The exterior of the Living Legend has changed significantly compared to when Kanami last used it.
This is because it has been repeatedly renovated without the knowledge of its official owner, Kanami Rustiara.
A little while ago, in the battle against the Thief of the Principles of Water, Hitaki, which shook the world, the Living Legend became the mode of transportation for Dia, Maria, Snow, Rainer, and Liner, traveling across dangerous seas filled with ice floes.
At that time, they received backup from the North-South Allied Nations, worthy of entrusting the fate of the world.
First, the hull was coated with melted magic stones. Armor was added to withstand any environment or impact, the internal mechanisms were replaced with the latest ones, and sails made from tanned hides of expensive monsters were rigged – although the armaments were nonexistent, relying solely on Dia and Maria’s magic, it was the world’s best upgrade.
Then, after washing ashore on the Blood Land, it must have been continuously exposed to the sea of blood and fog.
Traces of unusual corrosion and rust were visible everywhere.
It seems to have been modified by Glen, with his skillful hands, to be more user-friendly.
The dazzling brilliance of its new state was completely lost.
It looked extremely heavy and imposing.
Upon closer inspection, parts were rough, damaged, and blackened – but in its place, it exuded a powerful aura worthy of being called a veteran warship.
This reborn Living Legend was moored by being tied to the tallest building in the town with a large amount of Black Threads.
The First Conquest Team immediately boarded.
Then, before new Blood Dolls or Blood Beasts could appear, they removed Glen’s Black Threads that served as an anchor, and with Seldra directing the Dragon’s Wind not onto the sails, but the entire hull, they lightly lifted the ship and set sail very forcefully.
Furthermore, Glen manipulated the sails with Black Threads, and Kanami handled the minor chores before being asked. From then on, the travel was truly fast, and within minutes of weaving through the town’s buildings, the ship gained enough water depth for navigation.
From there, it was a leisurely voyage.
Occasionally, they would encounter Blood Dolls or Blood Beasts, but most were either crushed by the momentum of the massive ship or repelled by the crew’s long-range attacks.
The enemy’s strength, the fear evoked by their monstrous forms, was rendered useless as they were not even sighted.
– This was all several hours ago.
Now, the deck was silent.
As the ship sailed, a blood-scented wind, not a sea breeze, passed by.
It wasn’t that no one was there.
Right behind me was the bed where Sis slept soundly.
In the crow’s nest atop the mast, Glen was on watch, meticulously managing the ship with Black Threads.
Currently absent were Kanami, Seldra, and Kuuneru.
They were using suitable rooms within the ship and resting their bodies on soft beds.
Therefore, no conversation could arise on deck, and it had been silent for many hours.
The enemy also seemed to have difficulty tracking the continuously moving Living Legend, and there had been no significant attacks for over an hour.
“…”
Frankly, I was very bored.
As an observer, having nothing to watch was quite problematic.
I could only stand at the edge of the ship’s deck, lean on the wooden railing, and watch the scenery.
As time passed from day to night, the appearance of the Blood Land had changed slightly.
However, since most of it remained red, it was only a very small change.
Above the faintly spreading red mist, something faintly luminous could be seen.
The moon and stars must have been desperately twinkling, trying to send their light down to the ground.
Beneath it lay the dimly lit, red sea.
The sea was surprisingly transparent. Leaning over the railing, I could catch a glimpse of the town, submerged by the risen water level, with the faint light.
Looking down at the town from directly above gave me a very strange sensation.
It felt as if I were flying through the sky.
It made me feel like a god ruling over everything below, which was a bit pleasant.
However, staring at the same scenery repeatedly would quickly become boring.
With no other choice, I next observed the Living Legend, which I believed to be the best in the world.
The most eye-catching and unusual element was the Black Threads.
They stretched everywhere, on the sides of the ship and the deck floor, and though there were only four of them, they were spread like a spider’s web. Their length seemed limitless, and they were thickly and meticulously wrapped around the hull near the bottom.
This was likely Glen’s area detection method. Touching these threads, which were said to be substitutes for Magic Stone Lines, could potentially allow one’s very soul to be read.
It was a rare sight.
However, after understanding all the mechanisms, the novelty inevitably faded.
Having observed too much, and losing the freshness of the ship’s interior, I was at a loss.
I spent who knows how many minutes staring blankly at the sea of blood.
It was continuously quiet, with nothing happening.
Yet, not feeling sleepy was a bit painful… but as if to alleviate my suffering, a voice descended.
“– Aren’t you going to rest?”
Glen was descending from above, holding up his left arm and letting down a Black Thread.
He was like a spider. Honestly, I would have found it more believable if he were described as a mixed-breed monster of the spider type rather than the bee type.
While somewhat healed by the sight of Glen’s amusing demeanor, I replied.
“Don’t you need any rest either? You look a little pale.”
“Yeah, I’m tired, I admit. But it’s my job to take Kanami and the others to Fafnir. I’ll keep going until that’s done.”
“I think I’m probably the same. As a staff member of the ‘Seventh Institute for the Study of Demonic Illusions,’ my duty is to guide our guests to Fafnir. That’s how I’ve arbitrarily interpreted it.”
“I see… You’re very dedicated to your work. That’s truly amazing.”
Glen stood beside me and nodded slowly.
In front of Seldra and the others, he had maintained an air of tension and fighting spirit, often resorting to sarcasm. But with me, his expression was gentle.
“Being dedicated to my work is… a small point of pride for me.”
“But your work will also conclude with a break soon. …Less than an hour from now, perhaps? That’s when your job will be over. It’s the end of everything, including Kanami’s journey.”
“Less than an hour? Isn’t that rather soon?”
“The voyage is going smoother than I expected. We’ll probably arrive at Fafnir’s location right after dawn. That said, it’s only the ship landing directly above the building he’s holed up in; getting from there will be the difficult part.”
“Bringing us this far should be sufficient. Your ‘First Assault Team’ seems to be comprised of monsters.”
“They do seem that way. …I was truly surprised. Even after honing my skills further since the ‘Strongest’ era and gaining the confidence that I couldn’t be defeated by anyone, that confidence vanished in an instant the moment I met them.”
We chatted casually.
On this ‘Blood Land,’ where one could die at any moment, we were as calm as if we were in our own homes.
Most of all, even though it was our first meeting, I felt a sense of ‘peace’ with Glen.
There was a faint, nostalgic scent. Back when I worked at the Institute––no, I felt I had smelled it a little sooner. A unique scent mixed with death, blood, and despair.
“Are you really alright? You haven’t eaten or drunk anything at all.”
As I was pondering this, he asked again, showing concern.
He’s truly observant.
He’s known for always watching everyone’s complexion, but I don’t think that’s necessarily a bad thing.
If he were a junior staff member, I would say he has a promising future and give him a perfect score.
Glen’s gaze drifted to the table in the center of the deck.
The glasses and plates he had brought out were arranged there, and among them was filtered, clean water. Although it was no longer precious since the “food storage” known as Kanami had arrived, the water he must have desperately gathered on the ‘Blood Land’ was still something I hesitated to touch.
“No, I don’t think I need it. Since I became this body, I haven’t felt hunger, thirst, or sleepiness. Besides, this mouth probably doesn’t connect to a stomach.”
Hesitantly, I explained the mechanism of my ‘Blood Doll’ body.
Jokingly, I opened my mouth wide, and Glen peered earnestly into the back of my throat.
When he realized my words were true, he took a step back and lowered his eyes.
“I see… That is a sad thing. Eating is one of life’s pleasures. It’s as if one of the meanings of life has been taken away.”
“That’s a bit of an exaggeration. I’m fine. I never particularly enjoyed eating before anyway.”
As I replied, Glen’s face grew even sadder.
Then, perhaps out of consideration for me, he gave a wry smile and said in a small voice, “Actually, I don’t like it much either. What I just said was just repeating something I heard from a senior.”
We shared a laugh, and the ship suddenly swayed.
We continued our aimless talk, bathed in the metallic scent of the ‘Blood Land’ wind.
At one point, I thought it was a very strange coincidence.
Being able to chat with Glen in this place was something that shouldn’t have happened.
We two were brought together by an incredibly strange fate, and now we faced each other here.
“—By the way, you can actually understand what I’m saying.”
“Yeah… I can’t hide it anymore, so I’ll confess. I understand your words well. Including the fact that you were a staff member at the Institute a thousand years ago, I’ve heard all about it.”
“Heard?”
From whom?
Before I could ask, Glen cut to the chase.
“Ah, I heard it all. And I learned the details. —That’s precisely why I wonder. How can you stay with that man? With Seldra Quinefilion, the ‘Thief of Nothingness’?”
Because everyone else was asleep, Glen didn’t mince his words.
Even though he appeared to be a harmless young man on the surface, he seemed to be the type who would gossip when the opportunity arose.
Perhaps it was a result of being molded by aristocratic society, or perhaps it was his inherent nature.
“You probably already know, don’t you? That man is the primary reason you weren’t allowed to escape hell. All the research funding for the ‘Thief of the Principles of the Soul’ came directly from his coffers…”
“Huh? Eh…?”
“You should recall. Remember the men who plunged Fanian back into hell after she was once saved by Kanami. A thousand years ago, you met them.”
Faced with his accusation, I replayed my memories.
It should have been Romis Neisha, Fanian’s influential aristocrat, who plunged her back into hell.
That was publicly known at the time, and it was even written in the history books.
Glen, however, stated it clearly.
To the men, in the plural.
“Ah—”
Click. The lingering sense of unease, which had been bothering me, disappeared as if a piece had finally fallen into place.
That’s right.
“Now, I finally remembered…” isn’t quite accurate.
My memories weren’t fading. Thanks to Kanami, my entire life is vivid now, and I can recall everything without difficulty. It was just that the “male researcher with black hair” and “Seldra, the dragon person with blue hair” that I knew didn’t quite align in my mind.
If I hadn’t connected with Kanami and learned that Seldra disguised himself to blend in when traveling to the “Original World,” I might never have realized it.
However, thinking back, it’s the same.
The way he used “Vibration” was the same.
More importantly, his voice and laugh were the same.
—It’s a memory from Fanian’s life, but I can recall it clearly, as if replaying it.
The year 0 of the new calendar, a thousand years ago.
The “Foreigner” Kanami visited with Saint Tiara, defeated the wicked lord Romis, and rescued Arti, the “Thief of Principles of Fire,” and Teeda, the “Thief of Principles of Darkness.”
However, that peace did not last long.
Just three years later.
In year 3 of the new calendar, after the “First Lord Succession Incident,” Romis Neisha, whom Kanami had overlooked, returned to Fanian.
Naturally.
Romis had fallen because Kanami, the new messiah, and Saint Tiara were a threat.
It was only natural that he would return once the influence of those two waned.
And what’s important here is that the Romis from that time wasn’t a fool who would simply return after being defeated.
Furthermore, the then-lord, Herumina, was busy with Fuziaze’s “Banner of Light” plan, and failed to notice the men’s infiltration into the Fanian territory.
These two factors combined—
In the basement of the “Seventh Demon Obstacle Research Institute” in year 3 of the new calendar.
The two of them were in a corner of the building, which had gradually become less bloodthirsty due to their interactions with Fuziaze.
That room was a special place that only I, who had been a cleaner since birth, could reach.
It was a stone hidden room without even the minimum lighting, making it perfect for secret talk.
At that time, though only slightly, the door was open.
I was able to confirm the situation inside through the gap.
As per my cleaning habits, I intended to wait quietly outside, but I happened to overhear them.
“—Romis, don’t hold back. I admire you. More than anyone, you are close to me.”
I overheard that strangely passionate and suspicious invitation.
In the darkness, a giant man with black hair cascading down, dressed in the research institute’s attire, was talking to the former lord who shouldn’t have been there. At this time, Romis Neisha didn’t have a shaved head but had short brown hair and wore simple clothes. However, I wasn’t such a thoughtless resident as to mistake him.
“Yes, I understand that. I will never forget the favor of you guiding me into Fanian.”
“I intend to back you up to the fullest. From now on, the ‘Northern Alliance’ will be behind the revolution you are about to start. You don’t need to worry about finances at all, and if you fail, I will definitely protect you. …Personally, I’ve been wanting a companion like you.”
Why did I eavesdrop on that…?
I don’t think it was fate.
Even the eyes of God cannot reach this hell separated from the ground.
Looking back now, with the clarity of the afterlife, I think I was searching.
For a man like Seldra to appear in Fanian—
“However, precisely because it’s such a lucrative offer, I cannot help but be wary. Why are you, the commander-in-chief of the North, here alone…? And why are you siding with me?”
“It’s simple. The North is currently moving in a direction of carefully nurturing the country, as decided by Chancellor Aid. During that time, I, who can only fight, am very bored. Is it so strange that I use my individual strength to carry out sabotage and recruitment in enemy countries?”
Romis did not readily accept the other party’s goodwill and remained suspicious.
Because he was someone who used others as easily as breathing, he was convinced that this heaven-sent luck held a trap.
He seemed unable to act rashly until he understood everything behind it.
“Yes, it is very strange. If I were Chancellor Aid, there would be many things I would ask you to do for the country.”
“…Oh, really? No, if you say so, then it must be. I just don’t understand it. Aid should also state it clearly if that’s the case. Ah, haha, kuahaha!”
Seldra asked back, as if surprised.
Then, after a rapid-fire series of self-questions, he laughed, agreeing with Romis.
Seeing that, Romis took a sharp breath.
Though he appeared nonchalant, Seldra also possessed the characteristic instability of a “Thief of Principles.”
Like the “Thieves of Principles” of Fire, Darkness, and Dimension he had faced before, this man harbored a madness incomprehensible to ordinary people. Sensing this, Romis heightened his guard and took a step back.
Seeing his negotiation partner adopt a defensive stance, Seldra hastily added.
“No, wait. Romis, don’t you understand? If it’s you and me, we will definitely succeed. Seeing this wonderful research institute, I am convinced of it. …This place is very kind to the sick. More so than the depths of the World Tree, which was neither poison nor medicine, this place is effective for my illness. You truly have good ‘taste.’ I can even feel a kind of beauty here—”
I will assert that I am not an enemy but someone you can empathize with.
Then, Seldra praised the “Institute for Demonic Disasters” that Romis built during his time as lord with an enraptured expression. He seemed to think it was wonderful, kind, and beautiful from the bottom of his heart — which is precisely why Romis found Seldra a terrifying negotiation partner.
Romis built the “Institute for Demonic Disasters” purely for practical gain.
It was necessary for exploiting the people of his domain, not because he felt emotions like “wonderful,” “kind,” or “beautiful.”
Naturally, there was not a shred of “hobby” involved.
Misinterpreting the misplaced praise as a way to close the distance with Romis, Seldra continued his recruitment, reaching out his hand.
“I will be honest with you, with all sincerity… I truly just do it because I like it. It’s a ‘hobby’ that’s difficult to pursue in the North, and I can enjoy it freely here in enemy territory. Honestly, that’s all there is to it. Shouldn’t you understand, you who prioritizes your own desires above all else?”
The reason was simply because he liked it.
It sounded like there was no lie.
Romis seemed to have come to the same conclusion.
Precisely because it didn’t seem like a lie, he frowned even more deeply — but it seemed he couldn’t let the negotiation stagnate forever solely because Seldra was unsettling.
After thoroughly deliberating the other party’s words, they found a compromise, and Romis reluctantly nodded.
He relaxed his shoulders and shook the outstretched hand.
“…Understood. I will use the ‘Northern Alliance.’ You can use me as well, Lord Seldra. …But no matter what happens, I will never be your companion. I have an attachment to the Southern lands, you know.”
“Hm? …Don’t you think we get along?”
“No, not at all. Please give up. I am Teeda Runs, and I’ve had enough of cooperating with a ‘Thief of Principles’.”
“Teeda Runs? Come to think of it, that troublesome Black Knight and you were ‘childhood friends,’ weren’t you…? Is that the reason? Damn it, bad timing.”
Seldra grumbled, deciding that it was the timing and his judgment, not himself, that were at fault.
It seemed he knew about the “First Lord Succession Incident” that occurred in Year 0 of the New Calendar, as he had infiltrated the South. He also seemed to have learned the name “Thief of Principles,” which Kanami coined, there.
However, what caught my attention was something else.
When I heard the word “childhood friend,” Romis’s expression changed, and he muttered softly, “Teeda, a knight…?”
But as if to cover it up, another name was immediately brought up.
“Speaking of which, that Fafnir Helvishein you brought with you, I heard he might also become a ‘Thief of Principles’?”
“Rather than brought, I merely encouraged him to ‘return home.’ Well, I’ll just say there’s a possibility. The foundation is there, and theoretically, he should be able to reach it.”
“…I heard he deeply respects you. He still believes you are an ally.”
“He will. That’s how I raised him.”
Fafnir Helvishein.
When I heard that name, my heart leaped.
The boy who was subjected to an unreasonable “Demonization” experiment during that “First Lord Succession Incident,” survived, escaped — and returned three years later.
The boy who continuously speaks to me, trying to communicate.
I was clearly flustered.
As a result, my duty as a cleaner became neglected, and I lost my footing slightly.
I made a noise and got in the way of the staff talking —
“Hmm? This one is…”
Seldra’s eyes met mine.
Seldra immediately moved, opened the door, and exposed me peeking into the room.
Just as he was about to silence me, Romis spoke before him.
“Th, this girl is… Lord Seldra, there’s no need to worry. Most of the disposable lower-ranking staff have lost their minds. Especially this girl, she can’t even understand people’s words and is only assigned to cleaning. She was probably just waiting outside the room for our departure.”
Fortunately, Romis and I knew each other.
During his time as lord, he had often visited the various “Institutes for Demonic Disasters” in Fanian and had interacted with her a few times then.
“A cleaner…? Heh. Even this room, which is so hard to clean, she’s diligent.”
“Even if she mistakenly reported this, no one would believe her. It would undoubtedly be dismissed as ramblings.”
Thanks to Romis knowing me well, my life seemed to have been spared.
Perhaps it was because I worked in a place like this, but I was sensitive to the smell of death.
If Romis had hesitated even a moment longer, Seldra, who still suspected me, would have crushed my head. And I knew that even if I made a sound now, the same ending awaited me. I could only silently watch the unfolding events.
“Just to be sure, let’s take precautions. From now on, when I speak, I will erase the sounds in the room with a ‘Curse Technique’.”
As Seldra spoke, he placed his hand on the wall of the room. The Demonic Poison within his hand spread like ripples.
“That is… I can no longer use it myself, so it’s something I envy immensely. That’s one of the Miracles you stole from the World Tree. Was its attribute ‘Nothingness’?”
“No, this isn’t the ‘power of nothingness.’ It’s a technique I pilfered— no, I learned from Fuziaze. Just wait and see, Romis. There are still many fun things left in this world. —Curse Technique: Vibration.”
As the so-called Vibration activated, the walls and door of the room trembled.
They looked the same, yet it gave the illusion that they had become thicker. That sensation was likely not a mistake; their thickness probably allowed them to completely block any external interference.
After that, I was kicked out of the room and was no longer able to enter.
I no longer felt the urge to eavesdrop. I also didn’t feel like reporting anything to anyone. Frankly, I couldn’t do either.
Occasionally, I would pass by Romis or Seldra disguised, but I wouldn’t speak to them. I would simply offer a polite nod as if nothing was out of the ordinary and continue my cleaning. For me, an observer, that was enough to witness interesting events.
It was only because I could trust Seldra up to that point that my memories extend this far. Later, Romis’s revolution succeeded spectacularly, achieving a second change in ruler. Hermina and Fafnir were then imprisoned in the “Sacred Treasure Chamber” on the lowest floor.
…And then, a thousand years later, on the Blood Land.
Recalling my encounter with Seldra, I nodded deeply at Glen’s words.
“It was… I did indeed meet Seldra in the past…”
However, even so, one strange thing remained. In my current memories, there was no one named Glen Walker. So why did Glen know more about my life than I did?
“Ah, that’s a relief. I was a little worried because you suddenly stopped moving,” Glen said, approaching me and extending his hand towards my cheek. The moment his hand touched me, a chilling cold air spread. Even through the body of this Blood Doll, I could feel how cold Glen’s hand was.
“If you remember, you should understand… Romis Neisha is one thing. He was a person driven by ambition and desire, only seeking power. He might have stepped on others, but he never wasted his efforts. He was simply a ruler in the truest sense.”
I tried to reach out and grasp his hand. But Glen immediately took a step back, forming a fist with his outstretched hand, and passionately pressed his point.
“But Seldra is different. That man was just playing around. He went around making people unhappy, laughing happily. And he never dirtied his own hands, watching from a safe distance…! It’s the worst kind of ‘hobby’!”
Indeed, it was highly likely that Seldra helped Romis Neisha purely out of curiosity. Considering the expression on his face when he used “Nuclear Main Chain Rupture” earlier, I couldn’t deny it.
“He is responsible for a fraction of this sea of blood. That’s why I will definitely make Seldra take responsibility. I don’t care about the Lingering Desires or Curses of a Thief of Principles. Simply put, the more people you kill, the more you should be cursed… Ah, that’s right. That’s right. He should atone for his sins on the Blood Land. Even if it means with his death—”
For some reason, Glen stopped looking at me mid-sentence. He placed a hand on his chest, earnestly lecturing himself. Probably not to Seldra, but to himself.
Gradually, I began to understand Glen. So this time, I decided to reach out to him. I wanted to confirm the temperature of his heart and body once more. I found something more interesting than the scenery outside the ship and stepped away from the railing. Just as I was about to touch Glen, who was still muttering to himself…
He was standing there.
Beyond Glen’s body, I saw a dark shadow standing. Again. Oh, before I knew it, it was here again. Standing like a ghost, with terrifying eyes of pure black, Kanami, the Thief of the Principles of Dimensions, was peering at me.
“—Glen-san. You’re telling scary stories.”
I wanted to retort that *you’re* the scary one, but I held back, fully embracing my role as an observer. Kanami’s gaze was fixed on me, but he addressed another name. Surprised by the unexpected call, Glen turned around.
“K-Kanami-kun? I thought you were sleeping inside…”
“It’s almost morning. I just woke up a little early.”
Kanami replied, looking up at the sky as if dazzled. However, enveloped in red mist, it was impossible to tell if the sun was rising. Yet, he narrowed his eyes as if he could see a light sparkling beyond it. With an expression that suggested he was welcoming a clear morning, he joined our conversation.
* “Isekai Meikyuu no Saishinbu wo Mezaseyou 12” will be released on 7/25. Thank you for your support.
* I will post an activity report on 6/10. This is an announcement.
6/10 21:30 Update (The activity report will be a little later… I apologize.)
