
With our combined efforts, we quickly finished tidying up.
Then, we left the living room and headed to our respective rooms.
“Well then, see you tomorrow, Kanami, Maria-chan.”
We waved goodbye and parted ways with Snow.
Then, I entered the same room as Maria. This was a familiar room.
Maria immediately went to the bed, and I sat on the attached sofa. As we discussed earlier, Maria seemed to intend to sleep right away.
However, before closing her eyes, Maria murmured, “It feels a little nostalgic. Sleeping like this, the two of us…”
Sleeping like this probably referred to our first day when I bought Maria as a slave. I remembered being overwhelmed with confusion and defeat that day and going to bed in a huff. Like this, I slept on the sofa.
“That’s right. It does remind me a little of that time.”
“Back then, I was a slave, and you were my Master, Kanami-sama. You told me you weren’t, but you truly were…”
“I remember you being so stubborn, Maria, it was quite a handful.”
I replied to her reminiscing with a lighthearted jest. Hearing this, Maria chuckled, and after a pause, said, “Could you hold my hand until I fall asleep?”
She made her request. I looked at Maria’s face with surprise.
Maria wasn’t facing me. She pulled the blanket closer with her left hand, shyly hiding the lower half of her face. From beneath the blanket, a small hand emerged.
“—I really wanted to hold your hand that day.”
She confessed what she hadn’t been able to say before. I had no choice but to comply. There were reasons enough, and my body was inclined to do so.
I found a suitable chair, sat beside the bed instead of on the sofa, and took Maria’s hand. She then closed her eyes with a sense of relief.
“Good night… My beloved Master…”
She now spoke those once-sarcastic [Words] with sincerit.
Ah… Maria was like Snow. Now, she had no reason to put on a brave front.
—That must have been a truly, truly “big reason.”
Because of that, Maria could now show her age-appropriate self without pretending.
Then, Maria began to breathe softly in her sleep. She had fallen asleep quickly, completely at ease. After gazing at her sleeping face for a good while, I expanded my [Dimension].
I confirmed that Snow, in the next room, was also breathing softly in her sleep. Hearing that our conversation had ended, she must have fallen asleep as well.
I was now the only one awake in the house.
“I need to use magic…”
I acted immediately. Although I had time a little, it wasn’t infinite.
“—Magic [Distance Mute].”
However, the magic I used was not [Past Sight]. After moving Maria’s hand to the bed, I let my hand pass through hers.
Then, I left the room without Maria noticing.
If I had used [Past Sight] in that room, I would have undoubtedly seen Arti’s [Life]. Maria and Hidaki had recommended it, but I had no intention of doing so.
Following an impulse welling up from my heart, I searched for what I lacked. I had an intuitive feeling. With Hidaki gone, I needed to find something to fill the missing sensation I felt from the [Epic Seeker]. And that missing something was surely in this house.
I walked silently on the creaking floorboards, widening my [Dimension] by instinct. Of course, I kept it thin and wide so as not to be noticed by Maria or Snow—or anyone in this world.
The [Floor plan] of the house was no different than before. A grand entrance and living room, along with an excellent kitchen and bathroom. In addition to that, one bedroom and two guest rooms. I had just exited the bedroom. I looked over the living room and bathroom and briefly peeked into Snow’s guest room. There was nothing particularly noteworthy. Nothing moved my heart.
Finally, I entered the second of the remaining guest rooms and looked around. The furniture and layout of this room were not much different from the others.
“…………?”
This room felt slightly different from the others… There was a sense of life that shouldn’t be there… Maria was using the bedroom, and Snow was in the adjacent guest room. This room shouldn’t have been used, not even in the [Past]. It was just Maria and me back then, there was no third person—
“—?!”
The moment I thought there was no third person, the darkness in the corner of the room moved. My peripheral vision caught sight of a child with tanned skin running, hiding in the shadows, and disappearing.
I immediately reached for my [Inventory], gripped my [Sword], and assumed a stance to use magic. Shifting my [Dimension] instead of my eyes, I prepared for [Surprise Attack] from all directions, and then a sudden anomaly captured my attention.
“A [Sword]…?”
A single sword lay carelessly on the floor in the corner. It definitely hadn’t been there when I surveyed the room earlier. I also noticed that the room’s window had been left open, allowing the snow blowing in the night air to enter. I [Gazed] at the beautiful silver sword exposed to the snow.
【Heavenly Sword Noah】
Attack Power: 7
Usage Rate: -99%
The most intense throbbing of the day pounded in my chest. My body moved not because of its exquisite silver craftsmanship, but by the feeling of nostalgia the sword evoked.
“Who… brought this sword?”
I wondered who had brought it. Clearly, someone had just entered the room. They appeared and disappeared before I, a [Dimensional Magic] user, could notice. And they left the sword behind. I couldn’t take my eyes off the sword. The more I looked, the more I felt lost [Emotions] returning. I realized this sword was the lingering sense of unease and the missing piece I had been remembering all day. This sword was the sun in a landscape painting. Convinced it was the “big reason” behind Snow and Maria’s situation, I reached out—
“…………”
I stopped halfway. My body had an ingrained experience. This was no different from when my [Memory] was stolen before. A protagonist whose [Memory] was stolen, interacting with their former [Companions], touching things connected to their [Past], slowly regaining themselves—
—Impossible.
Unlike before, I knew the opponent this time would not be kind.
“They are different from him… Hidaki is different…”
Did I find an important piece while casually searching the house? Has my [Memory] conveniently returned a little now?
—Impossible.
“Hidaki is not normal… Stronger than any [Guardian]. Undoubtedly strong…”
Frankly, I felt no hostility whatsoever from the brown-skinned child I had seen earlier. On the contrary, I sensed a willingness to cooperate with me. I had no proof, but I believed this was a kind rescue, separate from Hidaki’s actions. However, that kind rescue was happening under Hidaki’s control. I continued to speak to myself in the empty room, wanting to convey this.
“Hidaki is strong… Stronger than any [Apostle], stronger than me, stronger than anyone in this world… If anyone can be equal to Hidaki, it’s only me… Only I can. So—”
I made sure to convey that I didn’t need rescue. To prevent the kind rescuers from challenging an unbeatable opponent, I warned them of the “principle.”
“—[No one can defeat Aikawa Hidaki].”
This is absolute. Hidaki is not joking; she will always win in the end, no matter how [Unreasonable] or disadvantageous the [Rule] is. Especially, the “in the end” part is cruel. My sister is good at manipulating things behind the scenes, making the loser not even realize they are losing.
It was like that for my family a little while ago. My own situation since coming to this [Another World] was the epitome of that. When I was first summoned to another world, I enthusiastically declared, “I will cure Hidaki’s illness.” Even a thousand years later, from the [Shaka Hōkan Jin], I believed Hidaki, who had emerged, was still unable to break free from her “sleeping magic.”
—That’s impossible.
Because it was all a lie that Hidaki could reach the [Summit] of [Fuziaze Castle] on the day “Aikawa Uzunami was resurrected.” She came to snatch the [Best] of this world at the most opportune moment. In other words, she could have acted whenever and however she wanted, without needing treatment from Aid or Nosfy.
Hidaki had been manipulating everything from far behind the scenes. The result was this lukewarm, illusory world. Naturally, everything I do now is within Hidaki’s control. I suspect my current thoughts are also within Hidaki’s predictions. My sister has been manipulating me from behind for a long, long time, and I have followed without any sense of unease, and then—
“—Haa. …I guess I’ll get some water.”
With my [Memory] returning slightly, my childhood trauma was starting to resurface.
My thoughts were dangerously spiraling, but I took a breath without panicking and calmed myself down.
Then, without using magic, I gripped “Noah, the Heavenly Sword,” put it into my “Inventory” casually, and left the guest room.
My destination was the kitchen in the living room.
There, a “Magic Stone Line” was installed, providing safe, cold water anytime.
As I walked down the familiar corridor of my home, I calmly organized my thoughts.
“Indeed, I might be in Hidaki’s palm right now.”
“But not everything is hopeless.”
From this “Gentle Winter World,” I could glimpse a little of Hidaki’s intentions, which had been invisible to me all along.
“Right now, the most emphasized thing here is ‘companions leaving for the mainland one after another.'”
Dia, protected by the Aleis family, set out on a new life with new companions.
Maria and Snow, hand in hand under the Walker family, heading towards a new frontier.
From this series of events up to today, I could clearly see that they were trying to make me accept the farewells with my companions, without leaving me any “Lingering Desire.”
“Are they trying to reduce obstacles… By reducing my companions, reducing them… And then…”
Also, I feel like Hidaki is trying to end my story in this different world.
And in a way that I wouldn’t find unsatisfactory, very cleanly.
If that’s the case, and they’re tidying up my relationships in this different world by raising my level to the limit… then perhaps my true time-up isn’t when my level reaches its maximum, but when there are no acquaintances left around me.
When that time comes, I’ll have no choice but to move.
Just like with ■■■, I’ll have to exploit Hidaki’s moment of complacency when they’re confident of victory.
Even if I can’t understand Hidaki’s feelings by then, I have an obligation to carry out at least that much.
Otherwise, the world outside this illusion will remain eternally swallowed by glaciers.
“……”
Honestly, exploiting Hidaki’s lapse in vigilance will probably be difficult.
However, I absolutely cannot lose. Because I know this is the last time, I, as their older brother, must win and end this.
With that strong sense of responsibility in my heart, I walked to the kitchen.
Then, with trembling hands, I drew cold water into a wooden cup and let it flow down my throat.
“Phew…”
As my stomach cooled, I slowly lowered my gaze.
There, I saw a faucet identical to the one in my world.
A thousand years ago, I might have told Tiara about water pipes and refrigerators.
That’s why the current world is overflowing with these conveniences.
Of course, because the accumulation of science is insufficient, they are simply substituting them with magic.
The energy infrastructure that replaces electricity and heat is handled by these “Magic Stone Lines.” Through these magic stones unique to this different world, magical energy flows throughout the entire town, allowing me to taste cold and hot things. As I gazed at the “Magic Stone Line” in the kitchen, my attention briefly shifted—
“…Huh.”
I found a red stain.
“—Is this… blood?”
There was about a drop of blood on the “Magic Stone Line.”
Maria might have made a mistake while cooking.
Casually, I tried to wipe it off with a nearby kitchen towel—
“—Eh?”
—The blood avoided the kitchen towel.
And then, it moved nimbly as if crawling, attaching itself to my skin, not the towel.
Furthermore, the blood became hot, emitted magic power, and activated the engraved magic circle.
Magic was activated.
“What—!?”
As I tried to brush away the blood with my hand, many questions flew through my mind.
The blood—!? Why? Whose magic power is this? It’s hot, but it’s not Maria’s. Probably not Fafnir’s or Hidaki’s either. However, besides these three, I have no idea who could use such magic power—!
Without finding an answer, the blood began to interfere with my own.
Like the light of the former “Thief of the Principles of Light,” it seeped in and forcibly activated my magic, “Dimensional War Calculation ‘Prologue’.”
My consciousness began to fade as my own magic took hold.
“This is—”
Amazing.
When I understood that this was a trap, I envied their skillful execution instead of cursing.
I had been completely caught off guard. For me, who had just been pondering how to exploit Hidaki’s weakness, there was nothing more worthy of admiration.
However, before I could fully voice my admiration, I was sent back into the past.
The last thing my vision caught was only the light of the “Magic Stone Line.” The “Magic Stone Line” shone with unprecedented malevolence, enveloping my body.
And beyond that memory, I would learn.
The name of the person who carried out this masterful surprise attack.
◆◆◆◆◆
—The second “Past Sight” began.
However, it had deviated significantly from the original plan.
Instead of a thousand years ago, I was sent to a much more recent past.
I immediately knew the date.
I was certain that this scene had only occurred once in the long history of this different world.
The location was the “Summit” of Fuziaze Castle in the Great Holy Capital on the mainland, where immense magic power faced each other.
—Today is “the day Aikawa Uzunami was resurrected.”
Light and stars.
From the colors of the magic power reflected in my vision, I immediately recognized Nosfy… and Ragune.
Yes, Ragune Kaikuola—her name had been erased where I had just been, so it took me a little time to recognize her. Apparently, Ragune is intensely disliked by Hidaki.
Two people who could now only exist in the past were at the “Summit.” However, as if they weren’t the ones to be observed, my gaze shifted.
First, directly below the castle.
More than ten thousand Fuziaze soldiers had pushed back all the blood that had invaded the Great Holy Capital all the way into the castle, and were cheering for victory in the decisive battle.
However, their cheers did not last long. A giant wolf carrying many wounded people emerged from the castle, and a visible agitation spread among the soldiers even from a distance.
Then my gaze moved further.
My trembling eyes finally settled on my own feet.
On the roof of one of the many houses on the ground of the Great Holy Capital, I saw the very tip of my own toes.
There, I learned the identity of the person who became the anchor for “Past Sight.”
Black shoes on my feet. The hem of a black dress with frills above my knees. Black nails on my fingertips.
“Ah, I’ve arrived… I think that’s the one who is now…”
A girl from my hazy memories—Noir-chan, a black “Magic Stone Human,” one of the students of the “Thief of the Laws of Wood” Aid. The girl who always saw me as an enemy and repeatedly defeated me.
On this day, nine people—Nosfy, Dia, Rustiara, Snow, Maria, Reaper, Rainer, Perciona, and Sera—set out to capture Fuziaze Castle, which was ruled by the self-proclaimed “Star Principle Thief” Ragune Kaikuola. However, Noir-chan, the tenth person, did not participate and remained in the rear. My magic’s focal point was currently on her.
“That’s the castle…”
Noir-chan was covered in frost, shivering.
From her appearance, as if she had walked through an extremely cold land, she seemed to have been subjected to some kind of ice magic.
“I lost again… I, who was chosen as a ‘Saint’ by Sis… I am the most noble, wonderful, and brilliant being in the world… but that… that…!!”
Her voice was trembling.
Thanks to “Past Sight,” I could see through Noir-chan’s inner thoughts.
She was now remembering the battle immediately preceding this and was terrified.
She tried to bolster herself by calling herself a “Saint,” but those words could not shake off her emotions.
Indeed, a “Saint” is noble, wonderful, brilliant, and strong. However, she had encountered a monster that far surpassed it. The magic it emanated was divine, on a completely different level. Its hair and eyes were black, as if cut from darkness—at that point, my brain refused to recognize its form.
“Ugh, ahhh…!!”
—With just a single glance, I was defeated.
Not by magic, but simply by its magic power, I froze to my core, my exhaled breath turning white. Ice crystals covered my skin, stealing all the heat from my mind and body, and I cowered, burying my face.
Not only my body but also my heart was broken.
With just one glance…!!
I don’t want to remember any more than this.
If I remember, next, my broken heart will shatter.
I’m confident that I would choose self-destruction rather than face that thing again.
My acquaintances had entrusted me with various things, but it no longer mattered.
What was the point of “We will commit all our forces to the rescue of Kanami,” “So I’m counting on you”? They said, “You just need to hide,” and “We’ll defeat the enemy,” wasn’t I the biggest loser? They also said, “It’s fine if you just stay far away and protect her”—that was all a big lie.
I thought it was a story about “a girl trapped in a sleeping curse”…
It moved. It moved and spoke to me…!!
“Protecting something like that? Am I insane?! Queiger, that show-off Elmiraud, that fool of a Living God, everyone in this world!! Everyone’s lost their minds!!”
What was most terrifying was what happened afterward.
The girl, awakened from her slumber, thanked me.
I realize it now.
That was truly just a thank you. She uttered only a single word of gratitude.
However, the sheer, immeasurable magic power contained within that single word sent me into a frenzy. I felt as if I’d been thrown into a monster’s maw, and in my confusion, I unleashed a full-power attack magic in all directions. That’s how immense the threat she posed was.
“That’s… wrong. That’s beyond human, beyond magic… beyond anything like that…”
But my all-out attack was effortlessly absorbed by her. It simply vanished, sucked into the magic power of a girl merely standing there.
The girl didn’t even acknowledge my struggle. After thanking me, she treated me like a mere pebble on the roadside. She seemed unfazed by having frozen me with her magic or by my magical attack, and walked away, leaving me behind!
“—I’m frustrated. But more than frustration, I… I…”
Before I could finish, something dripped onto my nose. I immediately looked up to confirm the source.
“Is… magic rain?”
I knew instantly that wasn’t it. Even as a globally renowned archmage, I could discern magical particles by the feel of the air.
Therefore, this wasn’t a magical phenomenon, but a weather change.
The sky’s color gradually shifted. The morning sun illuminating the Great Holy Capital was slowly being swallowed by darker clouds. I knew this type of weather. I had coincidentally heard about it from Teacher Aid.
“Snow?”
That’s why I understood how abnormal this was. It was an unprecedented freak weather event in a thousand years of history. Facing such a cataclysmic, disaster-level event, only one thought came to mind.
“—The end of the world…?”
In normal times, I would have dismissed such a ridiculous notion. But now, it felt close. I had a hunch about the cause.
—It was her. It had to be from that just now.
She could freeze someone with a single glance. It wouldn’t be strange if she could change the weather just by walking.
And then, I became anxious. The awakened girl hadn’t responded to my full-power magic. It seems she deemed it unnecessary and let me off.
However, where she was heading now was Fuziaze Castle. There were monsters called “Thief of Principles” there. Great individuals comparable to them were also gathered.
There might be a situation where that girl would act proactively.
What would happen if she acted? Snow began to fall just by her walking. What would happen if she fought?
I’m scared. I’m so, so scared!
“I’m scared, Rouge…”
I involuntarily whimpered the name of my separated other half. It was also the moment I admitted defeat to a strong opponent.
“Yes, that’s right… I knew it. I knew it from the very beginning!!”
I fully admitted that everything within me had broken. Therefore, I no longer tried to rationalize my thoughts. My broken heart filled with nothing but sour grapes.
It’s wrong. Everything has been wrong since that man appeared. His sister was even more so. I can’t deal with them… It’s better not to get involved with that sibling pair… I’ll never see them again… That’s the way. It’s a good strategy. A wise choice. I finally understand!!
“So!! I’m definitely not going to help! I’m running away! To the North, where Rouge is! Rouge, Rouge, Rouge…! My precious other half! Please don’t hate me, everyone! It’s your fault for continuing to associate with that man…!!”
With those curses, I ignited heat within my frozen body. Fortunately, my frozen body wasn’t too severely afflicted. I had enough magic power and stamina to escape.
I immediately turned my back on the castle and the battlefield, and was about to sprint away. However, I stopped when I felt a strange magic power at my feet where I stood.
“—?! Is it… blood?”
A spoon’s worth of blood was moving along the “Magic Stone Line” on the street. Was this the magic of the “Thief of the Law of Blood”? Even though Fuziaze’s knights had performed cleanup, it couldn’t have been perfect. It wasn’t strange that a little blood remained.
However, I was certain this was monster blood. With a feeling akin to taking out my frustration, I kicked the blood—
“You…!!”
—But the blood sprang like a beast and dodged my foot.
“—Eh?”
Then, the blood adhered to my skin and immediately began to emit light. Furthermore, the “Magic Stone Line” that had been moving also began to glow. Magic flowed through the blood and the “Magic Stone Line,” passing through the same spell formation, and one magic spell was activated.
“…!? Wh-why— this is here—?”
As I was being tainted by the blood, I began to understand.
—This is different. This isn’t the blood of those in the castle. This is a higher-level existence that has long been hiding behind the guise of the “Thief of the Law of Blood,” which was said to be capable of destroying the world. That being saw me, who was trying to escape from the wings of the stage, and thought, “This is convenient,” and captured me. I cannot resist it. I, the world’s top archmage, cannot resist this blood magic at all. I, I, I…! I… Ahhh…!!
“I-I have to go…”
Whispering words I never wanted to utter, I performed “Demonization,” which put a strain on my body. Wings formed from my fingertips with black claws to my sides, and my entire body transformed into a slender, altered form. Becoming a black bat, I leaped across the rooftops. My destination was not outside the Great Holy Capital, but the castle at the center of the battlefield. Cold sweat wouldn’t stop. I hate going, but I’m being made to go. My whole body trembles with fear, yet my mouth moves on its own.
“Because, we—”
I don’t want to… I don’t want to go…
“We “Magic Stone Humans” were born—”
Yet, I relayed my role to myself.
“This Great Holy Capital Fuziaze was built by—”
It also announced the end of this Great Holy Capital.
“A thousand years on this continent were all for this moment—”
More than that, it even “Prophesized” the fate of this world. Yes, this was a “Prophecy.” As I advanced across the rooftops, I felt the true meaning of it, my teeth clattering. With each landing, the “Magic Stone Lines” in the houses and streets, used abundantly throughout the Great Holy Capital, increased their light, and my body’s freedom was taken away. The blood adhered to my skin held little power on its own. However, it acted as a trigger, drawing spell formations and magic power from the earth. Simply put, a magic spell utilizing an entire country was now attacking me. Exposed to it, I pleaded for forgiveness in fear.
“I-I can’t… I can’t fight anymore…! Please, let me escape! That will definitely… no, it will freeze this entire continent! Please let me escape before that happens. I beg you. I don’t want to die. I don’t want to die yet—”
However, my plea was not granted. A stronger surge of magic flowed through my entire body, and though I bit my lip, I had no choice but to nod.
“Y-Yes… I understand. I will just watch from afar… S-Saint Tiara…”
My voice trembling, I completely let go of the title I had always craved. Before the real thing, I understood how audacious it was for a humble existence like myself to pretend to be a “Saint.”
—The circling blood said lightly, “I’m not angry, not angry,” but my body continued to shake.
I fear the “Ice Girl” who froze me. But the “true Saint” here is also terrifying. Caught between these two equal calamities, my minuscule ego was on the verge of shattering. Thus, the “Demonized” bat, belonging to no one, was manipulated and sent flying. As instructed, I was made to cast a magic that was only permitted to the final “Magic Stone Humans.”
“—Gravity.”
It was a spell of the “Stars.” Manipulating the star’s power to bind the body, I soared high into the sky. Diving into the sky where snow had begun to fall, I spread my thin wings and glided towards the clock tower, the highest point in this Great Holy Capital.
—There was only one objective.
To witness the “Answer” of this era’s sacrifice, who inherited the title of “Saint” that I had just relinquished.
