Fafnir Helvishein had chosen a small house for their base. The house was neither sturdy nor grand; it was more fitting to call it a shack.
Most of the living essentials were hung on the walls, and the only furniture was a single bed for one person. It was cramped for five people, but that was just right. Upon entering the shack, Kuuneru immediately strengthened her power, creating a large “Safe Zone” inside. Otherwise, the floor and walls would have been stained with blood, making them unusable. The power of the high-ranking demon was immense; she even controlled the blood soaked into the bed, flushing it out like an ebbing tide. Then, she quickly sealed the entrance, hardened the gaps with blood, and closed the window with its wooden lid. Kuuneru declared, “Sealing complete!” Kanami, who was very clean, then lightly cleaned the area with Wind Magic, and the party began to rest.
Because it was small, the “Safe Zone” was completed in a short time. Sis occupied the bed, Kuuneru sprawled on the floor, and the two men leaned against the wall with their eyes closed. They wanted to rest their weary bodies from walking all day and get at least a little sleep. I watched them from the entrance.
Just a few minutes later, there was a knock on the wooden door. It was a short, soft knock, “Ton ton.” Kanami and Seldra, who were on watch and not intending to sleep deeply, raised their heads first. Kuuneru, who had been lying down, brought her hands behind her head, adopting a defensive posture. As an observer, I moved to the corner of the room to avoid getting in the way. Sis continued to sleep soundly on the bed.
Kanami stood up, opened the shack’s window slightly, and checked the surroundings outside. But he quickly shook his head at us, signaling that there was no one there.
Then, what was that sound? I thought I misheard, but since even Kanami heard it, the possibility was low. While I was pondering, Kanami sat down again, leaning his back against the wall… and then, another soft, short knock, “Ton ton.” Kanami was forced to check outside again and was told to shake his head. He then accepted that this place called the “Blood Land” was “just like that” and closed his eyes again by the wall. Seldra also began to ignore the knocking.
However, since no one was checking, the knocking grew louder. It became a “Don don,” so loud that the door might break. At that point, Seldra chanted a magic spell.
“——Vibration.”
The sound stopped abruptly. All external interference, including the impact of the knocking, could no longer reach the room.
Perhaps that was a silencing spell… or was it a “Curse Technique”? It felt more like a “Curse Technique” than magic. Somewhere, I had seen something like this before…
“——Eh?”
If I had seen it, not from knowledge gained from Kanami, but with my own eyes… it would mean that “Vibration” was used at the “Seventh Demon Obstacle Research Institute” a thousand years ago.
Slowly, I turned my gaze towards Seldra. As I stared at his face, etched with old scars, I was overcome with a strange sense of exhilaration. Noticing my gaze, Seldra immediately averted his face and closed his eyelids again. In the room, free from noise, he seemed to be concentrating on resting. The other members seemed to be the same, all trying to recover from the day’s fatigue without disturbing the silence.
——But then, with a rustling sound.
A single, round human eyeball appeared from nowhere. It rolled across the shack’s floor and bumped into Kuuneru’s side, who was lying in the center of the room. Kuuneru, still lying down, reached into her clothing and fumbled with the foreign object that had bumped into her. The moment she realized it was an eyeball, she let out a small scream. However, her response was swift. She picked up the eyeball with her fingertips, opened the window slightly, and tossed it out, saying “Poit!” Kuuneru wiped the cold sweat from her forehead and assumed a defensive posture in the center of the room again, trying to fall asleep.
——A few tens of seconds later.
The intervals were getting shorter. Again, with a rustling sound, an eyeball rolled in from somewhere and hit Kuuneru’s waist. This time, it was three of them. When Kuuneru looked at them, the three eyeballs moved in unison, rolling their eyes. Kuuneru, whose eyes met them completely, had her face contorted. Finally breaking her rest time, she began to shout and speak earnestly.
“——I can’t sleepeeee! Chairman, do something!”
As she stood up, Kanami reluctantly began to move. He gently scooped up the rolling eyeballs with both hands and threw them out the window. Then, he carefully examined the inside and outside of the house to find the cause. Even if Dimensional Magic was prohibited, he would be able to detect anything if he used his other skills seriously.
“…Hmm. When I look away, they seem to spring from the ground in that moment. It’s because a lot of blood has soaked into the ground.”
Unlike modern stone houses, this was a thousand-year-old structure. Neatly leveled soil served as the shack’s floor. Pointing to the moist ground, Kanami continued his explanation.
“I think I understand the rules of the ‘Blood Land’ a little. It’s not like ‘Blood Dolls’ are born suddenly, but rather ‘Eyes,’ ‘Arms,’… body parts spring forth. If you look closely, there was something that looked like an ‘Arm’ clinging to the outside of the door.”
“From… parts? Was that clinging arm the one knocking? Like how the eyes were moving just now?”
“That’s right. But just parts don’t seem to be that harmful. Body parts, organs, and such will likely spring from the ground, but let’s try to rest without paying attention to it.”
“No, I can’t rest! I care! I care a lot!”
Kanami probably wanted to say, “There’s nothing scarier than a horror experience whose cause you understand.” However, Kuuneru was not reassured at all, and more screams echoed through the shack. Reacting to the noise, Sis on the bed groaned, “Mm, mm…” Kanami hastily put a finger to his mouth and tried to calm Kuuneru down. Then, Seldra supported the leader’s persuasion.
“Kuuneru Regia. Compared to Sera Radiant’s report, this is tens of times better, isn’t it? Just close your eyes. That alone will help you rest.”
“No, no, no, closing my eyes here…”
Kuuneru looked around. She spotted only a ‘Leg’ in the corner of the room and shook her head repeatedly, answering, “Impossible.” She probably imagined the situation after resting sufficiently. She couldn’t bear the thought of being next to scattered human limbs when she woke up. However, the reason seemed to be more about “not being safe” than “being scary.” Kuuneru became serious and stated her opinion on the situation to the party leader.
“Chairman… I feel Fafnir Helvishein’s intent from this situation, that he doesn’t want us to rest. To be blunt, we’ve been completely pinpointed and are under attack, haven’t we?” This was related to the peaceful resolution, the ultimate goal of the “First Expeditionary Force.” Kanami couldn’t deny it immediately, so Seldra answered vaguely instead.
“If we’ve been pinpointed, wouldn’t they contact us with magic or something? Even ‘Thieves of Principles,’ they can’t possibly monitor the entire continent all the time.”
“…Either way, there’s the fact that Fafnir had countermeasures for Dimension. He’d spent a long time soaking Nosfy’s ‘術式 that repels dimensional attributes’ into the ‘Blood Land.’ This is already…”
“Are you saying they’re rejecting Kanami? Because they don’t know where Kanami might invade from, they’ve imposed these harassing rules across the entire ‘Blood Land’?”
“Seldra-sama, please be quiet for a moment. …Chairman, don’t you think we should judge that they are already hostile? Won’t you use dimensional magic all at once? If you wanted to, you could forcibly push aside the ‘術式 that repels dimensional attributes’ and spread Dimension across the entire continent, couldn’t you?” Kuuneru, who was merely hired, requested the leader to terminate the operation early. Even within the “First Expeditionary Force,” their intentions and goals were not completely aligned. Kanami spoke to the less motivated members.
“It’s too soon for that. If we forcibly invade the ‘Blood Land,’ it will distance us from any discussion with Fafnir… and it will definitely go wrong. I want it to end with as little conflict as possible. As peacefully as possible.” Kanami mumbled, looking at his right arm. His aim was clear. Like the “Blood Doll” from earlier – no, like the “Thieves of Principles” he had defeated so far – he likely wanted to fulfill Fafnir’s “Lingering Desire” by using “Past Sight.” His expression was gentle and soft, but his will was firm. Knowing that his policy wouldn’t change unless something extraordinary happened, Kuuneru could only shrug her shoulders.
“Haa… Can it really end peacefully? With someone so crazy that they aim for human extinction out of concern for humanity’s future?” The personality and goals of the “Thieves of Principles” had been shared in advance. That’s why Kuuneru felt them as enemies and was so wary. That information and wariness were not mistaken. I, who knew Fafnir from a thousand years ago, can attest to that. He hasn’t changed at all. His goal since a thousand years ago has been— To save as many “unfortunate” people living in this world as possible. It’s a noble aspiration. That is, except for the fact that his methods have changed repeatedly. At first, Fafnir, as one of the theologians, tried to save people by earnestly spreading religion. However, when he learned that the religion he believed in was a ‘tool for exploiting the weak,’ he began to fixate on the individual named Kanami Aikawa. Furthermore, a thousand years later. He understood that even a ‘Savior’ is not absolute and can die—and concluded that human extinction, regardless of human or demon, was the surest way to save the world. From the fact that the “Blood Land” continues to spread even now, Fafnir must still be aiming for human extinction. The “Senate,” which represents humanity, also judges so. Kuuneru grumbles about the abnormality of this “Thief of Principles.”
“…Fafnir Helvishein is an idiot. Even if he manages to wipe out humanity, I think similar beings will just be born again. What he’s trying to do is just slaughter. It’s just a nuisance to people who live earnestly.” There was no longer any sign of trying to sleep. If she couldn’t close her eyes, Kuuneru seemed to have decided to relieve her stress by talking. Kanami indulged in her slight grumbling. However, more seriously than necessary.
“I think Fafnir knows that too. …So, if the potential to replace humanity were to arise, he would have immediately suppressed it.”
“Eh?” With a bit of grumbling, Kuuneru unexpectedly learned that Fafnir’s wish was more than just human extinction.
“After achieving human extinction, he would remain as the ‘last person’ and protect that peaceful world for thousands, even tens of thousands, of years. Even if there was interference from ‘Another World,’ he would repel it all alone. …At least, Ragune Kaikuola, who proposed human extinction to Fafnir, was prepared for that.” Kanami placed a hand on his chest, confirming the feelings of a single girl. Kuuneru, knowing Kanami’s current situation, had no choice but to believe it was not a lie.
“If that’s what he’s going to do… it’s worse than Hidaki’s ‘Winter Otherworld,’ isn’t it? I could understand the parts about conquering the world through illusions. But Fafnir is overtly the ‘enemy of the world.’ Chairman, please tell us things like that beforehand in the ‘Senate Assembly Room’.”
“If I told you this in advance, I think Kuuneru would genuinely run away… so I kept silent. There was also the risk that Diplakla-san and Fedelt-san would prioritize the ‘Secondary Expeditionary Force’.”
“Eh, eeeeh… Let’s stop, okay? But even so, please stop telling us just as we’re unable to escape in the enemy’s territory…” Unexpectedly learning that the person they were about to meet was beyond comprehension, Kuuneru pleaded, clinging to him. However, Kanami ruthlessly continued his pursuit.
“On top of that, I still want to fulfill Fafnir’s ‘dream’ of human extinction as much as possible.”
“Fulfill!? That’s why I’m saying, let’s stop releasing new information here! Just as Chairman predicted, I really want to go home now!!” Including her boss, who she was currently talking to, she found him incomprehensible, and Kuuneru finally burst into tears. Both I and Kanami hastily glanced at Sis sleeping on the bed in the room. She showed no signs of waking. It was probably due to the fatigue from walking all day, but she seemed to be a deep sleeper. Instead of Kanami, who looked relieved, Seldra continued the conversation with Kuuneru.
“Rest assured, Kuuneru Regia. We will prepare a world where his ‘dream’ can be fulfilled, but we will not let him interfere with the world we live in.”
“No, I’m scared when you say things like ‘prepare a world’ so casually.” I agreed with that. Even I, who had experienced various “Curse Techniques” at that institute and learned knowledge from various researchers, found the thoughts and powers of these two “Thieves of Principles” to be outside the realm of reason. However, through the “Distance Mute” from before, I understood them a little. In the near future, Kanami will be in a position where his “preparing a world” is not a joke. He is heading towards becoming the “Lord of the World” that only appears in religious texts and myths, and he can even see “beyond that.” That’s precisely why he is so relaxed and tries to save the “Thieves of Principles” with the same methods as the “Blood Doll”—within that overly broad, “as much as possible” scope.
“However, won’t that mean that, like my ‘Lingering Desire,’ it can only be fulfilled after Kanami becomes the ‘Lord of the World’? And will it be fulfilled by finding an ‘Other World’ with celestial bodies and allowing him to freely manage one star—something like that?”
“Seldra, you really like sci-fi, don’t you? You don’t need to do anything like that; Fafnir will be satisfied with his life in the ‘Winter Otherworld.’ That’s why Hidaki has kept Fafnir away all this time. So that he wouldn’t accidentally disappear.”
“No, as a representative of ordinary citizens, I want Fafnir to be annihilated without question. I’ll make that request now.” Each of them talked about Fafnir’s future as they pleased. I watched them. As an observer, I would not interfere with the world at all. I would not interact with it. That is how I have lived for a thousand years—
“——What do you think? You, who were close to Fafnir.” However, that way of life was not permitted. Kanami was watching me. His deep eyes peered into mine, as if not letting me escape.
“What do I think…? My mouth wouldn’t move at the unexpected question. It’s the first time I’ve been asked for my opinion… I think. Because other than myself, no one knew I was sane. It’s natural that it’s the first time. Everyone tried to talk to me, but were blocked by the language barrier and gave up. The researchers from a thousand years ago all said I was ‘not sane. Crazy.’ That’s why they favored me, saying, ‘No risk of information leak. A useful child.'”
— But Kanami had “Past Sight” of my entire life accurately. Just as I was convinced Kanami was sane, Kanami was convinced I was sane.
“Fafnir’s foolish ‘dream’ should remain a ‘dream.’ It’s best to leave it alone. He has no ‘Lingering Desire,’ nor is he seeking salvation.”
“……Leave him alone, you say…” That’s why I also gave my opinion freely on Fafnir’s future. Hearing my answer, Kanami repeated it as if savoring it. In contrast, Kuuneru approached me with a very happy expression.
“Oh? Oh, oh, oh! The cleaning lady has an opinion close to mine! Heh heh heh, I believed in the cleaning lady. Friends, friends!” I ignored Kuuneru, who was patting my red, squishy head, and looked down. Staring at the damp ground of the shack, I dug up memories from a thousand years ago. The ground of the former “Seventh Demon Obstacle Research Institute” was also soaked with blood like this. Especially the “Sacred Object Storage Room” at the lowest level was so saturated that it would not be an exaggeration to describe it as the reddest in the world. That place was the bottom of hell, the place with the densest “unhappiness” in this world. However, in that room, not a single person I knew wished to be “saved.” Helmina-sama and Fafnir had wished to “save” someone, but never uttered the opposite words. And me too. Yes. It never happened even once. That’s why Fafnir has no need for salvation. Kanami, more than anyone, should know that. I know that Kanami knows. —What’s important is the alignment of “wanting to be saved” and “wanting to save.” The child I saved at the institute back then stabbed your loved one in the abdomen. That incident must be lingering somewhere in your heart. The reason you checked even the “Blood Doll’s” “Lingering Desire” is because it’s a trauma. Above all, it’s the regret of not being able to realize your only sister’s wish to be “saved” until the end. And the reality that now, it will never align with “The One and Only Destined Person.” No one understands Fafnir’s feelings better than you do, and no one understands your feelings better than I do. You must understand. From now on, you will not go to battle, but to choose an ending. The ending of the ‘Great Savior’ you will play—
“Mmm! Cleaning lady, where are you looking…— again?”
“……Again?”
— I came back to my senses at Kuuneru’s voice. Unbeknownst to me, there was an eyeball in front of my gaze. This time, there were five. They were clustered and rolling on the damp ground. And, just like before, they began to move. However, the direction they were looking was not at Kuuneru, but at me, the “Blood Doll.” Staring intently at each other for a few seconds. I realized one thing. I had seen them before. Peering into eyes that should have had no distinguishing features, I was about to recall who they were—when Kuuneru next to me picked up the eyeballs.
“So dirty, so dirty. For now, let’s throw them outside. Let’s keep the inside of the shack as clean and tidy as possible—” She scooped up all five with both hands. Breaking the eye contact between me and them, she started to take them to the window with a light tone.
— That became the trigger.
“——tch!? Kuuneru!! Throw them out immediately!!” Kanami, sensing a surge of vast magical power, shouted before I could. Without regard for Sis sleeping, a loud voice echoed in the shack.
“——tch!” Kuuneru’s movements were swift and precise in response to the leader’s command. Without hesitation, she followed his words and collapsed her cupped hands. Naturally, the five eyeballs should have spilled onto the ground— But they didn’t fall. They stopped in mid-air. Hovering and stopping precisely at eye level. Then, the eyeballs began to rapidly inflate in magical power and volume. They grew to a size not human, and their color gradually became strange. The parts corresponding to the whites and pupils turned red, transforming into something that could no longer be called eyeballs. Gradually, cracks appeared in something round and large, and it split as if breaking a bubble. Five became ten, ten became twenty, and twenty became forty, a sight like grapes growing. These rich fruits had bodies that could be called trunks. Thin tubes, like intestines, stretched out like human limbs. The shape was similar to a “Blood Doll,” but it had a malevolence that made it clear it was a different “Something of Blood.” Seeing it, my mind was flooded with red. Not in a bad way. Overwhelmed with nostalgia, I was stunned. Now I remember. This wasn’t “Something of Blood.” It had a proper name. The researchers from a thousand years ago called them “failed creations” and “monsters,” but I, who was in charge of their care, disagreed. I treated them like I would pet animals, so I was particular about their names. They had intentions, not just inanimate objects or monsters. However, communicating with them was as difficult as interacting with wild animals— I arbitrarily called them “Blood Beasts,” thinking it was similar to keeping beasts. That “Blood Beast,” in its extremely bizarre form, made Kuuneru and Seldra turn pale. They couldn’t move their limbs, let alone breathe. Their inability to move, frozen in place, was the same symptom as the former researchers. However, unlike those researchers, the fatal factor was the distance. In the narrow shack, the “Blood Beast” began to move right under their noses. *Next week’s posting will be skipped.*
