After finishing my declaration, I took hold of the “Scripture.”
Kanami-san mimicked me, moving like a mirror. He dissolved the ice sword in his right hand back into magic particles and took out the “Rustiara Fuziaze’s Journal” from his “Inventory.”
Then, he flipped through the pages and began to read ahead.
“—Fafnir, I have already finished reading about what your true ‘Magic’ is.”
Perhaps it was because he understood the mechanics of “The Deal with the World.” By reading backward from the ending, he intended to dampen my declaration and ruin it.
As if damming a flow, Kanami-san began to reveal the secret of my “Magic.”
“Your mix with a Ghost is special, giving form to formless thoughts. That power can shape even the common perceptions and concepts held by humanity into reality. Temporarily, it can be called the creation of new ‘Principles’… In a bad way, it’s forcing your own rules.”
That’s right.
He had probably confirmed it beforehand with “Future Sight” and prepared a counter.
My life and “Magic” were being explained in detail.
“From now on, through that kind of ‘Scripture,’ you will become the ‘Great Savior.’ And eventually, you will bring down the ‘God of the Hibiki Teachings.’ The line from the legend I read in my childhood is the hope you’ve been searching for—what is called the ‘True Hero’ in modern times.”
This was also true.
Come to think of it, my life had been a continuous search for some convenient “Great Savior.”
However, I realized that simply searching for someone convenient would not save anyone.
Therefore, instead of waiting for someone convenient to descend, I decided to become it myself, and that’s how I arrived here.
“All the ‘Prices’ that humanity has prayed for concerning perceptions like ‘God,’ ‘Savior,’ and ‘Hero’ will be carried by your true ‘Magic.’ It will no doubt become an incredible power. It will transcend dimensions like swords and magic and strike me with power akin to a god—”
Kanami-san’s reading was perfect.
Rather, there was a high probability that he understood my “Magic” better than I did.
Even so, he showed no signs of complacency.
I could hear the sound of waves rushing.
A whirlpool was forming in the shallows at his feet.
“Honestly, it’s a little similar to my own ‘Ideal’ magic. I think it’s a really good magic… But, it’s precisely because of that, it won’t work on me. Because in a battle of impersonating a god, no one can defeat me.”
Kanami-san called the upcoming battle a “battle of impersonating a god.”
Then, all the “Purple Threads” in the shallows at his feet began to flow continuously towards Kanami-san.
They were transforming into a great vortex of magic.
“You had talent for pretense. But my skill, ‘Acting,’ is on another level. Since birth, I have only cultivated this ‘Innate Difference.’ I completed it at the ‘Price’ of family, childhood friends, and lovers. The numerical value now surpasses any ‘Status.’ —Let me tell you, I am at 46.21, and you are at 4.56.”
Warning me that it was on a different level, Kanami-san faced me like a mirror.
It seemed he intended to completely surpass my true “Magic.”
“Even among those who seek God, ‘Aikawa Uzunami’ far surpasses you. —Because I have become the true ‘God’ of this ‘Another World’.”
He even boldly declared victory.
The future where Kanami-san would win was already “Written,” and his tone suggested that no one could go against that flow. However, I shrugged at his misconception and replied.
“…Kuhaha, you talk too much, Kanami. But thanks to that, I understand very well that you and I are playing different roles. After all, what I’m aiming for now isn’t a god. In a way, I am the true Guardian of this ‘World’.”
I boldly declared that I would not follow the “Written” future.
I was confident.
Even if the future was decided by “Writing,” there were people who could change that flow.
I aspired to those people and had been faking it all along. I had come this far by trusting not in “god-like power” but in “power like that of the people I admired.”
Kanami-san was confused by my reply.
“Guardian? Why at this point, you’ve become a ‘Thief of Principles’…”
I thought it was truly like a “Thief of Principles” to ask so purely.
But, given our relationship, Kanami-san.
Since I already knew you were narrow-minded, I stopped my wry smile and decided to teach you, like a “friend.”
“Why? Seldra-san also asked me, but the answer is simple! It’s because you all have always been my admiration! I truly love you all who continued to do your best to help so many people, both now and a thousand years ago! I wanted to become like you, who I love so much!!”
“It’s true that the ‘Thief of Principles’ might have been desperate. But essentially, they are the weak. Weak, pitiful, unable to help anyone… not someone that strong people like you would admire from the start.”
My admiration was casually denied by Kanami-san, who was the most like a “Thief of Principles.”
Just like with Seldra-san, I thought the “Thief of Principles” had too low self-esteem.
I wish he would realize that being strong or weak doesn’t matter anymore.
What I like are people who try their best.
Especially, I like people who keep trying their best even when they are weak, and they are my admiration—I’ve been led to this point by this feeling.
“Kuhah, kuhahahaha, what do you think? I think you all are the strong ones in essence? …Which one of us is truly strong. Let me confirm that, and everything else, with my ‘Magic’.”
“…With that ‘Magic,’ nothing will change. It will never reach me. Frankly, it has bad compatibility with me.”
“Ah, I suspect mine has bad compatibility. Moreover, it probably won’t match at all… I understand. But, even so. Please let me do it. Please listen. I believe there is meaning in it.”
“…………”
Please listen.
Still, Kanami-san relies on attribute compatibility and numbers.
He is about to lose sight of the person in front of him with his “narrowness.”
He doesn’t see the person right beside him—I just learned the conclusion that awaits at the end of such a path.
As one who has gone ahead, I want to teach Kanami-san what I learned from my beloved Lorelei.
Through the “Incantation” of my own life—
“—’Reaching out to the sky, I cannot see the world’—”
I looked too much at the high and bright places, and overlooked the important person right next to me.
I died, and for a thousand years, until reaching the 99th floor, I didn’t even try to look at that important person.
“—’I walked relying on her voice. Touching the sky, in tune with the song of her soul’—”
Acknowledging my own life—but, not in vain—I now combine my “Incantation,” loudly and brightly, as if blessing it.
“—Magic,
I spoke my true “Magic” as I, who had continued to pretend, finally became the “real thing.”
And I raised my free right hand.
However, the magic did not emanate from that hand.
Where I raised my hand.
On the distant horizon, the orange light of the morning sky illuminating the 100th floor began to churn and swell rapidly.
This reddish-yellow light was not real light.
Basically, the 100th floor shows visitors whatever they imagine.
—In other words, this was an illusory light that only I could see.
As I raised my hand, that illusory orange light swelled and spread out in a fan shape.
It was dazzling. And beautiful.
No matter how dark the world was, no matter how many “Demons” died before me, the perception that only I could see since childhood was very bright and ethereal.
After confirming that, I then turned my hand towards Kanami-san.
At that, Kanami-san lowered his eyelids as if to hide his jet-black eyes, and squinted.
“――――!”
This is the beginning of the power of the Magic [Living Red Light]. First, I show the “illusion of my world” that only I can see to the one who reached out their hand.
Next, the image continues to expand endlessly, and the dazzling reddish light expands forever.
The orange of the dawn sky warmly colored the bright sky of the 100th floor, endlessly.
It was like the morning of a new day.
Now, the source of that orange light was not rising as a white sun from the distant horizon.
When my hand was held up, what rose was not a white sun.
Even as the source of the orange light crossed the horizon, it did not turn into white light.
—What rose was an impossibly huge, glowing red mist.
It began to spread across the sky above us, like rain clouds, illuminating all 100 floors.
The red light filled the sky.
This red light was special; it illuminated, dyed, and filled the hearts of those who saw it.
Therefore, if one continues to stare at it—
“Gurrrgh, aah—!”
“Aah, aaaaaah—!”
Kanami and I groaned at the same time and suddenly shed tears.
Looking at that red light, the blood in our bodies boiled.
Our hearts pounded, and our excitement could not be stopped. We felt an endless surge of hope for life.
Moreover, our longing for that red light became uncontrollable, and tears flowed uncontrollably.
In other words, this abnormal mental interference is given to both friend and foe indiscriminately, and that was the effect of my true Magic [Living Red Light].
“Ugh, aah… K, Kanami-san… How is it…? Are you having fun…?”
“Gu, uu, kuuuh…!”
Both Kanami and I looked pained and distressed—yet our eyes sparkled as we laughed.
Everyone finds life painful. It’s hard. But the Magic [Living Red Light], which forcibly changes the heart to believe that we will be saved someday and encourages us to do our best, is the ultimate and most wicked of mental manipulation magic. After all, anyone who receives this magic is, without exception, fundamentally changed in their heart. No matter how dark or negative one is, by giving them the same mental strength as me, they are made bright and positive.
In the best sense, it’s a magic of mental reinforcement. In the worst sense, it’s a magic that gives an extremely selfish salvation only to the mind, creating an imbalance with the body.
After receiving that magic, Kanami, like me, fell to his knees, shedding tears.
We groaned together, shed tears, and continued to feel a surge of hope for life. This red light magic does not allow living beings to harm themselves or despair. Suicide is out of the question. Even if any “Ordeal” awaits them in the future, they are told to overcome it and grow. It is magic that continues to force encouragement—but as Kanami bathed in that excessively dazzling light, he slowly raised his face.
Staring directly at my red light, with his eyelids opened to their limit, he spoke.
“—I was reading.”
His eyes, devoid of any light, sparkled as he gazed at me and smiled.
No matter how bright the light, I felt his obsidian pupils absorb it all. The “illusion of my world” reached the very depths of Kanami’s abyss—
“Fafnir, it’s a very dazzling and divine light… but I’ve seen a more beautiful light, shown to me by my daughter. A more terrifying and cold god-like being was my sister. More than anything, I know of something even more dazzling and divine. It’s 『Rustiara』. Even if it’s divine light, it can never compare to the radiance of the “true love” that 『Rustiara』 and I have nurtured together.”
Undoubtedly, my “Magic” had hit him directly. However, Kanami received it head-on, and his eyes fell to the ” 『Rustiara Fuziaze’s Diary』” in his hand. No, it would be more accurate to say that he turned his back to it and escaped into “constriction.” As warned beforehand, my “Magic” and Kanami’s compatibility were the worst.
“Yeah… I’m sorry, but mental interference won’t work on me right now… It’s simple. Compared to all the warmth in this world, 『Rustiara』 is warmer. Compared to all the beauty in this world, 『Rustiara』 is more beautiful. Everything in this world pales in comparison to 『Rustiara』. Even the gods in heaven can’t compare to 『Rustiara』 now. That’s what 『Rustiara』 has become in my world. —Fafnir, this much red light cannot overpower our “true love.”
As I had expected, Kanami’s mental state was completely dominated by 『Rustiara』. His excessively dark eyes absorbed all light.
“…Speaking of which, I’m the most forward-looking person in the world, without needing any magic to be so. Because my soul has been continuously moving towards 『Rustiara』 alone!”
Kanami stood up and shouted, overcoming the red light—no, by dyeing it with 『Rustiara』, he completely broke my [Living Red Light].
Facing Kanami, who wore a dry smile, I could only sneer.
“Kuhaha, Kuhahahaha…! As expected, it didn’t work, huh? My life was light, warm, and lax compared to other “Thieves of Principles.” But you know…”
But not yet. Unlike Kanami, who had stood up, I gazed down. I touched the shallow water spread on the ground—a shallow dyed by the red light, and continued my Magic Construction.
“…The shallow water is red? No, blood?”
Kanami noticed it. Blending in with the red light in the sky, he found blood spreading on the ground. The red light of my life was a decoy to hide that blood.
“Th-this is…”
“Ah, this is—”
Kanami looked at the shallow pool of blood spreading at his feet. Together with me, he murmured the name of the magic.
” “—Magic [Living Red]!” ”
Our voices matched. However, the tones were different. I said it lovingly. Kanami said it in surprise. He called out the name. Perhaps Kanami had the arrogance that the simultaneous use of true “Magic” could not be done by anyone other than oneself. However, I continued, boasting a little, “—I can too.”
” “—『I pierced my claws into the sky and tore the world apart』『Be amazed and look up. Now, from the sky I just ripped, I will shower you with a rain of blood』—” ”
I activated Hermina’s graveyard visit magic. Its effective range covered all 100 floors, including myself. In contrast to the red light in the sky, blood spread on the ground, engulfing Kanami. Now, from both heaven and earth, Kanami was sandwiched between true “Magic.” However, his obsidian eyes continued to hold firm, as if saying it was still not a problem.
“The real target is a double magic…? Power gained where I wasn’t looking, where I can’t see…? This is good “Magic Combat,” but it’s also mental interference magic. It won’t work on me right now…!”
“Kanami-san, it’s not double. Because our true “Magic” will never overlap. We were on completely different paths, performing different magics… But that’s precisely why! That’s why we wanted to combine them! We have always wished for it! Isn’t that right!? [Lorelei]!! [Neil Lorelei] sang in hell that they wanted to combine them! Sing that song again!! Just once more, let me hear your magic!! —Ah, beautiful and pitiful ephemeral [Lorelei]!!”
I shouted. However, upon hearing that name, Kanami was confused.
“Lo, Lorelei? That’s your—”
It wasn’t my name. It became her name while you were fighting Seldra. And now, because we are constantly together, I placed my hand on my chest and began to pray.
Now, I don’t have my own heart. But we have our heart.
—Inside my chest, there are three of us.
Ah.
There were three people in that underground room.
To “recite” the life of this [Neil Lorelai] – !
” – Even if I send my voice to the sky, I won’t be saved by the world – ”
Still kneeling, I cried and turned my face to the red light.
While reciting and thinking of her life, I wished for it to align with my own life, and recited.
” – Let’s pray, stained with blood. Now, bathed in the rain of blood, I resonate the song of my soul – ”
I have already used two true “magic”.
I connect the third, the real one, to it.
Magic never overlaps.
It didn’t overlap.
But, having crossed hell, in this “lowest level,” now –
Magic continues, like a round.
The name that concludes those red “magic” is –
” – Magic [Song of the Living Red Light] ”
I called out to the one I loved.
Just as its “incantation” and name say, it becomes a song-magic.
From somewhere, a song began to be heard, ” – Hey. Why was I born? “. However, like my and Helmina’s “magic,” that singing voice was also an illusion.
– First, Lorelai’s song begins to echo from my side to the 100th floor.
Then, anyone who hears that phantom melody will invariably hear another auditory hallucination.
” – … [Neil]. Your light has now reached me. You will save the cult leader, won’t you? The “misfortune” and “bad luck” that appeared in our world that day, the weakest person of all – ”
I, who activated her true “magic,” am spoken to by my beloved [Lorelai].
It is the voice of the dead.
Her [Song of the Living Red Light] was also, like Helmina’s, a grave-visiting magic.
However, its effect differs greatly.
Helmina’s distinct voice reaches me all the way to this “lowest level.”
“Fafnir, do your best for me… Carry everything Fanian entrusted to you, and illuminate Helvishein more and more. So it reaches our hell, Helmina’s hell – more, more, more – !”
I am encouraged.
The auditory hallucination heard was not a curse unique to the dead.
Helmina’s magic [Living Red] made me hear a curse that swells guilt.
However, Lorelai’s magic [Song of the Living Red Light] instead makes me hear a blessing that eases guilt.
Of course, neither is “real.” It’s not from the soul.
It’s just an auditory hallucination convenient for those who are alive.
However, I would never consider it mere illusory magic.
Its true value lies elsewhere.
Surely, it’s magic that, even knowing it’s an auditory hallucination, makes you believe it –
“Hah, hah… Kanami-san… Can you hear it too…? Whether it’s a curse or a blessing, please choose whichever you prefer…”
“This… Ugh!!”
Kanami also hears it and groans.
Of course, the person he hears is probably different from me.
However, like me, he is undoubtedly being encouraged by someone close to him or loved by him.
“Kuuu…! N-No way…! Wrong…!!”
Kanami contorts his face and raises his voice.
Even though he’s used to illusions, it seems this is his first experience being caught between a curse and a blessing from the dead.
Thanks to that, it seems to be finally working.
By unleashing three true “magic” spells, the mind-interfering magic is finally starting to work on Kanami.
Immediately, I intensify the magic towards the suffering Kanami, preparing to follow up.
The magic power necessary for that, I will pay as a “price” of life,重ねて.
” – Extending my hand to the sky, I cannot see the world. I walked relying on a beloved voice. Now, matching the song of my soul, I touch the sky – ”
” – Digging my claws into the sky, I tore through the world. Look up in awe. Now, from the sky where flesh was torn, I rain blood – ”
” – Even if I send my voice to the sky, I won’t be saved by the world. Let’s pray, stained with blood. Now, bathed in the rain of blood, I resonate the song of my soul – ”
The three “incantations” were similar.
The “incantations” of the [Thieves of the Law of Blood] lack the third phrase uniformly.
This is because they try to connect the third phrase to a different “incantation” by wishing for it to do so.
Therefore, two phrases at a time, two phrases at a time, two phrases at a time.
Round and round.
It continues to repeat, endlessly, like a round.
I recite, then Helmina sings, then Lorelai sings, so I recite, then Helmina sings, then Lorelai sings, I recite – repeating infinitely.
That was the true “incantation” of the [Thieves of the Law of Blood].
“Ku, aaah…!! A-Arti…? I can hear Arti’s voice… the voice is an auditory hallucination…!”
” – Now, bathed in the rain of blood, I resonate the song of my soul – ‘Extending my hand to the sky, I cannot see the world’ – ‘I walked relying on a beloved voice. Now, matching the song of my soul – Ugh, ugh…!’ ”
Midway through the “incantation,” I also groaned.
The power of the three-連 “magic” by the [Thieves of the Law of Blood] is more than sufficient.
However, the problem lies elsewhere.
In any case, the burden on my body is tremendous.
Originally, even one “magic” requires one to give their all, body and soul.
Furthermore, this is a self-destructive “magic” that affects allies and enemies alike.
Although I have been entrusted with two “magic stones” from Seldra, which has significantly reduced the burden, maintaining three “magic” spells is already a struggle. No, my patched-up body is in a state where it could collapse at any moment, exceeding its limits.
But not yet.
I will not give up.
Because I can still hear auditory hallucinations –
” – [Neil] – ” ” – Fafnir, you – ”
“Aahh!! Yes!! But what’s the current situation…! That’s why I’m going to do my best from here…! Even so, I will continue to do my best!! I ammmmmmm – !!”
From the many auditory hallucinations, I choose the most convenient voice and rouse myself, saying, “Rather, it’s from here.”
More. Don’t stop the round with just three. More, more, more!
Isn’t it my role to connect them further?! Shout!
“Can you hear me, Glen!! I’m here too!! Right now, as planned, I’ve reached the 100th floor!! But it’s more unplanned than planned!! Thanks to you pushing me, the two of us couldn’t have reached here! This is the state of things!! Kugh, kuahahahahaha!!”
I call out to a companion of the current era, not of a thousand years ago.
According to the plan, Glen and I were supposed to cooperate on the 100th floor and begin persuading Kanami together. However, there are not two people here now.
I alone, already three people.
It exceeds the initial plan. Thanks to you – !
“So, Glen!! You too! Continue with the magic [Song of the Living Red Light] right now!! For a time, you were also a [Thief of Principles], weren’t you!? That’s why, led by the fourth [Black Threads], I have come this far!! Glen, please, for our future, I beg you!! Pull us more strongly – !!!”
I wish.
I want to connect our three true “magic” spells to the next stage.
If there is a thread that can connect them, it should be black, which we created, not white, red, or purple.
And if your power can reach us, not just four-連 “magic,” but much, much more –
“Connect me to Seldra! Connect us with your power! Together with Seldra, I want to amplify the vibrations of everyone inside Kanami with the [Evil Dragon’s Roar]! Amplify everyone’s vibrations!! So much that the cracked mirror shatters!! More, more, more vibrationssssssssssssssss – !!!”
If it were according to Kanami’s “plan,” it would have been just Glen and me here right now.
But it’s different now.
Thanks to Glen and Seldra surviving, things have shifted.
Even though those two are dead and only spirits, I believe they are watching over us, encouraging us. That’s what I believe—
““—Magic [Crimson Dragon that Kills Immortals]—””
A hallucination. There’s no way Glen and Seldra’s voices could overlap so conveniently.
But I will continue to believe. I strongly believe that Glen and Seldra, even as spirits, have spun these voices from hell to cheer me on. As I believe this more strongly, I feel another “Magic” of the white rainbow, supporting me, and a change appears in Kanami’s body.
As if his blood vessels were about to bulge, “Black Threads” instantly spread all over his body.
“This is, Seldra…!? Seldra’s modified Hidaki nerve technique!? The demon stone of the “Thief of Nothingness” inside me moved on its own—!”
At this moment, Glen, the acting former “Thief of the Law of Blood,”’s true “Magic” was unleashed from within Kanami. However, Kanami didn’t seem to fully understand it.
Therefore, I couldn’t stop it. Immediately, the “Black Threads” pulsed. They began to transport bodily fluids, not as nerves but as wing veins, throbbing insistently. With Seldra’s demon stone as its heart, they began to transfuse a different kind of blood into Kanami’s body. Of course, it wasn’t just any blood. It was well-prepared. A poison that surpassed even the “God-Killing Poison” of a thousand years ago. Blood stained with the modern “Poison for Killing Immortals”—
“……Guh!?”
Kanami groans, but the “Black Threads” continue to pulse mercilessly. And, as if to grant my wish, they tremble. Like a magic tool’s loudspeaker utilizing the terrestrial “Lines,” the wing veins vibrate and amplify our “Magic” in response. However, the amplified vibrations were silent. More accurately, I couldn’t hear them; they were vibrations that only Kanami could perceive as a hallucination—
“This voice, is it, Seldra…? G-Glen…? No way… This can’t be happening… –!”
Even though it’s silent, the overwhelming volume must be directly resonating within Kanami. The amplification by the “Black Threads” shows no signs of stopping.
“Aid, Titty…!? W-Why…! Everyone…! Please, stop… It’s my fault… Everything is my fault, so I should be the one to suffer the most…!”
First, it seems to be the vibrations of the two who were close to Seldra. Connecting to them, it spreads further.
“No…! Nosfy, Hidaki…, it’s not like that! I’ll work hard until I die, to make up for everyone who died, and save “Rustiara”! That’s the “Best”!! …G-Go away. GO AWAY, RAGUNE, YOU’VE BEEN TALKING NON-STOP!! WHY DO *I* HAVE TO KEEP A PROMISE WITH YOU!? SHUT UP—!!!!”
The vibrations from his family weakened Kanami. However, with Ragune Kaikuola’s vibration, he quickly became violent again.
I laugh at how effective the magic is. I taunt him while gasping for breath.
“Haa, haa…, haha! You can hear Lord Ragune’s gospel too, Kanami!! I can hear it too! ‘Is that suspicious guy who’s like Kanami’s older brother, our god? What a nightmarish story! Please stop it, it’s annoying!’”
“Kuhh, guhhh…! This is, magical interference… The ‘Magic that makes you hear voices you don’t want to hear’ is making me hear blessings, not just curses… only—!”
As expected of Kanami. He has completely seen through the unique effect of the overlapping “Magic.” Even though he knows all he hears are hallucinations not connected to souls—he continues to suffer deeply.
“N-No… It’s no good, everyone…!”
Why does he suffer even knowing they are hallucinations? Kanami, who has witnessed them as mirrors of everyone, understands, “What everyone would say to Kanami if they were here right now.” —He understands that the “Blessings” in the hallucinations are identical to the true “Blessings,” not differing by a single word. The fact that he has mastered “Future Sight” and “Past Sight” is also a contributing factor. Simply put, Kanami has read too deeply into everyone’s lives. That’s why the hallucinations, which should have been “fake,” feel like “real,” causing him more suffering than anyone else. Kanami, assuming everyone is watching over him, continues to tremble, become flustered, and offer excuses. Then, after much indecision, he finally can’t take it anymore—
“N-Nosfy…. R-Right now, the “Poison” of Fafnir and the others is dangerous… It’s dangerous, so… with my sister, in my “Inventory”…, because I’m “Older Brother”…, okay—”
Kanami succumbed to the “Magic.” He thrust his arm into his own chest and evacuated Nosfy Fuziaze’s demon stone, the “Thief of the Principles of Light,” along with the “Rustiara Fuziaze’s Journal,” into his “Inventory.” The dangerous “Poison” he referred to was likely Glen’s “Poison for Killing Immortals.” His words suggested he feared its effects—but I, who was once his subordinate, one of the “Three Knights of the Banner,” can tell. I can feel it from that connection. Right now, the strongest vibration is undoubtedly from his former master, Nosfy. The “Thief of Principles” who is most doting towards Kanami is, more than anyone else, worrying about Kanami and tormenting him gently. I am happy and laugh at Kanami’s weakness, unable to fully accept Nosfy’s kindness.
“Kuhaha! You took it out yourself! That proves you’re convinced the hallucinations you’re hearing now aren’t voices from their souls! —Or is that really true!? If you’re the one entrusted with everyone’s souls, wouldn’t the voices from their souls still be connected!? I, who returned from hell, guarantee it! Everyone’s blessings, carried on Seldra’s “Dragon’s Roar,” will surely reach you across dimensions!!”
“Inside the “Inventory,” I am completely shielded by the dimensional wall! My soul is cut off from you—”
“Being cut off from your soul is hardly important! That’s what Seldra taught us earlier! We can connect even without demon stones, Kanami! Because everyone loves you!! If you think about it for a second, you’d realize there’s no way the voice of Nosfy-sama, who loves you, would be cut off just because you put it in your “Inventory,” right!? Right, Kanami!!”
“…………!! E-Even so! It’s useless, Fafnir! This ridiculous battle will end soon! I’ve experienced unstable states like this many times… I’ve learned many times how to deal with it… Ah, I’m used to it. Just this much, just this much, just this much…, kuh, ugh…!”
He claims to be used to it, but Kanami’s body, having extracted another demon stone, was clearly malfunctioning. Even if he organizes his emotions with a mental stabilization skill like “Covenant Holder of the Deepest Part,” his emotions are repeatedly thrown into disarray by the constant voices. His limbs, which could be called “Semi-Magic,” flicker, and their boundaries waver repeatedly. It is definitely working. His body, already unstable from the ritual, was physically damaged by Seldra. From there, I added mental damage. He removed three important demon stones from his body: “Dark,” “Earth,” and “Light.” —Right now, Kanami’s “Semi-Magic” body had begun to crumble. The boundary between his living flesh and his “Semi-Magic” was wavering, looking patched like my own body. And from the gaps in that boundary, a dark purple demonic power, thick as blood, gushed out. The cause is the overflow of the vessel for the “Demonic Poison.” It’s likely beyond its capacity. Kanami, possessing “Demonic Poison” beyond Level 99, has reduced his vessel by three demon stones. Because of this, his body, exceeding its limits, has begun to transform. It’s “Demonization.” The leaking, potent demonic power solidifies like scabs, sealing the wounds that are the gaps.
However, Kanami was trying to control it.
As he said he was “studying” earlier, he began to support it with an “Incantation.”
“—Tsu, ‘Criminals who steal the principles of the moon die twice.’ ‘Because they are great sinners whose sins cannot be atoned by a single death’—”
Red flesh, like a “Blood Doll,” emerged like bubbles on his right arm, peeking out from the sleeve of his black robe, filling the gaps.
Furthermore, the red flesh stuck like skin. It became a “surface” that shone like a mirror for a moment—and then immediately changed into fish scales. In some places, it had become animal fur or feathers. His left arm had transformed into a foreleg resembling a reptile’s.
This ghastly appearance, compensating for what was lacking with monster parts, was the same as Glen’s in his final moments. It was supposed to be a Demon’s last resort when their death was near—
“—’Ah, I am the convict.’ ‘Thief of the Principles of the Moon’—”
Kanami’s body, as a “monster,” felt natural, and stabilized as if this were its true form.
Earlier, I described it as “Demon Regression,” but for “Thieves of Principles,” “Half-corpse” would be more accurate.
Then, when I considered what kind of monster Kanami was a “Half-corpse” of, the image of “Blood Beasts” came to mind.
I provisionally formed a hypothesis.
Kanami might be a mixed-breed of the ancient monster “Chimera.”
“Hah, hah… For me, ‘Half-corpse’ isn’t much of a risk… Thanks to Hidaki, I’m used to this state. More importantly, unlike the ‘Half-Magic’ body I had up until now, this one is completely for combat… Hahaha.”
With the characteristics of a Chimera, Kanami spread both arms confidently.
Indeed, his being accustomed to it did not seem to be a lie.
Delving deeper into the analysis, it felt similar to the mixed-breed “Person” of [Lorelei]. Perhaps Kanami had experienced something similar to Fanian’s atrocious experiments from a thousand years ago—just as my curiosity was about to form another hypothesis, Kanami’s form wavered.
He vanished like a mirage, only to be swinging his monstrous dual arms right in front of me.
Instinctively, I retreated far back.
He was significantly faster than before.
If I hadn’t moved according to the principles of “Swordsmanship,” my magic stone would have been easily snatched away.
“Guh—!”
“It’s you who will be in trouble if I stop avoiding battles…! If I abandon convoluted Dimensional Magic and stop caring about appearances, no one can defeat me…! I’m already used to your magic too!”
There was no doubt that as his magic stone decreased, Kanami grew stronger.
He had likely completely given up on resolving “Lingering Desire” through discussion or invalidating the match through brainwashing. The “Purple Thread” and the giant vortex that had formed at his feet were now gone.
He had abandoned support magic like “Dimension,” which was unsuitable for battle, and was concentrating solely on offense.
With just that, Kanami was incomparably stronger than before.
Kanami had a bad habit of holding back his full power, considering his opponent, whenever he had any leeway.
All his other fatal flaws were gone, and I was completely on the defensive.
Continuing to retreat, I shouted.
“Ah, I know that! Kanami is stronger when he’s not at ease! Which means, he was always convoluted and obsessed with appearances, and damn weak!! You’ve been like that for a thousand years! Yet, it’s precisely because you were born weak that everyone entrusted you with their hopes! I, who was born strong and thus never entrusted with anything, admired you! So, that’s not you getting stronger—”
“That doesn’t matter anymore…! What’s important in this battle now is that you’re swaying, Fafnir!”
With the claws of his monstrous foreleg, he pointed at my trembling knee.
By the time I reached this point, my body was already on the verge of collapse.
And from there, to individually use and maintain the “Magic” of multiple true “Magic” users.
As Kanami said, I was already—
“I’m at my limit. You’ve become empty from overusing the “Magic” of the convoluted “Thief of the Law of Blood”… But, I’m different. I can still fight.”
He pointed this out and Kanami looked up.
There lay the biggest difference between us.
“As long as the ‘Final Festival’ continues on the ground, I will be supplied with an infinite amount of ‘Demonic Poison.’ And if I’m just fighting without regard for appearances, I don’t need complicated Dimensional Magic. By twisting the faucet that is myself, I can continue to use basic attribute magic—”
From a distance, Kanami raised his arm.
This was bad.
In close combat, I had the advantage thanks to “Swordsmanship.”
However, as if saying he would “no longer play along,” Kanami swung one arm at mid-range.
Magic was unleashed.
“—Magic 《Freeze》”
The most basic of ice magic, “Freeze.”
Of course, with Kanami using it now, it was on a different level.
With a swing of his arm, the surrounding temperature plummeted as if the season had changed. Frost formed on my hair tips and eyelashes, and my limbs began to freeze from the core. Even the intangible temperature of my mind was being frozen by the power of “Stillness” from the “Principles of Water.”
Immediately, I changed my “Thief of the Logic of Darkness” black sword into a dark, light armor to block mental interference.
But the moment Kanami “saw” my defense, his “Half-corpse” form advanced further.
It ignited.
Flames erupted from Kanami’s left shoulder to his back. It was a burning half-wing mixed with a翠-green color. A rare monster characteristic, but likely a Flame Fairy—just as I recalled this from my old knowledge, he swung his arm again.
“—Magic 《Flame》”
Flames expanded like a tsunami, filling my vision.
From the previous ice magic, it was a tremendous temperature difference. Furthermore, this was also “Oblivion’s” flame, which never disappeared. However, for me at this moment, the simple attribute matchup of dark and fire was the worst.
With the light of the flames, my dark power visibly decayed.
Hurriedly, I changed the armor I wore to crystal, made by Rowen Aleis, the “One Who Steals Earthly Principles,” and tried to protect myself and the “scripture” with its thick, “[Unbreakable]” armor.
“—Magic 《Winde》”
However, what followed was wind magic.
Kanami’s fiery wings, which had sprouted from his back, had somehow changed into bird-like wings. While flapping what appeared to be a Harpy’s wings, he swung his arm again.
After fire, wind enveloped me.
Then, cracks began to appear in the crystal of the “One Who Steals Earthly Principles.”
Knowing that its true nature was forced self-destruction due to the “Self-lost” of the “Ruling King,” I hastily retreated far back and had no choice but to concentrate on defense.
However, at the distance I created, countless tree roots crawled out from under my feet like earthworms, trying to entangle my legs as if searching for a “dependency.”
“Damn it—!”
I kept dodging those spells, but the rapid and diverse barrage of magic was overwhelming.
The rough and simple basic magic, each felt heavy and troublesome.
Kanami had truly stopped relying on convoluted support magic.
Judging my condition and distance, without thinking, he unleashed appropriate attack magic, relying on his immense magic power.
It was overwhelmingly strong.
For me, it was the “worst” possible scenario.
I could feel the “worst” ending rapidly approaching.
“—’I walked guided by a beloved voice. Now, in time with the soul’s song, I touch the sky.’ —”
But it didn’t matter.
Towards that “worst” ending, just like the person I admired, I would continue to maintain my “Magic.”
The song of crimson light would continue to vibrate.
Until I break through Kanami’s “narrowing” pretense of not hearing—
