If it was the special underground space called the “Second Labyrinth,” the “Threads” wouldn’t reach.
For that purpose, we headed towards the city of Daryl in the center of the “Mainland.”
A year ago, it was the epicenter of the “Shaka Hōkan Jin” caused by the Palinkron Legacy, a place that had been strongly affected by both its damage and its benefits.
While it was an area with numerous fissures, gradual land leveling and afforestation had begun to give the town some shape.
The “Second Labyrinth” was connected through a large hole in the center, and for several months prior, visitors hoping to reach it had flooded in, earning the continent the name “Labyrinth City.”
However, the situation in Daryl changed drastically after the “Witch with the Grim Reaper,” Maria, visited and transformed the entrance into a lava zone.
The city, which had served as a front-line base against the North, was now expected to function as a transit point between the North and South following the establishment of the “North-South Allied Nations.”
Therefore, at present.
Daryl is referred to as a trading city rather than a labyrinth city, characterized by the multitude of temporary tents remaining, with only the fervor of the outdoor stalls having doubled.
Trading City Daryl is famous for its lack of city walls or checkpoints. This makes it easy to infiltrate from less guarded areas—and I, still being carried by Glen, passed through the gaps between tents unseen by anyone—and along the way, I overheard the voices of some children from the shadows of the town.
Among their conversations, there was information not unrelated to us.
“—The knight guys were so happy! I heard some kind of contact came through the ‘Magic Stone Line’!”
“The red sea on the west disappeared cleanly. That’s why the heroes from the Allied Nations who visited before are apparently passing through this town again.”
“If they’re passing through here, let’s get some new masks ready… I want one with ears like everyone else…”
“It’s a special occasion! Thanks to the orphanage they prepared for us, let’s show them we’re doing well! Do you think they’ll notice!”
That’s the sort of thing they were talking about.
And then, I saw them.
A group comprised not only of beast-human children but also children who were “Magic Stone Humans,” all wearing a variety of masks.
Some wore them on their heads, while others, like pendants, hung them around their necks.
These distinctive adornments were also seen among travelers who had come from outside the city—
“—It’s about celebrating the end of the ‘Border War’ that has continued for so long with the greatest festival in human history. Rumor has it that the ‘Senate’ is deeply involved this time.”
“It’s not the first time they’ve come out for a festival, not just reconstruction, is it?”
“That just goes to show how tough it was. Especially after that incredible Ice Magic from before.”
“Honestly, I don’t really feel it. Even if they say the whole continent was frozen and shown the same ‘illusion’… In the end, our homes and belongings were unharmed.”
“The war ended on its own, the ‘North-South Allied Nations’ were formed, and only good things have happened.”
They walked around, wearing some kind of mask and engaging in such discussions.
Among them were the voices of town merchants who likely resided there, discussing matters like the establishment of a new calendar and state religion.
Being immobile, I strained my ears as we moved.
Each was merely a fragment of conversation from passing remarks, but I felt it.
I voiced my thoughts.
“—It was a strange atmosphere.”
Now, Glen and I had finished passing through the town, crossed the lava zone, and were inside the dimly lit “Second Labyrinth.”
In response to my sentiment, Glen explained.
“The ‘Final Festival’ is about to begin… Nominally, it’s a repeat of the Christmas festival held within the ‘Winter Otherworld,’ but it’s clearly a ceremony targeting the world itself…”
As expected, it wasn’t just a festival to celebrate a victory; a “Price” would be incurred.
From now on, the continent would be enveloped in a kind of barrier.
Kanami’s “plan for everyone to be happy” that he confessed to Rustiara included the completion of the true “Magic” of the “Thief of the Principles of Dimensions.”
If the ritual on the ground was involved with that “Magic Kanami,” then the preparations on the other side must truly be complete.
“So that’s how it is. But this swiftness in arranging things is abnormal. It must have been a foregone conclusion that the ‘Blood Land’ would be lifted… As if by destiny.”
Unable to stop the momentum, I was carried through the dim labyrinth, feeling a sense of defeat.
The interior of the “Second Labyrinth” was no different from the labyrinth in the “Frontier” Allied Nations.
Occasionally, monsters would appear, but in such shallow floors, they weren’t even a threat. While the “Black Threads” weren’t moving within the labyrinth, nothing could match Glen’s high-level haste.
During the movement, Glen initiated a conversation with me, who was deep in thought.
“I’m sorry… I said all those bold things before the battle, yet I ended up like this.”
He regretted his complete defeat when he challenged Seldra in the “Blood Land.” Thus, he seemed determined to apologize, even if it meant sacrificing his own lifespan, and to carry me with all his might.
However, from my perspective, defeat was the natural outcome.
After all, that person I admired—
“Glen, you faced the wrong opponent. Seldra is the ‘Strongest’ living being, excluding the ‘Foreigners.’ Frankly, it couldn’t be helped.”
“No, that’s not it, Fafnir. I had Seldra beaten. I was close to killing him, but at the very last moment…”
“…Is that so?”
The details of the battle that had unfolded on the surface while I was challenging Kanami became clear.
I didn’t believe it was a lie or a pretense.
Through Kanami’s memories, I witnessed “The Eightieth Ordeal.”
Seldra was likely undergoing not only weakening due to the replacement of “Lingering Desire” but also changes in his ideology and values. Consequently, it was highly probable that he chose to converse instead of fighting Glen.
I suspect that Seldra, who was receiving attacks without defense, was on the verge of being defeated by Glen—when that vampire, Kuuneru, intervened and stole the magic stone of the “Thief of the Law of Blood.”
She is a high-ranking demon, just like me.
It wouldn’t be strange for her to have a trump card hidden that could be effective against a fatigued Glen.
Yet, we had let our guard down against Kuuneru.
Or rather, her power had made us complacent.
As I grasped the flow that led to Kuuneru’s victory, Glen grumbled with annoyance.
“Even the ‘Undead Killer’s Poison,’ which sacrificed my clan, couldn’t be used effectively… it was wasted…!”
I couldn’t find any words of comfort.
I understood that he didn’t need half-hearted consolation.
However, there was one word I absolutely wanted to confirm with Glen.
He seemed to have used the “Undead Killer’s Poison,” a trump card he had even hidden from me, on Seldra…
A poison that sacrificed his clan.
I had heard a similar story just a short while ago.
“Glen, the reason you’re so fixated on Seldra is…”
“……”
“Could it be that your clan’s name is ‘Filion’?”
“……!?”
Glen was surprised by the question.
I realized the answer from his expression.
I, who had guessed it by intuition, was even more surprised than him.
A thousand years ago, on that day, Seldra destroyed the “Village of the Wise Dragons.”
He had devoured them, including a girl who was Seldra’s cousin.
Had there been any survivors?
No, even if he were, since Glenn isn’t a dragon person, it’s completely a different “Filion.” However, there’s also the possibility that the dragon blood has thinned due to interbreeding… To confirm consanguinity, verification will be necessary. Meticulously, from various angles, repeatedly…
“In Glenn’s village, what are the continental legends saying? Aren’t there any special oral traditions about Seldra and Kanami?”
“…There are oral traditions. But, before I explain them, it’ll be faster to meet the leader. She believes the same as I do… We’ve arrived.”
Glenn stopped his dash as he said that.
He freed me from the restraint of the “Black Threads” and set me down on the ground.
Staggering, I planted my feet on the ground.
Because I had been restrained for so long, I was able to rest on his shoulder. So, with Glenn, who had become more wobbly than me from the journey here, I lent him my shoulder and supported him.
And then, I saw what lay at the end of the labyrinth’s corridor.
“A house, inside the labyrinth?”
The surroundings were the cave type common in the lower floors of the labyrinth, with dampness pervading the rugged rocky ground. However, it was a wide and open space.
It was probably a special boss area.
But, standing in the center of that place was not a boss monster but a building.
It was a single-family house.
It didn’t have the peculiar shape often found in labyrinths, but rather resembled a common household dwelling on the ground.
However, the material was not wood or stone, but something like jet-black mud.
It was undoubtedly built with magic, so I hesitated to enter.
But we didn’t have time to stand still.
Still supported by Glenn, I moved forward and, with trepidation, opened the door of the black house, about to step inside—only to be greeted by a cheerfully energetic voice, unfitting for the end of our battle up to this point.
“Ah, welcome home! I’ve been waiting for you—but, huh!? Eeeeek!?”
At the entrance, a little girl was waiting with a radiant, sun-like smile.
However, upon seeing us, she immediately let out a scream and raised both her hands.
She had long chestnut hair tied up in two pigtails, and was a girl with a very expressive face.
She possessed a purity I could never have witnessed in my time.
“Wh-!?”
And yet, for some reason, I felt a sense of familiarity and was flustered.
Her aura, her scent, her demeanor—they strangely tickled the depths of my heart.
It was different from the familiarity I felt earlier, which was unique to me as an acting representative of Kuuneru’s “Thief of the Law of Blood.”
The air of my hometown’s daily life seemed to emanate from her, and the tension within me melted away.
I wasn’t the only one to let down my guard; the Glenn beside me seemed the same.
Losing even the strength to cling to my body, he stumbled forward and offered his greeting of return.
“Leader, I’ve brought them. I’m late…, I’m sorry…”
“Whoa, whoa!”
Hustling, the girl rushed forward, extending both her hands towards Glenn.
Though I was meeting her for the first time, this child must be the leader in question.
It made sense that she couldn’t make it all the way to the “Blood Land.”
She was too weak. The magic power she wore was too faint.
“A-and, Gugu-Gugu-Gugu-GLENN! Your chest! There’s a hole in it! How could you hang on until you were like this!? If it looks impossible, retreat! ‘I can still go’ is fine, but ‘I can’t anymore’ is not! The ability to quickly decide to give up is the most important thing! But you always said stuff that didn’t fit the mood without reading the room, Glenn!”
“On the bed over there… I’m going to collapse. Leader, about recruiting Fafnir—”
Saying this, Glenn pointed to a corner of the house.
The furniture inside the house was no different from that of a normal home.
Except for the floor and walls being black and a bit jelly-like, it was a place that seemed quite comfortable for resting.
And on the bed in the corner, a different face was already present.
Unlike the girl, it was a familiar face. It was the young knight Rainer Helvirshine, whom I had confronted before at Fuziaze Castle in the Great Holy Capital.
The young man, who had been fighting on par with Master Ragune, sighed, stood up, and began to construct magic in his hand.
“Glenn-san… and, Grandfather, it’s been a while. There are many things I want to say, but first… —《Cureleul》”
It seemed he was going to perform healing with Divine Magic.
We, who had been supporting Glenn’s body, quickly handed him over to Rainer.
The girl watched Glenn being carried to the bed with a worried expression.
However, realizing there was nothing she could do to help with the treatment, she quickly shook her head and turned to me, forcefully beginning her self-introduction.
“Nice to meet you, I’m Shira Legacy! I’m the leader of the party here! Welcome, Fafnir-san!”
She introduced herself as Legacy.
The girl, bearing the family name of an Apostle, bowed deeply and pleaded with me.
“Like Aid-sensei, I’ve heard you’re someone great from the past! Please, teach us, who are still inexperienced…”
She was an acquaintance of Aid, the “Thief of the Laws of Wood.” As I was bewildered by her overly direct invitation, a new girl appeared from deeper within the house.
She wore all black and had black hair and black eyes.
Unlike Shira Legacy, this girl radiated a malevolent magic, and her presence was more akin to my era.
She furrowed her brow, her wariness apparent. I, who had been engaged in specialized research, recognized her as a “Magic Stone Human.”
“Shi-chan, I’m still against it. He’s completely different from Aid-sensei. Having him join the party instead would be an insult to the deceased teacher. This man is connected to that damned research done by the Neisha Family…”
“Noir-chan, let’s trust this ‘Thief of Principles,’ who is like Sensei. None of the ‘Thieves of Principles’ we’ve met so far have been bad people.”
“…Even so, Rouge and I will absolutely not agree. If she were alive, sister Hairi would definitely be on our side too. ‘Magic Stone Humans’ all hate researchers and scholars.”
“Hmm. Sister Hairi has too big a heart to mind, though.”
Shira tried to admonish Noir, the black “Magic Stone Human,” who directed her dislike towards me.
The story was that they wanted me to fill the vacant party slot left by Aid.
I looked around the house, confirming no one else was present, and asked.
“First of all, what is the purpose of this gathering…?”
Including Glenn, who came with me, there were four people here now.
I’d heard they were a party that opposed Kanami, but their specific ideology and goals were still unclear.
In response to my question, the leader, Shira, answered without hesitation.
“The purpose? We’re a labyrinth exploration party. Therefore, it’s the ‘Deepest Part’ of the labyrinth!”
The most important keyword, which we had discussed just a moment ago in hell, was casually brought up.
However, though the words were identical, the impression they gave was entirely different.
“Ah, that expression! You’re looking at me like I’m not the explorer type, aren’t you! …I’m often told that. But, I’ve been diligently leading this labyrinth exploration party for a year, seeking the miracle of the ‘Deepest Part.’ I’m about to become an intermediate explorer. Right, Noir-chan?”
“W-well, I wonder about that…”
Explorers of the Labyrinth. It’s a concept that didn’t exist a thousand years ago, but I hear it’s now a common profession recognized in various regions. This is because in the Frontier, labyrinths are deeply rooted in people’s lives.
“I see. So, as an explorer, you’re aiming for the Deepest Part. You have a wish you want to grant, even if it means clinging to a miracle. That’s why you’re hostile towards Kanami-san—”
“No, I don’t want a miracle that much. So, simply put, Kanami’s Older Brother is a fellow professional, and a worthy rival!”
Th-this is quite… an amazing child…
Even I, with great courage, could only stop at the word “enemy.” The phrase “Kanami-san’s worthy rival” is too presumptuous, and I’ve never said it even once. Yet, this girl had easily overcome that wall.
On top of that, Noir behind her was trembling and starting to weave curses.
“Kaaanami… I will never forgive that man. If only he weren’t around… I’ll make him grovel before me…! I’ll make him apologize for killing Shira-chi’s Palinkron Uncle…!”
What did Kanami do to her? I don’t know, but it seems she’s earned considerable hatred. However, hearing the name Palinkron, which Noir just mentioned, I can faintly surmise the purpose of this group. Palinkron Legacy is famous among the Thief of Principles of a thousand years later.
“Shira killed her uncle by Kanami-san’s hand? In other words, this is a form of revenge—”
“I don’t resent him. I know Kanami is a really good person because he saved me once. Compared to him, Palinkron Uncle was the bad guy… though it’s a bit pitiful for my uncle, even I, his family, think so.”
The resentment seems to be solely from the black-haired child there. Then, what are Shira’s feelings about aiming for the Deepest Part? If it’s a desire to carry on her family’s will, I can understand it a little.
“I heard from Maria-chan and Rai-chi. Palinkron Uncle was the one who caused the Great Calamity on the continent… and he was killing Kanami-san with utter enjoyment until his dying moments…”
It seems she has a complicated relationship with Kanami. Even though she has no talent for magic, she is burdened with a heavy fate, I thought with pity—then Shira shouted, as if throwing away everything on her back.
“So, for me, that’s the end! If I had to say, the highest priority this time is to get my uncle’s memento back from Kanami-san! Somehow, I’m angry that he, who is called The One Who Steals the Logic of Darkness… or something like that? Casually took my magic stone pendant and made it his own! I’m really, really angry!”
She conveyed with her whole body that revenge wasn’t her goal. However, there were many questionable points in her story.
“A magic stone…? But that magic stone is the very soul of Teeda Runs… No, is that wrong? Come to think of it, Maria mentioned before that Palinkron was mixed in the magic stone of The One Who Steals the Logic of Darkness, so information could be extracted through Affinity…”
“Yes, Maria-chan made me have Affinity! She said, ‘I’m doing it too, so you definitely can too,’ and forced me… But that’s exactly why! I claim that magic stone is mine! I discovered it lying there first when I explored the Second Labyrinth with Maria-chan! I heard Kanami sold it once, and my uncle properly bought it back through legitimate means! Don’t you think it belongs to the Legacy family!?”
“W-wait a minute. It was lying there? In this Second Labyrinth?”
“Eh? Yes. Picking up things in the labyrinth is my specialty.”
The leader’s words, while seeming very casual, were filled with crucial information.
Wasn’t the magic stone of The One Who Steals the Logic of Darkness connected to Teeda’s soul? Come to think of it, what happens to the soul if the proxy possessing the magic stone of The One Who Steals the Logic of Darkness dies? As someone who studied souls, I’m curious. I want to verify it. It doesn’t seem like two separate magic stones simply fall. Perhaps they mix easily, like with the Blood Beast? Or maybe—
“It’s not a lie! It ‘recalling and converging’ right in front of me.”
“In front of you…!?”
“I’ve always been lucky since I was little.”
Shira Legacy herself doesn’t seem to be thinking about complicated matters. Regardless of souls, she wants to keep it as a memento. She believes she, who cherished her uncle, has the right to possess it. At least, she seems to want to have a serious talk with Kanami, who is treating it as his own.
Frankly, I thought she was the type Kanami would find difficult to handle. Shira Legacy is an amateur in combat. At worst, her Aptitude and Level might even lose to a common town girl. Yet, she’s fully determined to challenge Kanami. If luck is on her side, she might genuinely—even if it’s just a trivial child-like argument—win against Kanami in a strange turn of events, and that’s terrifying.
I felt she was employing a more correct tactic to fight Kanami than I was. After all, Kanami will respond if someone genuinely wishes to talk.
“Kuh, ha ha ha. Ha ha ha, ah… ah…”
I laughed, realizing how roundabout my approach had been, after having just fought Kanami head-on. As my laughter faded, my exhaustion reached its peak, and I almost collapsed as if anemic.
“W-w-w-whoa, if you’re going to collapse, do it in bed—but there’s only one here, what do I do!?”
The kind-hearted Shira Legacy looked around, trying to find a place to rest. I shook my head and approached the nearest chair, sitting down on my own accord.
“No, this is enough. Like Glen over there, it’s a special kind of fatigue.”
I pointed to Glen, who had collapsed on a nearby bed. Rainer had just finished using up his magical power and cast Divine Magic. Glen’s condition still looked bad. Even if the visible lacerations had closed, the internal damage was not healed. He likely received some special magic in his battle with Seldra, causing damage at a genetic and soul level. Considering the excessive Demonization and the complete loss of his heart, it’s a miracle he’s alive. Even if I were in perfect condition as the Thief of Blood Principles, this treatment might be difficult. Rainer seemed to have the same diagnosis, wiping sweat from his brow and shaking his head slightly.
“I’ve done all I can with Divine Magic… There’s no one with more Divine Magic than me right now, so this is the limit. Honestly, it’s…”
He won’t live long. Glen listened to Rainer’s words with a smile.
“Rainer-kun’s intuition is often accurate. How much time do you think I have left?”
“It depends on the duration of my Demonization… but perhaps a few more days at most. After that, it’s either becoming a complete Monster or dying. …Good for you.”
Currently, Glen is able to act thanks to a special organ found in a certain type of monster.
Without a heart, if conscious “Demonization” becomes impossible, he will die.
Rainer had the same assessment as me, but his expression was different.
Glen’s smile deepened along with his.
“Ah, it’s truly a relief… That you’re still here after all that selfishness… It’s all thanks to Reaper-kun. Despite being in a difficult position, you wholeheartedly favored me.”
“I don’t think you need to be that grateful. I just felt annoyed by Christ’s methods, so I thought I’d favor the other side. Probably.”
“…Maybe. Come to think of it, Reaper-kun was always like that.”
While the two of them laughed together, I continued to be surprised.
Rainer should have been in this “Second Labyrinth” the whole time.
However, he spoke as if he had witnessed it, criticizing Kanami.
As if he could see through all of Kanami’s methods…
“Did you two know about Kanami’s ‘Plan’ from before?”
I had no choice but to ask.
Rainer answered calmly to my question.
“I don’t know about the ‘Plan.’ However, I understand… It’s probably about reviving Rustiara, even if it means your entire self becomes the ‘Price,’ right? It’s easy to imagine Christ becoming unable to see anything else.”
He easily guessed what I had wanted to confirm by using “Distance Mute” on Kanami.
As Glen said, Rainer’s intuition is extremely sharp.
“Christ wants to meet Rustiara. But because he doesn’t want anyone to be unhappy, he’ll offer himself entirely as the ‘Price.’ I knew from the beginning that he would do such foolish self-harm. After all, it’s that Christ, isn’t it?”
Rainer gave a bitter smile as if teasing.
It wasn’t mockery.
It contained a sense of exasperation towards a friend.
I realized it wasn’t the power of intuition.
This was the power of bonds.
And a deep understanding for someone precious.
What Fafnir Helvirshine’s life lacked, Rainer Helvirshine possessed.
“Ku, kuhah, hahaha…”
I wasn’t frustrated.
I was happy.
I saw a sliver of hope in the fact that there was a boy who was Kanami’s “friend” more than I, who had known him for a thousand years.
“So, because you understood so well, you prepared here… Then, what kind of ‘Plan’ is it, here—”
“I apologize. We haven’t made much preparation.”
“…Wh-why?”
That hope withered in an instant.
Rainer, with a bitter smile, frowned displeasedly.
“Honestly, this party is terribly disorganized and uncooperative. We were supposed to trust that Christ would reconsider and watch over him until the ‘Final Festival’ began… But everyone who isn’t here is already acting on their own. …No one is even close to believing in Christ.”
“Rai-acchi is right! That’s the thing that makes me the most irate! We promised we’d start and finish everything together, like, ‘Ready, set, go!’ but..! The biggest culprit is Glenn-san! And I can see that Rai-acchi is also trying to do everything alone when it comes down to it! Rule-breakers will be scolded by Reaper-chan!”
When the topic turned to the party, the leader, who had been trying to keep things together, started protesting with his hands up and down.
Glenn and Rainer, having been called out, quickly averted their gazes.
Rainer, as if to deflect the fact that he’d been correctly pinpointed, scratched his head and asked me.
“It’s like this. …What will you do? You’re here, so you’re likely annoyed with the current Christ, but I won’t force cooperation.”
He left the choice to me.
I am Kanami’s enemy.
However, once I calmed down, I still didn’t have a clear vision of how to fight. Meeting Shea, I strongly felt the need to drastically change my fighting style.
“What about you? You, who share the same family name as me, what will you do?”
“Rainer Helvirshine never changes. I act for my lord as a ‘Knight of Christ.’ However, if I believe my lord is in the wrong, I will stop him, even if it means becoming his enemy. That’s all, always.”
Because he’s Kanami’s knight, he’ll become an enemy.
It felt similar to me, who had become an enemy to help Kanami.
“Fafnir-saaan! I’ll continue to recruit you, by force if necessary! If you join my companions now, I’ll give you the ‘Sacred Twin Swords of Helvirshine’ as a present! These are Fafnir-san’s from a thousand years ago, aren’t they?”
In the blink of an eye, Shea seemed to have run around the house and retrieved a weapon.
Seeing what was in her hand, I shook my head.
“No, I don’t use actual swords. Even if you give me a good sword, it would be a waste.”
“Eh? You don’t use swords…? Weren’t Rai-acchi’s ancestors knights? And not just any knights, but so much so that he was called ‘The Best of Knights,’ and his descendant, Hein-san, was called ‘The Most Superior Knight’?”
“Me, the ‘Knight among Knights’? Kuhah, hah, a bad joke. Too much irony.”
If that were the case, I wouldn’t have met such an end a thousand years ago.
At the end of the war a thousand years ago, my prolonged act of a fanatic had caused me to lose control.
I had truly caused nothing but trouble for the country of Fuziaze.
As I self-deprecatingly said that, Rainer spoke to me earnestly.
“However, within the Helvirshine family, it is passed down orally. One of the legendary Three Knights was a knight skilled in blood magic and twin swords, and was the only one who was an ‘equal friend’ to the ‘Shiso.'”
“I understand blood magic. But me, a knight with twin swords? Who on earth would say something so arbitrary…”
I was a believer.
Secondarily, perhaps a scholar or a traveler.
I had no understanding of the spirit of a knight at all.
When I think of knights, I only remember my colleagues, not myself.
“The one who steals the logic of darkness,” Teeda Runs.
“The One Who Steals Earthly Principles,” Rowen Aleis.
Those two were likely knights.
Regardless of their fighting style, both strove to be allies to the weak and loyal individuals. At least, their spirits were those of knights.
For some reason, we, including myself, were considered the “Three Knights of the Banner.” This was merely because we were “friends” with Kanami, who possessed the power of “Thief of Principles”—
“…For so long, I was just pretending to be a friend to a mad Kanami. Therefore, if such legends remain, it’s just a made-up story left by Tiara, the sole survivor, to suit her convenience.”
It was historical fabrication.
However, if the one who performed that fabrication was Tiara, who had overwhelmed Hidaki, then the story changes slightly.
That girl was a monster who discarded everything of herself to foresee the future.
Everything that spilled from her mouth had already been elevated to a form of prophecy.
For Tiara, it seems, the future held me wielding two swords.
It’s highly probable that I was adding to the script through “Writing” to ensure things turned out that way.
If that’s the case, following that script, will I be able to defeat Seldra and Kanami by wielding my twin swords?
However, I’ve always been a ghost fighting with nothing but blood and curses.
One of my hands is always occupied with the “Scriptures.”
I felt a certain intention in the choice of twin swords.
And that sensation, I believe, is what Rustiara Fuziaze meant when she said, “I have prepared,” before parting with Kanami.
“Though it’s only a little… I’m starting to understand the flow. Are you all gathered here, guided by the girl Tiara from that time… the Saint Tiara?”
In that “Final Battle,” Tiara had left the stage alongside Hidaki.
However, her influence still lingered strongly.
It wasn’t just me who felt it; Shira responded with a cheer.
“Right! In my Legacy family, we prayed to Tiara-sama every day! I think we’re lucky because we pray a lot to Revannism! Right, Noir-chan!”
“Ti, Tiara-sama…? Hh-Hyaaa, yes, Tiara-samaaaa! I’ll do it, I’ll do it! I’ll definitely accomplish it, so please, please, please—!!”
“No! It’s happening again! Alright, alright, Noir-chan, we’re here for you.”
For some reason, Noir’s breathing became ragged, tears welled up in her eyes, and she became frantic.
It seemed she, too, had been affected by Tiara, albeit in the form of trauma.
Glen, lying on the bed, also voiced his agreement.
“The hidden village where I grew up is said to have been created by Tiara-sama a thousand years ago… There’s a truyền miệng that we’ve been cultivating the “strongest poison” in the village, just in case something called the “Evil God” reappears…”
Seeing everyone else nod in agreement, I became certain.
It’s that girl.
Tiara, the girl who was beside Kanami that day, is still clinging to Kanami’s side. Despite losing everything, transforming into magic, and fulfilling her purpose, she remains insatiable.
Come to think of it, there’s no part of this continent untouched by her influence.
I was about to nod in understanding when—
“—No. It’s not Tiara-san.”
Rainer, who should have been the most profoundly influenced, insisted that it was a mistake.
“She’s truly careless, opportunistic, and adept at taking credit for others’ achievements. I’m absolutely sure she intends to snatch the credit again this time.”
This assessment was harsh, coming from me, who had begun to revere both Tiara and Rustiara as “Saints.” I found myself retorting, perhaps a little too defensively.
“However, Rainer Helvirshine. The fact that we’re all gathered here can only be attributed to the will of that girl Tiara. Especially you, I heard you spoke directly with that Tiara and inherited various things.”
“It’s true that she asked me to aim for the “Deepest Part” of the labyrinth… She also asked me to defeat the Aikawa Siblings and save the world. But all of that is self-evident, things I would have done even without being told.”
He shook his head, implying that Tiara wasn’t that important. A boy claiming the name “Helvirshine” a thousand years later—
“Even without Tiara-san, we would have been acting with all our might to protect ‘our own worlds’. A thousand years ago is irrelevant. What drives us desperately now is the will of those of us who are alive. Absolutely.”
His firm declaration struck me.
In everyday life, such words might sound merely grandiloquent.
But to me, who was unofficially continuing the creation of the “Scriptures,” these were words worthy of being recorded for posterity.
“‘Protecting ‘our own worlds’… the present…”
Having only vaguely thought of “saving the world” and failing to even save “Hermina-san’s world,” which was close to me, it was important to focus on whose “world” I was saving.
“That’s precisely why those who have ridiculous existences like ‘Great Hero Kanami,’ ‘Primordial Kanami,’ or ‘Saint Kanami’ within ‘their own worlds’ are our enemies. They are incompatible with me, Rainer Helvirshine, who wants to protect ‘Christ Eurasia’ in my world.”
It felt as if the boy, claiming to be my descendant, already held the “Scriptures” I had spent a thousand years acquiring.
Even though no one should have inherited my blood, the connection was still there, reminding me of Hermina-san’s “happiness”—so I firmly inscribed Rainer’s words into the continuation of the “Scriptures.” I decided to title this chapter not by Ragune, but by Rainer.
“Now, all souls living in this world possess their own distinct ‘worlds’ to protect. I see the upcoming ‘Final Festival’ as a contest where we will try to impose our respective ‘Ideals’ on each other. Therefore, Tiara-san is irrelevant. You too, can do as you please… but it would be appreciated if you could coordinate your timing. We should all strike simultaneously at the opening created by Christ, who initiated the ‘Final Festival.'”
We can exploit the opening.
I knew that Kanami had spoken of how “creating magic leaves him vulnerable, which is why he needs companions,” after I had cast “Distance Mute.”
Ultimately, this Party, despite claiming to have no preparations or plans, is steadily building a path to victory.
“Rai-chi, sometimes your Revannism gets a little scary… But I think that’s probably about right! Personally, I’d be incredibly happy if you’d just join us! Please support me! If I become the ‘Ruler of the World,’ Kanami-san will surely be surprised—!”
She’s a child who says outrageous things with such lightness and cheer.
She probably doesn’t understand what being the “Ruler of the World” truly entails.
She seems to want to win, just for the sake of genuinely surprising Kanami.
—That’s why it’s reassuring.
She’s truly reassuring. I even feel that if this child became the “Ruler of the World,” everything would go much smoother than if Kanami did. I now understand why Glen and the others call her their leader.
However, if a situation arises where Shira Legacy can become the “Ruler of the World,” Glen, Rainer, and Noir will undoubtedly betray her wholeheartedly. They would likely step forward and say they’d do it themselves rather than let such a good child suffer the hardships of being the “Ruler of the World.” Without a doubt.
That’s how it is…
That’s why I, too, will steal the “Thief of Principles” magic stone from Kanami…
“That’s all there is to it, in the end…”
A smile spread across my face as I solidified my new “Lingering Desire” and closed my eyes. Relaxing with relief, I leaned my entire weight onto the chair, letting my body and spirit rest.
Then, I pondered what the possessors of the magic stones on the other side must be feeling and doing. I let my thoughts drift, as if dreaming, in preparation for the coming battle.
*Next week’s update will be postponed. My apologies.*
*Chapter 9 will continue. I apologize again that it is shaping up to be the longest chapter, even if I postpone discussions on Seldra vs. Glen and the Revannism scriptures…*
