Glen Walker’s “Demonization” was terribly ominous.
He alone was different from the other “Demon Returns.”
Knights like those of the Seven Knights of Heaven or Elmiraud didn’t feel madness no matter how their forms changed. Even if they deviated from human form, they didn’t deviate from common sense.
However, Glen, who had transformed into a giant bee, was distorted, too close to a monster.
Four wings were still acceptable.
But his forelegs had become scythes, six of them. With multiple joints, they moved like chains. Furthermore, the bee’s characteristic stinger was also present, two of them—
“It’s a little strange, isn’t it?”
A little distance from the battlefield, I voiced my thoughts.
I had tried to seek agreement by making a subtle pause, but there was no response. My companion Sera-chan also didn’t react. Snow’s rough fighting style had made the fifteenth floor’s footing treacherous, so I had her wait on the upper floors as she couldn’t utilize her speed there.
I hid in the shadows of rubble that were easy to conceal myself in, a smile forming on my lips. Glen had transformed into a large insect monster that evoked a visceral aversion, but to me, who had obtained knowledge from a thousand years ago, he was no threat. In that state, he was no different from a minor monster whose strategy I knew how to overcome.
In the atrium at the center of the floor, I watched the Walker siblings flying at high speed. Snow used the blue dragon wings on her back to create “Dragon’s Wind” and constantly emitted “Dragon’s Roar” from her throat. Glen, on the other hand, disliked close combat, continuously flapping his four wings, skillfully avoiding direct hits.
“—AaahhhAaahhh, Aaaaaaaahhh!!”
“――――ッ!!”
A good stalemate. I gathered the overflowing magic power into my right arm for a surprise attack.
Just like with Elmiraud, my target was to cancel “Demonization.” The extraneous blood Fafnir had added would also be removed simultaneously.
I could do that. Rustiara Fuziaze was clearly the natural enemy of both the “Thief of the Law of Blood” and “Demon Returns.”
“…But this isn’t something I should brag about.”
The reason I can easily cancel “Demonization” is likely due to the research Hermina Neisha, a researcher from a thousand years ago, continued until her death. That fruit of her labor has, through Tiara-sama, finally borne results a thousand years later.
Therefore, Glen would be fortunate enough to return to his senses unharmed before killing his own sister with his own hands.
With gratitude to the researchers from a thousand years ago, I ran forward silently. I moved through the shadows of the rubble, maintaining Glen’s blind spot. Then, just as Snow, with a battle cry, was about to deliver a full-power strike to her brother, I leaped.
“—_Dragoōn Ādā_!!”
Snow, flying through the fifteenth floor sky, released a sphere solidified by “Dragon’s Wind” along with a roar. Glen, completely reading the magic’s trajectory, dodged sideways in mid-air. However, I had also perfectly read his intended evasion path.
Leaping at the perfect moment, I took him from behind. Then, I unleashed the “Blood Technique” with the magic I had accumulated, from my right arm.
“—_Blood_.”
Glen reacted to my surprise attack—he had. But the moment he lightly turned his face backward and confirmed my face, he poured all his strength into his body, immobilizing himself as if to say, “I was waiting for this.”
My magic struck Glen’s rigid and defenseless body directly. Just like with Elmiraud, his “Demonization” was suppressed, and all the magic inducing the rampage was removed.
Glen dispersed mana as voluminous as that of a “Thief of Principles,” losing his monstrous features gradually as particles of light scattered. With the disappearance of those strange four wings, Glen could no longer fly. I immediately scooped up his body and, using wind magic to kill the impact, landed on the fifteenth floor floor, preventing him from being slammed down.
“Huuuh…”
Having defeated the second “Demon Return,” I let out a second sigh of relief and leaned Glen’s body against nearby rubble. He thanked me with his head bowed.
“Rustiara-chan, thank you… But how… Fafnir-sama’s blood…?”
Unlike Elmiraud, Glen’s injuries were minor. However, his breaths were ragged, and he was so exhausted he looked on the verge of fainting. He was likely forced into the strenuous “Demonization.” His body was probably crying out for immediate rest after exceeding its limits.
I had little time to talk with Glen, so I decided to say my farewells without answering his question.
“Thank you is on my side… I am truly grateful. Explorer Glen.”
“Eh…?”
Glen’s mouth fell open at my suddenly formal bow and gratitude. Ignoring his confusion, I added,
“Your adventures, which you told me about a year ago… they shone so brightly within the sealed Cathedral. I can say that I wouldn’t be who I am today if I hadn’t met you.”
In the past, my guardian Hein had brought me to the Cathedral garden several times. Honestly, Glen the explorer’s stories were all too realistic and not interesting as tales. They were all about politics and power struggles, and I distinctly remember him pouting, saying, “He’s a disappointment.”
However, looking back now, it was thanks to Glen’s stories that I ventured into the labyrinth myself and met Kanami.
“Ra, Rustiara-chan…? Could it be…?”
“Thank you for everything. See you, Glen.”
Seeing my heartfelt gratitude, Glen seemed to sense something. He was as perceptive as ever, but time was running out. I forcefully concluded our farewell and watched as his consciousness faded.
“W, wait… a little longer… talk—”
Glen tried to reach out to me with his trembling arm but lost strength midway. Like a puppet whose strings had been cut, all the strength drained from his body. I felt relieved after checking his condition with my knowledge of medicine, extracted through blood magic, and confirming he was stable.
Just then, Snow, who had been flying all along, launched herself forcefully toward my chest.
“Ra, Ra Ra Rustiara-samaaa!! Thank you! That older brother of mine was unexpectedly strong! Such a pain—!”
“Guh, nnngh!”
Snow hadn’t dispelled her “Dragonization” yet, so the weight of her wings and enlarged limbs were added to her hug. Groaning, I managed to hold Snow tighter with sheer will and patted her head.
“There, there. You did great, Snow. I’m glad it went well.”
“Thank you so much for saving me. I thought I could win more easily…”
Glen’s strength was undeniable. It was only natural, as the “Thief of the Law of Blood” Fafnir had pushed his power to his limits. However, I doubted if he had displayed his true capabilities, unlike Elmiraud. Glen Walker always, unfortunately, fought opponents he couldn’t fully defeat. The “Thief of Principles” Rowen, with whom he had trauma. His beloved sister, Snow. And me, the natural enemy of “Demon Returns.” All situations where he was at a disadvantage before the battle even began.
But perhaps it was Glen’s luck that he could lose due to such an unfavorable match-up. I was grateful for my luck in being able to incapacitate him like this before seeing his true fighting style, which I had only heard about.
Then, Snow walked towards Glen’s body and lifted a nearby piece of rubble.
“Brother goes like this…”
She unceremoniously placed it on top of her fallen brother’s body. She had carefully sealed both his arms and legs, intending to prevent him from moving easily even if he woke up. His head was not crushed, so he could breathe, but his limbs looked like they might be crushed at any moment. Considering the vitality of “Demon Returns,” it was quite a brutal treatment.
Even though my skill “Reading” had predicted that “Glen would not fight anyone else today,” I watched because it was interesting. After confirming Glen was incapacitated by Snow’s hands, I headed for the floor below.
“—Snow, let’s go back to the first floor to help Maria-chan and Dia. Something’s clearly wrong downstairs.”
“Downstairs? Rustiara-sama, upstairs is…”
However, Snow, while patting Sera-chan’s back who had joined us later, looked towards the upper floors. I repeated the words I had said to Sera-chan earlier.
“Upstairs, Nosfy will win. Kanami will be fine.”
Hearing that, Snow narrowed her eyes as she looked upstairs and thought for a few seconds.
“…Okay, I believe you. Nosfy is our comrade too.”
She dropped her casual polite language and nodded forcefully, her gaze shifting back downstairs. Before storming Fuziaze Castle, Snow had also heard Nosfy’s “Incantation.” That was why she trusted Nosfy and entrusted her feelings to him, leaving Kanami’s resurrection to him.
If I still had a role to play, it was to “swiftly subdue Fafnir, the ‘Thief of the Law of Blood’ who controls this blood-soaked castle, to support Nosfy advancing upstairs.” She understood this clearly.
“Let’s hurry. We don’t have much time.”
I started to move, speaking little. Just then, I felt a gust of cold air blow up from the floor below. A chill, unbecoming of the heat of battle, ran down my spine. A shiver engulfed my whole body, and the gaze of “Split,” who was watching closely behind me, intensified.
—It was an undeniable premonition of “death.”
But I had no intention of stopping. Even now, a red “Thread” was beckoning me downstairs. I couldn’t be outdone by Nosfy. This “Thread” was a signpost showing me the path I should take. It was undoubtedly the connection of trust itself. I wanted to go further than this “Thread”—
“—Is it really trust? Following that ‘Thread’ will only lead you to a future where you are disposable.”
Before those words, which shook my resolve, could shake the air of the entire fifteenth floor, a voice echoed. It was a loud, heavy voice, like vibration magic, so at first, I thought it was Snow, who excelled at non-elemental magic.
But it was wrong. The source was one of the large pieces of rubble scattered across the fifteenth floor. From behind it, the speaker appeared.
He was a man with short blue hair and a scarred face. He wore thick armor, but thanks to his massive physique and good core strength, he moved with a lightness as if he were wearing silk clothes. He was an adult with a solid sense of stability and solemnity. And, above all, his most prominent features were large horns and a thick tail—
“W, We’re the same Dragon Person…?”
Snow, standing right next to me, voiced the answer before I could. Furthermore, the man who appeared bore striking resemblances to Snow. Not in his demeanor or personality, but in his cool eyes and hair color, one could sense their blood relation.
—It was conceivable that he was Snow’s biological father?
I wanted to ask the man about his relationship with Snow, but he only spoke to me.
“No matter how many pretty words you string together, you will be killed by your birth mother. Yet, why don’t you run? Tiara’s replica.”
Although questioned, I first looked at my companions’ reactions. It seemed my unspoken questions were understood. Snow and Sera-chan shook their heads and briefly replied, “We don’t know.” Using that information, I asked the man on behalf of the group.
“Who are you…?”
Hearing that, the man lightly scratched the back of his head. Then, after a brief pause, he gave a very calm self-introduction.
“You know me well, don’t you? …My name is Seldra Queenfilion. I am the guardian of the 80th floor and the ‘Thief of Nothingness.’ As you can see, I am a ‘Demon’ mixed with dragon blood.”
Indeed, I knew him well. Not just from the tale of the Northern Commander from a thousand years ago that Kanami had told me. In Tiara-sama’s memories, I had seen him standing shoulder to shoulder with Lord Titty, who was once called the “Demon King.” His magic and presence rivaled that of the “Wind,” and he was called the “Strongest” during the chaotic era, even instilling fear in those apostles. However, why was Seldra, the “Thief of Nothingness,” here? The question was soon answered.
“I finished a job and was observing the strength of my descendant, Snow Walker. As the ‘Mightiest One’ from a thousand years ago, I was a bit curious about the strength of the current ‘Strongest.'”
Only then did his gaze turn to Snow, his kin. But that gaze quickly broke, and Seldra looked at someone else. He smiled as if he had found a fellow dragonkin towards the fallen Glen. Then, his gaze returned to me.
“However, more importantly, it’s you now. Tiara’s replica, you and I need to talk.”
He directed a sharp gaze at me, implying that it was my turn to answer now that he had answered my question. The initial question was repeated.
“Why won’t you run? You and Nosfy Fuziaze, who carries the Fuziaze name, will die if you follow that ‘Thread.’ You will be disposable—that is your fate.”
When Seldra uttered the word “fate,” his eyes followed the red “Thread” and “Split.” He not only knew but could see it. Without a doubt, like Ragune-chan, Seldra was one of those who knew. I wouldn’t be able to make any easy excuses. More importantly, Seldra had been honest so far. Even with Snow and Sera-chan present, I felt I should respond with equal sincerity.
“…The reason I don’t run is because I believe in Tiara-sama.”
“You believe? Believe what about her? There’s nothing to believe in. She was a woman full of lies from beginning to end.”
“That’s not true. There were many things I could believe in. Tiara-sama will surely write the final page that I can accept.”
“Your mother is just showing you off to that wicked woman. There isn’t a shred of affection in it.”
“Perhaps, from an outsider’s perspective, it may seem so. But that’s for me to decide. Whether it’s love or not is up to me from now on.”
Seldra fell silent for a moment. He seemed to understand that no matter what he said, I wouldn’t waver. However, judging from Seldra’s expression, he didn’t seem convinced. I added, a little perplexed,
“And… I want to save them.”
Hearing that, Seldra frowned, trying to confirm my meaning.
“If it’s Kanami, he’ll be saved even without you. As long as Nosfy Fuziaze’s ‘Magic’ exists, it’s guaranteed.”
“No, Seldra. It’s not just Kanami I want to save. I want to save everyone.”
“You mean… us ‘Thieves of Principles’ too?”
“Yes, you ‘Thieves of Principles’ too. If we don’t save everyone, including the ‘Thief of the Principles of Water,’ doesn’t it feel like it won’t be a true happy ending?”
“…Are you serious about wanting to save the ‘Thief of the Principles of Water’? She calls herself the ‘Thief of the Principles of Water,’ but she’s actually something entirely different. Something more terrifying… closer to that thing over there.”
Saying that, Seldra pointed to “Split,” who was watching me from behind. It was clear he could see it now. And then, he introduced them, juxtaposing that “World” with a single person.
“If you meet her, she’ll mercilessly claim your soul. Aikawa Hitaki is an enemy of the worlds who has come for that purpose. She is not someone you can casually speak of helping.”
“Perhaps… However, if my sister is suffering, I want to have a proper ‘talk’ and reach out to her. …Just like Kanami, even if it means dying.”
At that, Seldra’s expression contorted even further. He seemed unable to comprehend my words “I believe,” “I can accept,” and “even if it means dying,” and repeated his initial question.
“Knowing all that, why are you going to meet Hitaki? She intends to take not only your life but your entire existence…”
“Probably… because that’s the promise we made from the start?”
It was clear that Seldra was genuinely concerned for my future. And as I earnestly answered his question, words I hadn’t expected came out of my mouth. It was likely thanks to the “Incantation” passage I heard earlier. Having re-examined my life, my desires were neatly organized. What was important in my life wasn’t just the day I connected with Kanami at the Eleventh Crossroads of Fuziaze. It was also the day Kanami came to whisk me away to the Cathedral during the first “Rebirth” ceremony—no, strictly speaking, the words exchanged behind Valt’s tavern on the night I first became companions with Kanami were also important passages in my life.
“…I promised Kanami. In exchange for Kanami granting my ‘Dream,’ I would help Kanami return.”
I believe that was the moment I truly began to act as myself. It was also the moment I gained companions and a “dream”-like time began. And I had been constantly afraid of waking up from that “dream.” I was very anxious. But it’s different now. What fills my heart now is—
“Kanami showed me a fun ‘dream.’ And he fulfilled it. …But I still haven’t been able to return anything. That’s why I can’t run away.”
“Helping him return… If it’s a contract of that extent, there’s no problem. It’s possible to travel with dimensional magic. Kanami will certainly be able to return to his original world. You don’t need to help him.”
“No… When Kanami said he wanted to return, it wasn’t about the place. What Kanami was thinking of at that time was—”
However, I couldn’t explain this to Seldra until the end.
“—Seldra.”
The cold wind blowing up from the atrium intensified, and a young girl ascended the stairs, her arrival making the air, and even time, seem to freeze. Forced to interrupt our conversation, Seldra and I turned our eyes in unison. A girl with the same black hair as her brother, extending to her waist, walked towards us. Her eyes were the exact same color, black that seemed to draw you in just by looking at them. Given the similar facial structure to her brother, she was captivating even with her different gender. She was truly beautiful. Her unhealthy white skin and pure white clothes, along with the white ice-attribute magic rising from her feet, created a stunning visual. Most importantly, similar to her brother, the space around her was distorted by dimensional magic. Two types of magical attributes intertwined and swirled, reminiscent of the past magic “Dimension Winter.”
This is Kanami’s sister. Upon the appearance of Hitaki, the “Thief of the Principles of Water,” Seldra clicked his tongue.
“Tsk…”
“…What are you doing?”
Hitaki-chan questioned Seldra with a displeased tone.
“Tiara’s replica was heading downstairs instead of upstairs.”
“Then let her go downstairs. There’s no need to stop her.”
While they were speaking, the ambient temperature continued to drop limitlessly. The most prominent characteristic of the “Thief of the Principles of Water” was cold air. Her breath turned white, the shallow blood at her feet froze, and tiny ice crystals began to dance in the air.
“My job was to prevent her from going upstairs. I don’t know about anything else—you know that and yet you say that.”
“Yes, I know. However, conducting this exchange is important. It’s necessary when using you, who are so bound by duty.”
Even with her magic suppressed, she had this much influence. Snow beside me gasped and froze completely, unable to move. Sera-chan was in the same state. Both of them were awestruck by Hitaki-chan’s true power and form, rendered speechless. The fact that I could remain relatively calm was likely due to knowing beforehand from Tiara-sama’s memories.
“…I will remain silent now. Do as you please.”
“Indeed. Rather than talking at length with you here, she is more important.”
Hitaki-chan and Seldra were collaborators, but they didn’t seem to be comrades. If so, what about us? We had traveled together on a ship for a few days. She had been sleeping, but we weren’t complete strangers. Finally, Seldra’s conversation ended, and Hitaki-chan’s gaze shifted to me.
“I’ve kept you waiting. Nice to meet you, ‘Last Tiara.’ I am Aikawa Hitaki, the younger sister of Aikawa Kanami.”
“Yes, nice to meet you, Hitaki-chan.”
A formal greeting was exchanged first. To me alone—unlike when I was dealing with Seldra, the atmosphere was very friendly and cheerful, leaving Snow and Sera-chan frozen and unable to move.
“Heh heh. However, it doesn’t feel like a first meeting. Perhaps it’s because we traveled together while you were asleep?”
“…Yes, same here. To me, Hitaki-chan is also an important companion.”
Even as we spoke, the fifteenth floor of Fuziaze Castle was rapidly changing. Ice particles mixed with the blood shallows, and the movement of the flowing blood wall stilled, then began to gain color. The color was white. As everything was swallowed by white, the red “Thread” attached to my body disappeared. It retreated into the floor beneath my feet as if fleeing. What remained were “Split” and the “Something” that had been swirling in the air—no, only the numerous white “Threads” extending from Hitaki-chan’s hair tips. Only her “Magic Thread” dominated, gradually transforming the fifteenth floor. It was becoming strikingly similar to Fuziaze’s white garden from a thousand years ago.
Therefore, “we” would report the results of Kanami’s journey, just as we did a thousand years ago.
“Companions? Heh, that’s why you were so unrestrained.”
“…Perhaps you remember me being a pillow several times during our voyage?”
“Yes, I remember. My consciousness doesn’t fade just because I’m sleeping. …Rustiara. Even if you’re less than ten years old, it’s better to quickly get rid of the habit of using someone as a pillow?”
“Hmm, that’s a tough request. If Hitaki-chan doesn’t work, I’ll use Dia next. If that doesn’t work, then Maria-chan or Snow. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say I travel with everyone for this purpose!”
“…Sigh. You truly are a person who dislikes being alone. If I were to say it’s age-appropriate, then so be it… but in those aspects, I personally think you are cute.”
We exchanged words as if confirming something. It looked like casual chatter between casual acquaintances—but in reality, it was something else entirely.
“Yes, I dislike being alone… After all, when you go on an ‘adventure,’ it should be with everyone, right? It’s selfish, but I don’t want anyone to leave our group. I want us all to be together forever.”
“…As expected, you are my Older Brother’s ‘lover.’ You resemble him very much in those aspects. You suit each other perfectly.”
“That’s right, Kanami and I get along well. —That’s why I like Aikawa Kanami.”
However, I had no intention of fighting. The “Duel” that had continued since a thousand years ago thus came to an end. It was concluded very easily by me, the loser.
“…Rustiara Fuziaze and Aikawa Kanami confessed to each other and became ‘lovers.’ The Allied Nations all saw it, and the ‘World’ recognized it. So, no matter who looks at it, I am Kanami’s ‘The One and Only Destined Person.'”
While “Split” watched, Hitaki-chan listened expressionlessly as the conditions for the “Curse” were met. After a sufficient pause, she bit her lower lip slightly and looked down, then asked me, her raw emotions finally surfacing.
“…Rustiara Fuziaze, was the ‘Adventure’ with my Older Brother enjoyable?”
“Yes, it was fun… ‘Adventure’ is really different from reading about it in books. Fighting monsters in a labyrinth, eating delicious food with the money earned, and chatting overnight with companions in the same inn… It was truly enjoyable.”
“I see. Then, it’s fine. In that case, there’s no problem…”
Hitaki-chan faltered. The need for casual conversation ceased, and our dialogue stopped. After all, Hitaki-chan had now won the “Duel” and her objective was promised to be achieved. There was nothing left for her to say to me.
“Ah, Tiara… you truly are…”
That’s why what Hitaki-chan muttered was not my name, but my mother’s name. Though she was looking at me, she was no longer seeing me. With resentment—yet with affection—she spoke the exact same answer as a thousand years ago.
“That’s correct. You truly… are well-made.”
She praised me, looking at me. Those words were too heavy, too painful, too overwhelming—
“—That’s why I can’t watch anymore.”
Without hesitation, Hitaki-chan moved her hand. Ice was generated without incantation. Its shape was a blade. The ice blade extended and approached me.
