In the “Imperial Body Storage Room” recreated underground, I face Kanami, the “Thief of the Principles of Dimensions.”
I will challenge him to a battle now.
My objective is singular.
Like my master, Ragune, who was defeated, I will force Distance Mute upon Kanami.
“The important thing is to initiate it myself, not to have it done to me by Kanami.”
I have no intention of removing the magic stone.
Or rather, against an expert in dimensional magic, creating a “Connection” would only allow him to trace and extract it. Even when facing a corpse, Ragune almost had various things taken from him by Kanami. In the current situation, if I were to make contact with Kanami through Distance Mute, I would surely be defeated.
However, for a moment.
If I can gain control of Distance Mute, even for a fleeting instant by catching him off guard, I should be able to confirm something.
Instead of defeat, I might be able to ascertain Kanami’s true intentions.
Kanami’s objective is quite clear.
He sways his body and gazes at the bloodstains clinging to the room as he speaks.
“I’ve wanted to say this for a long time. That I came to save you, everyone here…”
He has indeed come to save them.
If his goal were battle or capture, he would have brought Maria, Dia, and the others, who he easily defeated me.
Kanami continues to speak without resistance, no matter what happens.
His past achievements and his gentle expression convey this.
I am careful not to stare too long into his black eyes as I converse with Kanami.
“Came to save…? Kuhaha, as expected of Kanami. You know exactly what I desire. But are you already looking that far ahead? I told you at the beginning that I would disappear after resolving my ‘Lingering Desire,’ so why go to such lengths?”
“Of course, I believe ‘Lingering Desire’ is important. –But I no longer think it’s everything. Lately, I’ve been thinking a little. The ends of the ‘Thieves of Principles’ have all been too ephemeral. They all left with a sliver of salvation at the end, were very satisfied, and disappeared. But in reality… haven’t they deserved so much more reward… I’m starting to think that, just a little.”
It was a strange feeling.
Our positions have truly shifted in many ways between me and Kanami.
Yet, the fact that we can still talk like ‘friends’ is perhaps because I am good at adapting.
Or perhaps it’s because Kanami is accommodating me.
I am a little suspicious.
Perhaps this situation is not going according to our plan, but according to Kanami’s plan.
As if to dispel such unease, I lower my gaze to the “Scripture” and chant.
“So, you intend to save souls as well as resolve ‘Lingering Desire’? Hah, that’s a luxury. –Chapter 14, Verse 1: ‘No one has a pure end. However, no one has an impure end either.’ We ‘Thieves of Principles’ are all madmen who participated in massacres. Are we truly worth saving?”
“I don’t know if there is value… But I want to save as much as I can within the reach of my sight and hands.”
Kanami smiles faintly as he speaks, but each word carries a leaden weight.
Our eyes are meeting, and our conversation is in sync, but I feel like something vital is out of alignment.
“With that mindset, can you truly fulfill my ‘Lingering Desire’? As you know, my ‘Lingering Desire’ is ‘to see Aikawa Uzunami’s growth to the very end.’ …Let me tell you, I’m a veteran, and a former theologian who has become incredibly twisted. My ‘Ideal’ as the ‘Great Savior’ is high, you know? At the very least, if you can’t stop this ‘Blood Land,’ I can’t entrust it to you.”
“Don’t worry, I will definitely stop it. Right now, with us are Fanian’s ‘Lord Flame God,’ the ‘Dark God,’ and the ‘Light God.’ You even have the power of the gods you wish to see.”
Kanami understood perfectly.
He seemed confident that he would stop the “Blood Land” with the power I wanted to see.
Stopping this “Blood Land” is no easy feat.
First, of course, the power of the “Thief of the Law of Blood” is necessary. However, it’s not a method that would stop with just that power; it’s not a “Spell Formation” to be taken lightly. The “power of blood” is merely auxiliary, and the crucial element is me, the developer and caster.
Furthermore, merely defeating me would only cause the “Blood Land” to go berserk.
Just like the former “Shaka Hōkan Jin,” I have included such safeguards.
In other words, it’s necessary to not only steal the magic stone but also the “Scripture” unharmed, persuade me, who tends to betray my master, and have me carefully dismantle it.
However, for Kanami, who has experienced the battle with Yotaki, this might not be that difficult.
Including a thousand years ago, this man is a seasoned veteran.
To prevent my body from tensing up, I follow the words of the “Scripture” with my eyes, somehow determining the conditions for this battle.
“If Kanami cannot stop me, then I will take all the magic stones. I will go to the ‘Deepest Part’ myself. The ‘Blood Land’ that could not be stopped will drench the world in blood, submerge it, and everything will become mine. I will become the ‘World’s Master’…’s regent.”
In the truly ‘worst’ case scenario, that is what would happen.
While I don’t believe I can win, I have established my victory conditions as a pretext.
Kanami accepts it lightly and nods.
“I don’t mind. …If that is truly the ‘Dream’ you have left.”
“It is our ‘Dream.’ …Forgive me, but my master is still Ragune Kaikuola. Therefore, I will pursue the continuation of my master’s ‘Dream.’ Even if I end up alone.”
As a knight, I will fulfill my master’s ‘Dream.’
This is also a form of pretext.
It’s an excuse to set up the situation cleverly, but it’s true that Ragune is my master for now. Even though the Kanami I admire is here—no, precisely because she is here, her receding figure has always been stuck somewhere in my heart.
Her ‘Dream’ was very similar to mine.
Like me, a mere human who gained the power of a ‘Thief of Principles’ and went far ahead. The reason I feel uneasy about Kanami now is largely due to her influence.
“Honestly, I can’t accept being completely covered by the ‘Blood Land.’ I think there will be more objectors than during Yotaki’s ‘Winter Otherworld.'”
“I suppose so. …Well, if you think so, then stop me with all your might. If you can make me acknowledge you, Knight, as the ‘Great Savior,’ then it will all be over. You just need to show me if that power is truly comparable to that of a god. I always bow my head only to gods—”
I retort aggressively, my fighting spirit surging.
In response, blood seeps from the ground at my feet.
The blood, which welled up from the tiny cracks in the floor, moves like thin leeches.
It crawls up my transparent, ghost-infused legs and clings to my torso. From my torso, it moves to my arms, and through my transparent hands, it envelops the “Scripture.”
It is blood compressed over and over again, tethering the “Scripture” to my body so it cannot be separated. It’s a luxurious use made possible by the “Imperial Body Storage Room,” where there is no lack of blood. To cut this compressed blood with a blade would require the strength to cleave an entire ocean.
It is an invincible armor by normal standards, but it’s only a slight comfort.
Before me, Kanami, who seems to have just arrived by parting the sea, watches me, his black coat fluttering.
I will witness his power up close.
And confirm—as if sensing my resolve, Kanami declares.
“—Now you will find the god you have been searching for. And the boy from that day will find ‘peace.’ You will finally be ‘happy.’ All souls will be saved—”
There was not only the casualness of a ‘friend’ but also the solemnity of a ‘Savior.’
These poetic words, as if written in some “Scripture,” were the very voice I had longed for.
I feel a chill and then relief.
If I follow Kanami’s words, everything will go well, and I feel like I can relax.
If I reach out to Kanami, I feel like I can gain the greatest peace I’ve ever known, and my life will finally be rewarded.
I almost offer the “Scripture” myself.
I almost acknowledge Kanami as my ‘Master.’
Because Kanami is the protagonist of the story, everything will surely turn out well in the end.
If I entrust it to him, a happy ending is promised, and I am nearly overwhelmed by this sense of relief—
“Ah, suspicious…”
I remembered Ragune Kaikuola’s voice.
“Alright, Kanami!! You mentioned everyone’s souls just now! Then, first, try this ‘Ordeal’! –Blood Magic: ‘Lower Levels of the Old Calendar Year Magic Impediment Research Institute’!”
This is just a preliminary test.
From this blood-soaked room, I will make the “Blood Dolls” emerge.
Their numbers easily fill the cramped “Imperial Body Storage Room.”
Giving form to the former staff and the “Demons” who became sacrifices of research, I intend to make them spew out their grudges.
“–Magic: ‘Default.'”
In response to my preliminary test, Kanami also offers a preliminary test.
This basic magic isn’t even offensive magic.
It’s a spell that merely shifts distance.
However, when Kanami uses it, the meaning of that magic changes significantly.
The “Blood Dolls” attacking from all directions swing their altered blade-arms at Kanami.
But just as their sharp tips are about to slice through Kanami, they miss.
Even the tips of Kanami’s hair and his skin are just out of reach.
The “Blood Dolls” immediately step forward again, trying to cut him in half this time. But they still don’t reach.
No matter how close the “Blood Dolls” get, they stop at a certain distance, as if they have always been stopped there.
The dimensional shift creates a strange spectacle.
The “Blood Dolls” continue to walk towards Kanami, their blades desperately extended, but they cannot advance as if blocked by an invisible barrier.
Perhaps, due to “Default,” an almost infinite distance has been created between Kanami and the “Blood Dolls.”
And the terrifying aspect of this magic is its perfect control of that dimensional shift.
While the “Blood Dolls'” hands will never reach, Kanami’s extended hands—
Kanami’s hands alone stroke the area that seems to be the head of one “Blood Doll.”
The moment their cheeks are brushed, its movement stops abruptly.
When I felt the surge of dense magic power and realized that “Past Sight” was being performed through Distance Mute, the form of that “Blood Doll” had already collapsed. The soul that was there had departed, returning to mere blood. Then, Kanami immediately reached for the next target, collapsing its form again. With ease, it seemed effortless to an observer—yet, in reality, a heavy salvation was being carried out dispassionately.
“Kanami…”
My phantom heart, which shouldn’t exist, burns with phantom pain.
It felt like looking at a painting depicting gods.
Undoubtedly, Kanami is deliberately putting on a fight that evokes such feelings.
The same fighting style as my deceased sister is suitable for showing me the ‘power of god.’
However, it can also be said that he is holding back.
After all, Kanami hasn’t even used his specialty, “Dimension,” yet. He might intend to avoid using the magic I don’t want him to use until the very end.
Having understood the enemy’s strategy through this preliminary test, Kanami continues to talk to me while fighting.
“There are many people from that day here… The ones who were experimented on ‘Demonization’ because I came. The pretense was an experiment, but Romis’s order was disposal. Everyone was eventually sliced apart. Bit by bit from the fingertips upwards, the fingers, heels, calves, thighs, in order… There was no anesthesia, not even the minimum morality, so it hurt… It hurt so much…”
As he fights and reminisces, his words seem to mix with the observations of others. With the words and expression that only those who fell into the underground of the “Magic Impediment Research Institute” could possess, Kanami takes a step forward.
From beneath Kanami’s feet, a “Blood Beast,” hidden by the shadows of the “Blood Dolls,” emerges from under the floor, passing through “Default,” growing like a tree.
A monster with a grotesque shape is about to attack with a roar that seems to shatter eardrums.
“――――――――――ッ!!”
“It’s a ‘Blood Beast,’ born from combining those body parts… I understand a little, having been subjected to it by Yotaki. Having one’s soul tampered with is truly painful.”
However, as if waiting, Kanami’s hand touches the emerging head.
The result is no different from the “Blood Dolls.” No matter how complexly souls are intertwined through depraved experiments, Kanami can individually perform “Past Sight” and return them to blood.
However, my main target is not the “Blood Beast” hidden in the shadow of the “Blood Dolls,” but the “different blood” hidden even deeper in that shadow.
“…Huh?”
Kanami lets out a surprised cry and falls to his knees.
Then, he looks at what is clinging to his legs.
From the bright red floor, several white hands emerge and pull at the hem of Kanami’s clothes.
—This is what I call a “Blood Anomaly.”
It is a curse technique that only I, a “Demon” mixed with a ghost, can use.
This is likely the first time it has been used in combat in history.
Normally, no one would be able to counter such an extremely specialized power and would have no choice but to die—but Kanami’s understanding and countermeasures are very quick.
“How did you get to my legs…? No, you haven’t touched me. But you reached me. Like the Reaper, is this a special magic derived from regional oral literature as a ‘Price’—?”
As Kanami just mentioned, this “Blood Anomaly” is very similar to the magic “Grim Rim Reaper” that possessed Rowen, the “Thief of Earthly Principles.”
Of course, compared to the magical life form created by “Primordial Kanami” over time, the completion level of these white hands is lower. However, like the Grim Reaper, it is undoubtedly a type of ‘curse’ that operates under special rules.
The Grim Reaper in that fairy tale operated under rules that even surpassed magic, such as “it possesses those who look back” and “it has no substance while being watched.” The anomaly I recreated has the rule “it pulls the legs of those who step on blood.”
These special rules ignore both magical and physical interference.
“From this side, I can’t even touch you with ‘Distance Mute.’ This is also a type that interferes with principles when conditions are met—”
Therefore, even Kanami is delayed in his response.
Despite becoming an invincible “Thief of Principles,” there is one attack that still bothers Kanami.
‘Curses.’
Knowing that even Kanami could not escape the world’s rule of ‘curses,’ I prepared for it.
” –Blood Magic: ‘Old Human History’ –”
I retreat to the pool of blood in the center of the room and draw up special blood from there.
By coating my hand holding the “Scripture,” it temporarily transforms from the “Scripture of the Hakuhi Religion” into another book. And with the numerous ‘Blood Anomalies’ recorded in that book, I summon them into this “Imperial Body Storage Room.”
For example, there is the legendary anomaly called “The Black Hanging Man” that was rampant on the continent a thousand years ago. Following the rumor that it “inverts those lost in the dark,” it attacks Kanami, who has strayed into the “Imperial Body Storage Room.” It crosses the barrier of “Default” with its unique rules, and before he knew it, black mud adhered to Kanami’s cheek.
There are others, such as demons from regional fairy tales and ghost stories passed down among adventurers.
They don’t have any proper “Spell Formation”; they are not based on scientific principles.
Rumors that are impossible to reproduce scientifically are allowed to exist in the world simply because “people believe them to be true.” My “Demon” ability amplifies this, making them manifest in this room exclusively.
Compared to the ‘curses’ of the “Thieves of Principles,” they are not as severe.
However, for Kanami, this is the first time he’s encountered them, and they are likely a type of attack he dislikes.
Kanami loses his sense of balance, places his hands on the ground as well as his feet, and his mud-covered head nearly slams onto the ground.
Unrelentingly, all sorts of “Blood Anomalies” attack the fallen Kanami.
These include the ‘Anomaly that steals the color of those stained with blood,’ the ‘Anomaly that makes the speech of those whose names are known incomprehensible,’ the ‘Anomaly that prevents escape from a sealed room,’ the ‘Anomaly that dulls thoughts until exposed to the sun,’ the ‘Anomaly where magic becomes chaotic when separated from the surface,’ and so on—
From somewhere, at some point, anomalies that appeared on Kanami’s kneeling body shroud his eyes with blue mist, coil around his tongue like rusty chains, sew his clothes together with transparent stakes, hang over his head like thin curtains, and swarm his skin like glittering gnats.
This “Blood Anomaly” is a power that can be described as the rarest in the world.
It is an ability that arose because I, a “Demon” mixed with a ghost, happened to be a scholar who also loved folklore.
Humanity believes in not only good things.
People also fear and believe in these bad things.
” –Curse Technique: ‘Old Calendar Hundred Years Hundred Monster Tales’ –”
This is my unique curse technique.
To enhance its effect, I utter the name I had prepared beforehand.
Instantly, the colors of the “Blood Anomalies” clinging to Kanami intensify.
The anomalies, which originally existed only in the human mind, began to come alive as their names were clearly called.
Beset by these anomalies, Kanami finally becomes entangled.
The “Default” he maintained for defense is also finally deactivated.
However, it won’t last long.
Most of these “Blood Anomalies” are a type of “Status Ailment.”
Simply put, these are visible “Status Ailments,” and the skill “Covenant Holder of the Deepest Part” is effective.
However, I have caught him off guard.
Even if he notices and the skill “Covenant Holder of the Deepest Part” is activated, there will be a momentary opening.
It is then that I will strike with “Distance Mute.”
I have finished preparing the magic over two months.
This, at least, I have made usable anywhere, anytime with the “Blood Land.”
—For this defeat.
Purple magic power gathers in my right arm, and its dimension begins to shift.
When this hand reaches him, I will be defeated.
Creating a “Connection” against Kanami is equivalent to conceding.
But, even so, I want to know.
I must know.
It has always been ‘Helvishein’s’ role to learn in place of the deceased ‘Demons.’ Therefore—
I dash out from the pool of blood and approach the stationary Kanami.
“Distance Mute” is deployed on my ghost-like transparent arm.
If I touch him, I can penetrate all domains and contact the essence of the object.
From now on, I just need to confidently shout the magic name to the world—
” –Dimensional Magic: ‘Distance, Mute—’!!”
I stop my hand.
Kanami’s hand, which should have been restrained by “Blood Anomalies,” was moving.
Kanami is currently in a “Status Ailment” where he can barely see, hear, speak, or use magic power.
However, he was undeniably reaching out towards me.
If Kanami had some countermeasure against my “Distance Mute” in that hand, I would not have stopped.
No matter what defensive magic it was, I was prepared to force my way through for even a momentary initiative.
But that hand was too defenseless.
It was as if he were casually, openly, offering a handshake to welcome my “Distance Mute.”
“—!?”
I stop, deactivate my magic construction, and step back.
Kanami seems to have sensed my movement.
Realizing his hand wouldn’t reach me, he smiles slightly regretfully, then changes its direction.
—He puts his hand into his mouth and grabs the ‘Blood Anomaly’ shaped like a chain.
The rule that “it cannot be touched because it is a non-existent anomaly” lasted only a few seconds.
Kanami activates a high-dimensional magic, different from “Distance Mute,” for a moment in his grabbed hand—and very easily dislodges the “Blood Anomaly,” which should have been impossible to interfere with, by shifting its dimension and pulling it out.
Instantly, the “Blood Anomaly” shaped like a chain turns into light particles and disappears into the air.
Afterward, for some reason, Kanami is holding a piece of paper he’s never seen before.
It was similar to how a monster in a labyrinth disappears, returns to the underground, and leaves behind a magic stone.
Though the paper was densely covered with writing, before I could read it from a distance, Kanami speaks to me.
“—I understand you want to confirm. Seldra asked me the same thing two months ago with a similar attack.”
“…Sel-, Seldra-san asked two months ago?”
My objective was seen through.
Kanami moves his now-free tongue and explains the reason.
“Fafnir is truly becoming similar to Seldra. …So, I will give you the same response I gave Seldra.”
I had prepared myself for this.
Even by guarding against “Threads,” preparing unknown powers to counter “Future Sight,” and living in a place where complex magic like “Blood Land” swirls—in the end, it is always Kanami’s side that proceeds as planned.
However, actually experiencing it makes me feel it is truly unreasonable.
” —Ah, ‘Attentive Appraisal.’ ”
Using an old curse technique, though not my forte, I examine Kanami.
[Status]
Condition: Immortality 1.00, Narrowing 1.00, Confusion 1.00, Drunkenness 5.48, Darkness 2.12, Paralysis 1.07
Fear 1.09, Elation 1.02, Sleep 1.00, Hallucination 1.01, Charm 1.34, Rampage 1.01
Memory Disruption 1.11, Perception Disruption 1.01, Magic Power Disruption 1.78, Movement Disruption 1.34, Mental Contamination 2.00—
It’s effective.
Everything except ‘Silence’ is working.
I haven’t used the skill “Covenant Holder of the Deepest Part” yet.
Even so, Kanami speaks as if nothing is wrong.
He laughs with the same attitude as when he lived a normal life in the Allied Nations.
“—It’s fun. Right now, I’m having a lot of fun.”
He preemptively gives me the ‘Answer’ I wanted to know.
And just as he said, Kanami joyfully moves his hands.
He gently touches each white hand clinging to his body, the black mud, the blue mist, the rusty chains, the transparent stakes, the thin curtains, the glittering gnats—and turns them all into particles of light.
However, unlike the others, the ‘Blood Anomalies’ do not return to blood.
Instead, each one becomes a piece of paper densely covered with writing.
As a stack of about thirty pages accumulates in Kanami’s hand, he has completely broken free from the restraint. And, before he knew it, he is holding a bound ‘Book’ in his other hand.
—And on the title of that ‘Book,’ the six letters “Rustiara” were entwined.
Kanami glances at each piece of paper with apparent amusement, then places it in the ‘Book.’
At that moment, he had the look of someone “Reading” a new novel. At the same time, he looked as if he were enjoying warm tea with “Someone” in the comfort of his own room.
My composure is visibly shaken.
In just a few tens of seconds, I have been made to understand.
“Chapter… Chapter 1, Verse 7…”
Ultimately, Kanami did not forcefully annihilate the “Blood Anomalies.”
Just like with the “Blood Dolls” and “Blood Beasts,” he accepted them rather than rejecting them.
Afterward, he very carefully shifted their dimensions and preserved them as a page of this continent’s culture in his book.
Seeing Kanami’s delighted expression, I cannot help but think:
—What I thought was a battle was not a battle.
Kanami now wears an expression far removed from the painful, troublesome notions of victory or defeat.
Just like that day a thousand years ago, he is merely engaging in pleasant conversation with me about the world’s culture.
Even my full-force “Blood Anomalies” were just me displaying my knowledge of history and theology while babbling excitedly, with the larger Kanami happily nodding beside me—
—And this time, Rustiara is also here, so it’s even more fun.
“—’Ordeals are the prize of hope and good fortune… proof that one has moved forward to tomorrow—”
I retort, turning the pages of my “Scripture” to match his pace.
I want to utter firm words with an attitude that won’t lose to Kanami’s current demeanor.
But my words don’t come out smoothly.
Compared to the rusty chain anomaly, the “real thing” on the other side was too much.
My trusted “Scripture” is also nearing its limit.
“…Is what I’m saying truly fun for you?”
I still cannot understand the feelings of a true “Thief of Principles.”
Therefore, I ask again.
*The first chapter of the comic adaptation has been released today.
I’ve posted it in the activity report, but I’ll share it here again.
https://comic-gardo.com/
You can see Kanami struggling against monsters, so it’s highly recommended.*
*And “Let’s Aim for the Deepest Part of the Otherworld Labyrinth 12” will be released on 7/25.
You can see Aid landing a clean hit on this Kanami here, so please check it out too.*
