This is a double chapter upload.
Fafnir appeared, dragging Hermina’s Heart.
Unlike me, who had anticipated his arrival, Kanami was utterly surprised.
“Wh-What… You were supposed to have fallen, beyond the Plan…”
His question probably stemmed from witnessing the end of “Hell” deep within the 99th floor’s blood pool, up to a certain point.
However, while fighting me seriously, Kanami had taken his eyes off Fafnir.
And in that moment, Fafnir had walked all the way here normally.
It was just that, but for me, it was the greatest “Fortune” of my life.
I turned my body towards Fafnir.
I couldn’t stand anymore, so I twisted only my upper body.
“I’ll show you the ‘Evil Dragon’ still moving even after its soul has departed.”
Along with that, I held up my Magic Stone and Kanami’s unstable form. Fafnir’s expression then softened. Just as I realized it at a glance, Fafnir also seemed to understand the situation.
In this 100th floor, Seldra Queenfilion had been defeated.
That meant I lost, with my “Dragon God Slayer” being ineffective, and—
—It also meant that on this 100th floor, there was no “God” that Fafnir had been seeking.
Fafnir might not be able to bear that fact. I worried, but was soon reassured that it was just a杞憂.
“Even so… I will save everyone… That was my Helvishein…”
He answered immediately. Even knowing there was no “God” anywhere, Fafnir Helvishein continued to walk down the stone path, “even so.”
He was smiling, but also crying. His expression was somewhat mad. However, I could also feel a sense of clarity, as if he had brought his own life to a conclusion.
With that expression and gait, Fafnir reached my side as I knelt on my knees. The two ancient acquaintances stood side-by-side, and I immediately extended both my arms.
The two Magic Stones I held—
“The one who steals the logic of darkness,” Teeda Runs.
“The One Who Steals Earthly Principles,” Rowen Aleis.
—I intended to entrust these two to Fafnir.
At the same time, I petitioned the three knights of the “Banner of Light” in the south. I would recognize them as the “Commander” of the north. You were all truly strong knights. To those strong three, now, I swallowed my shame—
“Ka… Kana… mi…”
I pleaded. I wanted to request assistance, transcending the boundaries of north and south.
Fafnir’s left hand received my outstretched arms. My right hand was occupied with “Hermina’s Heart,” so with his left hand, he gathered—clasped—both my arms.
The moment he did, my body collapsed as if “Threads” had snapped. Fafnir tried to support me with just his left hand, but it was in vain.
“S-Seldra-san!”
My body, having entrusted the two Magic Stones, had begun to transform into “Demonic Poison.” Like other monsters, my body became transparent, disappearing as particles of light danced upwards. Seeing this, Fafnir spoke the rest of my name.
“I could hear you, Seldra Queenfilion… There’s no convenient god anywhere. That became your true ‘Magic’.”
“Faf… nar… Kana… mi…”
“…You, too, were one who suffered from ‘Innate Differences’. To me, you were no different from other ‘Demon’s’. …Even so, you continued to resist your primal desires and never gave up until the end. You tried to save someone until you died. I respect you. …You were always the cool Seldra-san. And because of that, to me who admired that cool you—”
He was used to it, I thought. He must have witnessed the deaths of so many people like this. So many pitiable souls dragged down by the nature of a “Demon.” In “Hell,” his beloved Hermina and others too.
Therefore, Fafnir understood perfectly. Looking at the two Magic Stones resting on his left palm, he grasped my wish, left me fallen, and stood up.
“Leave it to me. —No, leave everything else to me, Seldra.”
He changed his tone. As if to mourn me, he matched my speech. He’s good. Always has been. But that’s precisely why I felt he could accomplish what I couldn’t—bringing Kanami together. Fafnir’s face contorted, drenched in tears—but at that moment, he firmly stopped his tears, grinned, and watched me depart.
“I… Fafnir-Neel Helvishein Lorelei… swear that I will absolutely save Kanami. I’ll be just as cool as you!”
“……, …Ha……, haha…”
I burst into laughter. I don’t know what happened in that hell, but it was too long. What a ridiculous name I thought. Knowing the knowledge of two worlds, it felt like a strange send-off. Of course, Fafnir wouldn’t know anything. But the cleaner who sent him here and made him take on this name must be different. They too, gained knowledge from the other side, and received it from Kanami— Was this timing… their doing? Ah… Ever since they kicked my leg, they’ve only… engaged in roundabout harassment… Fafnir, who succeeded in making me laugh, gave another satisfied chuckle, saying, “Haha, alright.”
“Die already, Seldra. Leave the rest to me. I will definitely save everyone. I will—” And from here on, he walked ahead of me, saying, “I will do this myself, not anyone else.”
I thought he was far too used to seeing people off. Fafnir, who had expertly taken my dying moments, began his “Incantation” with a practiced air.
“— ‘I have no name’ ‘I forgot to discard it’ ‘So, it’s gone now’ —”
It wasn’t a magical “Incantation.” It wasn’t an enhancement of some attribute. It was an “Incantation” meant solely to draw attention. Just to be heard. By me. By the world. By the souls on this 100th floor. By my fellow “Thief of Principles.” By the “Demons” who died without being saved. Fafnir walked, reciting the “Incantation” towards Kanami. Continuing the path I had walked—
“— ‘But, I am being called. I have always been called. Now, I have come because I was called’ —”
The form of the Magic Stones in Fafnir’s hands changed. Responding to the poem of his former colleague, Teeda’s Magic Stone, “The one who steals the logic of darkness,” became a familiar mask. Fafnir brought it to his head. However, he tilted it to his temple so as not to obstruct his face or vision and put it on. As if sensing his will, the mask suddenly began to change its shape. It was no longer a shape for hiding, escaping, or deceiving. It clung to Fafnir’s pure white clothes, dyeing them black. A uniquely shaped black light armor was born. Furthermore, at his waist were two black scabbards, one large and one small. Fafnir, with reverence, sheathed “Hermina’s Heart,” which he had been dragging, into a scabbard. Following that, the “Aris Family’s Treasure Sword Rowen” fit into the other scabbard. Fafnir, armed with twin swords at his waist, looked only forward and walked resolutely. His steps were light. Vibrant “Blood” pulsed through his translucent legs.
“— ‘The Knight of the Twin Swords’ Name is, Hellfire’ —”
With that appearance, he declared his new name.
It was my limit. It was too dazzling. I closed my eyes. But that brilliance couldn’t be blocked by my eyelids. Behind my completely dark eyelids, a deep, vivid light continued to pulse. Thanks to that, I wouldn’t be able to pass away so easily. Fafnir’s voice was loud and wonderfully bright. The poem he hummed had a faint melody, and it was as comforting as a lullaby for a dying soul.
“— ‘As the light that saves the world, I will now burn into hell’ —”
So that I, the cowardly and timid me, wouldn’t be afraid in the darkness, a bright light continued to illuminate the back of my eyelids. It was indistinguishable from the dawn sunlight. Into my void-like sky, a mystical light was pouring in. Ah… Again, I felt like I could let out a sigh. After walking a long road, surviving, I finally… realized that “Fafnir” had always been the light of my life…
“— Kugh, kukukukuku! I really made you wait, Kanami! Finally, your “True Knight” makes his appearance! Following the “Scripture” of my soul, I will save you! We will save you all!!”
And that “Fafnir” had now become a “True Knight.” For the boy mixed with ghosts, it might have been a casual declaration. But for us, it held great meaning. “Fafnir,” born from the ritual, was now entrusted to the next generation. The boy who admired me would carry on the path we walked, and connect it further into the future— Cousin, everyone… This was supposed to be the ending of the ritual you all desired… Without anyone running from the ritual, “Seldra” survived, changed the meaning of “Evil Dragon,” and spun a new fate… My “Lingering Desire” is fading… …… However, not yet… I understand, Glen. Unlike everyone else, our atonement begins now. We chose that path ourselves. From here on, it’s not someone else. Because we are us, we decided not to make it easy, and came this far. —It starts Here. Even if I become just a soul, and fall into hell. We will continue to emit vibrations from here, making it our home. Surely those vibrations will reach no one. Because ultimately, the living on the ground only choose the voices they want to hear. Nevertheless, I believe and continue to emit my signature vibrations. Maintaining the true “Magic,” “Dragon God Slayer.” In other words, Kanami… The “Eightieth Ordeal” is yet to come… The Magic Stone continues to scream. From within you. The “Blessing” of the dragon you wouldn’t let go of even in death… As long as the Hellfire exists, it will continue to tremble… Even if eaten… Even beyond dimensions… I will win against you… I will absolutely not give up… Because I… don’t have to give up anymore… Now… I finally… after “Adaptation” and “Escape”… I was able to find… what lies beyond… I am… inside… with my friends from a thousand years ago… I continue to scream… Listen, Kanami… To our true vibrations—
I apologize. I will be taking next week off. I wanted to at least finish the Seldra-Fafnir arc before taking a break, but I will be absent next week. I sincerely apologize again…
