For seven years, I behaved like the youngest child, and in truth, I was smaller and frailer than anyone else. So, for those first seven years, I was cherished, praised, and watched over.
Now, I understand that I was living in the best possible position in this world.
However, I am no longer the youngest child.
I haven’t yet come to terms with being an adult, but I felt emotions close to that.
Seeing Teeda and Sis Sister suffering, I wanted to do something for them. While talking, the words “a Magic that allows everyone to be happy” kept echoing in my mind. And by “everyone,” I meant not just special characters like “Thieves of Principles” and “Apostles,” but ordinary people as well.
I used to be unable to remember other people’s names or faces at all, but recently, I’ve been able to remember them little by little.
When I picture their faces and the devastation in this other world, I feel an indescribable heat. I realized that my Master’s wish of “everyone together” had somehow infected me, but it was more than that.
“I must have come to love living in this world.”
Perhaps it was when “Reading,” which was merely a hobby, began to exert an abnormal power that I started reading the world itself like a beloved book.
But that ultimate book was coming to an end. The path to the final page prepared by Hidaki Sister is perfect. The stories of my Master, the “Thieves of Principles,” the “Apostles,” and the people living in this world—everyone’s story—can’t escape from it.
So, I will act. To borrow Legacy’s words, I think this was the moment I finally got serious.
“—Sis Sister, do you know what a Magic Circle is?”
Seriously, I’m going to start discarding “Everything” just for my “Magic.”
“I… do know. It’s one of the plans I’m currently considering. But why are you asking…?”
Sis Sister hesitated for a moment before honestly answering.
For my Master to “turn into a monster,” a method to gather a large amount of Magic Power from a wide area, like a Magic Circle, is necessary.
As expected, the story incorporated Magic Circles. While convinced Sis Sister was Hidaki Sister’s pawn, I barged into the story. I took out the book containing the techniques for “Blood Power” from my pocket and showed Sis Sister the page of “Magic Stone Line.”
“…Look at this. Sis Sister, I think I can help you with Magic Circle creation. I’m the only one researching ‘Magic Stone Line’ anymore. Hehe.”
It contained a Magic Circle very similar to the one the protagonist used. Using that book, I intended to deceive, manipulate, and guide Sis Sister just as Hidaki Sister had done.
“Tiara… were you researching that while you were out of sight? Indeed, this is a slightly different technique from what I know… Though nowhere near as good as the Master’s, it’s quite interesting.”
“Right? With this ‘Blood Power,’ I’ll cooperate with you too, Sis Sister. From now on, let’s join forces and save the world together?”
Because I like Sis Sister, I continued to employ “Deception” with all my might. At that moment, I knew I was wearing the same smile as Hidaki Sister in the past. And with that exact same smile, Sis Sister was deceived again and again.
“…Of course, I welcome it! Let’s do it together! We’re friends, aren’t we!”
Sis Sister’s heart, which was so lonely, was exploited, and she accepted me, an enemy, as a companion.
“Well then, first, I’ll tell you about the ‘Shaka Hōkan Jin’ I’ve been thinking about. Please tell me if anything seems strange or needs to be changed—”
She revealed her entire plan. Sis Sister’s “Shaka Hōkan Jin” was, predictably, simple and direct. Through a continent-wide “Level Up,” all living beings’ Magic Power would be gathered in one place, and a Vessel to bear “Everything” would be produced.
I learned that about nine-tenths of living beings would dissolve and disappear during that process, and this was the reason she could not get along with Apostle Diplakla.
Incidentally, the one chosen to bear “Everything” was Northfield Fuziaze, the “Thief of the Principles of Light.” Among the “Thieves of Principles,” she was undoubtedly the masterpiece. She was adept at gathering Magic Power, and her devoted personality suited Sis Sister’s tastes.
“—Tiara! The ‘Thief of the Principles of Light’ can expand her vessel indefinitely by absorbing other ‘Thieves of Principles’! She was truly born to bear ‘Everything’! …So, unlike Hidaki, she will never hit a limit!”
After boasting about the “Thief of the Principles of Light’s” power as if it were her own accomplishment, Sis Sister mentioned Hidaki Sister’s name with a solemn expression. It seemed she intended to learn from previous mistakes and believed her plan had no room for failure—
“Moreover, that doll’s body is specially made. It’s easy to add modifications later. It can flexibly adapt to any situation. This plan is perfect, perfect, with no room for failure…!”
This plan was bound to fail spectacularly. The reason was simple: the collected Magic Power was designed to be un-pourable into the “Thief of the Principles of Light.” As I examined the unfinished Magic Circle drawn on Fuziaze’s ground, I became convinced. The Magic Circle was missing crucial elements and was designed to go berserk and fail at the very last moment.
While it was supposed to dissolve only about ten percent of humanity and extract only the necessary amount—a trap was set to go berserk and kill all living beings.
The only ones set not to dissolve during the rampage were the “Foreigners.” As a result, my Master, who survived alone in the other world, gained all the Magic Power, leading to this:
“—After the ‘Shaka Hōkan Jin’ went berserk, Aikawa Uzunami was forced to live an infinite amount of time, unable to even die. It was enough time to go mad. There was also enough Magic Power to be tempted. In the end, Aikawa Uzunami resorted to forbidden resurrection. The only one successfully resurrected was his sister, Hidaki, who had been spared from the ‘Shaka Hōkan Jin’ for being a fellow ‘Foreigner.'”
That was the final page I most wanted to deny. An ending where I am left behind by the two, and no one is saved.
—I hate this ending.
However, as I touched and examined the “Shaka Hōkan Jin,” I realized that stopping it now would be difficult. Not only were the nobles of Fuziaze, who revered the Apostles, guarding the key points—but the “Shaka Hōkan Jin” was simply designed to go berserk if incomplete.
After sufficient deliberation, I calmly reversed my previous statement.
—Instead of stopping this “Shaka Hōkan Jin,” it’s better to use it.
I accepted the dissolution of ninety percent of humanity for my own purposes. As I’d thought for a long time, this world has too many “Curses.” Even before Hidaki Sister brought “Curses” into this world, it was in a terminal state, with dark clouds forming from Magic Power. If there was any way to escape this state, even temporarily, it would be the “Shaka Hōkan Jin.”
For example, the “Thieves of Principles” are currently accumulating interest on their unpaid debts, endlessly spreading misfortune. Therefore, I want to pay off those “Curses” by activating the “Shaka Hōkan Jin” normally first.
After that, the collected Magic Power will be stored in a way that it cannot be poured into the “Thief of the Principles of Light,” my Master—no, anyone. A place like the underground space in that other world would be ideal for storage. The important thing here is to extract souls along with the Magic Power when people dissolve, using that “Dimensional Power.” Store both Magic Power and souls, and reconstruct them at the proper time.
“…………”
It’s difficult, but there’s a chance of success. Rather, a chance of success will emerge from this point onward.
If the “Shaka Hōkan Jin” activates normally, it will be a “reset” due to the sudden decrease in humanity.
Frankly speaking, this continent, this board, has no part untouched by Hidaki Sister’s influence. Therefore, I will flip the board once. The pieces on the board will likely find this behavior unacceptable. If the “Curses” are to be paid off, the moment that board is broken will undoubtedly be the unhappiest day in the world.
Even so, I have decided to replace all the fractured pieces with brand-new ones, at my own whim. For my desired “Magic that allows everyone to be happy,” I don’t mind being hated by all of humanity.
Even if it means being disliked by the people I love, I vow to “reset”— Having thought this far, I begin to feign disappointment.
“—Hmm. …I’m sorry, Sis Sister. It seems I can only help with the basic aspects of the Magic Circle. Oh, of course, I’ll offer my own advice! But, using the Apostle’s ‘Magic Circle’ is a bit too difficult for me…”
After finishing what Sis told me about “Shaka Hōkan Jin,” I boldly told myself a convenient lie.
As I thought to myself that my methods were becoming similar to Hidaki Sister’s, Sis nodded sadly in return.
“R-really… But, it’s a great help! Just knowing you’re watching over me gives me so much strength!”
“Hee hee, I’m glad. Then, I’ll do what I can. I’ll use the technology of the “Magic Stone Line” to reinforce the magic circles. I’ll be doing various things in different places.”
“…Yes, please do. Tiara.”
I obtained the information on “Shaka Hōkan Jin” and left Fuziaze Castle.
At that moment, Sis behind me looked like she wanted me to stay with her, but I never looked back.
From this day on, as I declared, I began to visit the locations that were the base points of “Shaka Hōkan Jin” and reinforce them with my “blood power” to prevent them from going berserk.
“I’ll finish this quickly for Sis’s sake… To do that, I first need to prepare my “Magic”—”
—Meanwhile, I began to spread the word “Magic” throughout Fuziaze.
I traveled the world, going back and forth through the door to another world.
The propagation of “Curse Technique,” which I had previously left entirely to my Master, was now repeated under the new name of “Magic.”
The method of propagation was also vastly different from before.
I handed out magic stones extracted from fire and water, and taught people the technique to channel magic power through them.
The purpose was to reduce the “Price” and make them easier to use by using magic stones.
The magic stones were now acting as a substitute for the book Master had written to suppress the “Price.”
Master’s “Curse Technique” came with a heavy “Price”: simply starting a fire could lead to hazy memories, and creating wind could cause extreme drunkenness. That’s why people rejoiced at the appearance of “Magic” without this “Price.”
There were other reasons for the spread of “Magic,” I believe.
It was the existence of “Magic” used by the Winged Humans, as depicted in fairy tales.
When I claimed that a technique dating back over a thousand years was now being revived, everyone believed me.
The onset of the great war also likely led to people’s lives becoming drastically difficult. Few people refused the appearance of such a convenient technology.
During the propagation, I felt that spreading it alone was inefficient, so I also taught the basics of “dimensional power” to those with talent.
This caused the amount of magic stones and “Magic” on the continent to explode. I knew the balance of power would be disrupted, but I was incredibly generous, thinking that it would all be “rewritten” in the end.
—Little by little, people began to believe in the two words “Magic.”
This also led to the occurrence of the “Price” in various places, albeit in small amounts.
To collect these “Price”s, I quickly prepared idols.
I had learned the method in the Town of Fanian.
I would conduct something similar to the “Artofel Religion,” but on a much larger scale.
During its inception, I would exploit the “seed of a new religion” that Romis Neisha had failed to cultivate. I would use something that I had been carefully nurturing, intending for Master to be its “Ancestor,” here.
Incidentally, the object of faith is that “Lord.”
Of course, just like Romis Neisha, I intended to alter it later and steal it all for myself. After “Shaka Hōkan Jin” was activated and no one was left, I would replace the object of faith, the “Ancestor,” and everything else with “Tiara Fuziaze.”
Finally, I needed to think of a name for this religion.
I could have simply called it “Teachings of the Old Lord,” but I wanted to keep the word “Lord” aside for later.
I was particular about even the name, knowing it was a “Price.”
My ideal was a name that only I would understand implied a “Price.”
“—Revannism.”
I coined a new word, blending my knowledge with books from another world.
To the believers, I propagated that it meant “sacred magic,” but in reality, it meant “false curse.”
It was fraud, I suppose.
However, the people, exhausted by the war, believed in this “teaching that disguised itself as sacredness while carrying a curse” without any doubt.
As the leader, I myself thought it was a good deal that joining the religion came with convenient “Magic.”
—Thus, as the war between the “Northern Alliance” and the “Southern Alliance” intensified, Revannism secretly spread across the continent.
Around that time, I heard rumors of Master’s achievements in the “Northern Alliance.”
Apparently, like me, he was strengthening the “Northern Alliance” without hesitation. He seemed to be spreading knowledge from another world in cooperation with two men—”Thief of the Laws of Wood,” Aid, and “Thief of Nothingness,” Seldra.
I wryly noted that our world was being steadily eroded by another world, and more time passed.
When I reached a pause in my propagation activities, I mastered “dimensional power.”
That power was essential for “Magic” from this point forward.
“—Haa, haa, haa…! I finally did it. …Ah, should I give it a name? Then, this is “The Purple Arm of Dimension.” —Shall I call it Magic《Phantom Purple Arm》?”
Until now, I had only been able to draw out magic stones with my fingertips, but now I could wrap my entire arm in purple magic power.
My arm rippled like a mirage, unstable, but this was the ultimate form of “dimensional power.”
Anything beyond this would require dedicating my entire life.
“It was something I did alongside “Magic,” but… this should be enough for Master for now.”
With Magic《Phantom Purple Arm》, it should be possible to restore Master’s sanity. This was precisely the “possibility of overturning the death of his sister” that Master needed.
However, I still couldn’t meet Master.
My skill, “Reading,” indicated that it wasn’t enough yet.
*”Tiara Fuziaze, by uniquely mastering “dimensional power,” has discovered a path to change Aikawa Uzunami’s fate. To prevent the person she admires from becoming a “monster,” the girl with the purple arm sets out with hope. However, what awaits her—”*
Just then, as if she knew I would complete “dimensional power” today and read the future with the skill “Reading”—
*”At the end of that path, Tiara Fuziaze succeeded in restoring Aikawa Uzunami to his senses with 《Phantom Purple Arm》. The great war that engulfed the world came to an end. At that time, the two were finally able to connect their feelings. A few years later, they became a married couple and began the long process of reviving Aikawa Hidaki. Despite the obstacle of “Curse,” the two lived their lives hand in hand, and every day was truly happy. And at the end of it all, Tiara Fuziaze died of old age in the arms of the man she loved. Saying she was truly happy and thanking the world, she completed the shedding of the “Curse” she had been evading—”*
—The page was placed ahead of me by Hidaki Sister.
“Hah, hah…!”
My breath hitched from overusing my skill.
It seemed that Hidaki Sister, having recognized my growth in overcoming the “Curse” of death, had upgraded my ending from “dying in Master’s memory” to “growing old and dying by his side.”
Even though I knew this new proposal was a trap, it was so alluring that my resolve wavered.
In the end, “everyone together” was an impossible dream.
Being “equal footing” with Aikawa Hidaki was also unrealistic.
Tiara Fuziaze could not become a “Thief of Principles” and chase after them.
Then, living a lifetime with my beloved Aikawa Uzunami and having a happy ending was the ideal conclusion for Tiara Fuziaze—
“As if…!” Skill… “Reading”…”
I called out its name with all my might, pouring the highest power I had ever possessed into the skill.
And then, I read, even into the slightest possibility of the future.
However, all the futures within the range of my power…
For example, when I read the future where I persuaded Aikawa Uzunami that I could save Aikawa Hidaki and took him back to his original world. I notified him of the world’s truth in an underground space beyond the reach of “Threads.”
But that future ended with the page: *”Tiara Fuziaze died of old age in the arms of the man she loved.”*
For example, when I read the future where I collaborated with Lord, Aid, and Seldra in the “Northern Alliance” to counter Aikawa Hidaki. I gathered the world’s strongest forces to confront her when she revived.
But that future also ended with the page: *”Tiara Fuziaze died of old age in the arms of the man she loved.”*
For example, when I read the future where I unified the continent and designated Aikawa Hidaki as an enemy of Revannism. With the cooperation of the Apostles, I continued to defend against the invasion from another world.
However, the page that followed ended with “Tiara Fuziaze dies of old age in the arms of her beloved.”
No matter the circumstances, I would ultimately dispel the “Curse” and end up with “Tiara Fuziaze dies of old age in the arms of her beloved.” And at that time, my master would still be young, leaving me behind.
I realized my own lack of power and let out a sound from the back of my throat. “No… I will absolutely… until the end…”
As I muttered, I began to wander the Fuziaze Castle like a ghost.
I had a way to replenish my insufficient power. As part of my “Magic” plan, I entered the “Magic Stone Human” research institute within the grounds. The first floor of the usual tower was lined with bookshelves, so I headed straight for the third floor where the more serious experiments were conducted. My sister Hidaki and Legacy used to be here, but neither of them are here anymore. “Thief of the Principles of Light,” which was completed here, has also not returned from the front lines.
“P-Princess…?”
One of Fuziaze’s capable researchers noticed my sudden appearance and called out to me. Mimicking Hidaki Sister’s smile, I began to replenish what I was lacking.
“Hee hee, I need something… So, I’ll be taking it. –Magic (Blood).”
I bit my palm lightly with my teeth, creating a wound, and cast a spell. Then, I absorbed the blood from the piled-up corpses of “Demon” and drank it through my wound. I deliberately used the “Power of Blood” to gather it, rather than extracting their souls with the “Power of Dimensions.” Naturally, I absorbed all the magic power contained within this strong stench of death.
“Eek–!”
By the time the researchers let out short screams of surprise, all the corpses had become desiccated, and all the blood and magic power had vanished from the tower.
“I’m sorry. But don’t worry, I’ll make sure new corpses are brought in soon.”
“…Yes.”
I have no intention of destroying this research institute. In fact, I came here relying on it.
“Also, there’s something I’d like you to do here. Is that alright?”
“…Of course. Princess Tiara.”
“H-hee hee. That’s good. I was worried you might say no…”
From this day on, this institute would not only research “Magic Stone Humans” but also my blood. I wanted to recreate the peace that was once made in Fanian with the blood of “The One Who Steals the Logic of Fire,” now with my own blood.
Having completed one part of my plan, I retreated to the underground space of another world. There, I brought in a large quantity of blank books and continued my “Reading.”
“More skill… I need to read ahead… Read much, much more…”
I knelt in the center of the pile of books, muttering with my head down. “No, just reading isn’t enough… If I don’t change what comes after, it’s meaningless…”
I picked up a feather pen and began writing in the blank books. By moving my hands as well as my mind, I reinforced the power of the “Reading” skill. If “Persuading Aikawa Uzunami and bringing him back to the original world” wasn’t enough, I tried adding “Win over the dark armored soldiers of the other world.” I also included “Awaken the higher demons in various regions” and “Drag out the master in the ‘Deepest Part’,” adding a large amount of text, but—
“Not enough…”
No matter how much I wrote, I couldn’t escape the future where “Tiara Fuziaze dies of old age in the arms of her beloved.”
As I pondered how to change the ending, I realized that my writing speed was too slow. Therefore, I abandoned writing stories by hand.
“I don’t have enough hands… –Magic (Blood).”
From the wound on my palm, I spat out the blood I had absorbed. It writhed like a living creature, crawling over the surrounding blank books. Then, in dark red bloody letters, all possible futures were written on the paper.
First, I wrote the future of “What if I extracted Hidaki Sister’s magic stone?” Then, I wrote the future of “What if Master refused?” and “What if Master accepted?” Furthermore, “What if I cooperated with Northfield Fuziaze?” and “What if I cooperated with Seldra Queen Filion?” Also, “What if I ran away?” “What if I fought?” “What if we talked?” “What if I won?” “What if I lost?” and so on, and so on, and so on, and so on, and so on—
As I wrote out the infinitely branching futures, my consciousness gradually drifted away. I was too focused on the futures to know where I was or what I was doing. Even with the “Intelligence” stat increased by “Level Up,” this task was a brain-frying burden.
Still, within my hazy consciousness, I continued “Writing.”
“Still… not enough…”
All the blank paper I had brought was soon filled with text.
Using “Power of Dimensions” — “Dimension” — I read them, while using “Blood” to continue moving the blood around. At the extreme of fatigue and poor health, my eyes and arms were no longer moving. However, next, I began writing bloody letters on the stone floor, stone walls, and stone ceiling of the underground space.
“Not enough… writing space…”
This too was filled within a few days, and next, I turned my attention to the magic stones. Through the “Writing” work so far, I had learned that magic stones were suited for “Reading,” and blood was suited for “Writing.”
Even if other “Spell Formations” were written into the magic stones, I forcibly overwrote them with the “Power of Blood.” The inside of the magic stones was truly vast, with far more available space to write than on paper books or stone walls.
However, as one problem was solved, another arose.
“Next… not enough… time…”
My speed of reading the future and adding to it had already surpassed human limits. However, when compared to Hidaki Sister, it was far from satisfactory. And because I was considering Hidaki Sister, I knew the solution well.
“Curse Technique… No, Magic (Level Up)…”
I consumed the magic power I had gathered and replicated the cells within my body. Furthermore, deeming that I no longer needed wasted power for fighting, I converted all sorts of magic power into white “Threads.”
Through repeated “Level Up,” I already possessed an “Intelligence” stat higher than the average person. As a result of this intentional conversion, a single strand of white “Thread” that could not be contained within my body emerged outside, and then—
“Gah—Ahh—!!”
The moment it touched the air, intense pain struck my entire body. It was a throbbing sensation like all my skin had been stripped off, and a shock like my stomach and intestines had been dragged out through my throat.
My vision flickered, my thoughts blinked, and I slammed my face into the ground. However, the pain of my nose being crushed felt mild compared to the intense pain of that white “Thread.”
“Hah, hah, hah…!”
The white “Thread” had vanished due to a failed conversion. Regretting my inability to withstand the pain, I stood up and moved.
Returning to the original world, I walked along the walls within Fuziaze Castle to replenish what I was lacking once more.
“Hee hee… I lack patience, too…”
My physical condition began to worsen, but I didn’t stop. At this time, I envisioned Hidaki Sister, who manipulated countless white “Threads.”
Always alone in the garden, writing her book, Hidaki Sister would smile and wait for my return. I could still vividly remember the “Promise” from that day. When I clasped her hand and said, “It’s a ‘Promise’!” she looked happy. Nodding slightly, she said, “Yes, it’s a ‘Promise’…” and told me she could finally go all out.
“Still not enough… for ‘Equal footing’…”
“Everyone together,” as I thought it, included Hidaki Sister. None of my “Magic” has exceptions.
But I still haven’t even reached “Equal footing” with Hidaki Sister. There was too much lacking. Hands, mind, skills, power, patience, and most importantly—
“Faster, or I won’t make it…”
I knew from the work so far that the preparation period was limited to “New Era Year 12.” In all possible futures, the year when Master would “become the same ‘Monster’ as my sister” was fast approaching.
—But just before that, I found it. I encountered an existence that could solve all that was lacking. That it was none other than “Aikawa Uzunami” who prepared it, I felt held meaning.
