I was overwhelmed by unknown magic.
The shallows of blood spread, and the moment I thought my feet were caught, my body began to sink, just like Fedelt earlier.
I tried to pull myself out in a hurry, but it was no use, as if I were stuck in a swamp.
Instantly, I froze the shallows of blood with an incantation-less “Ice” and put my strength into it.
Crushing the frozen red footholds, I leaped forward.
However, by that moment, the scenery had already changed.
Enveloped in red mist, I couldn’t even see the warehouses or ships. I was attacked by a sensation that made me unable to tell direction, let alone up or down, and I failed to land where I had leaped.
“——!”
I plunged both hands and feet into the bloody shallows.
Then, my body sank faster and deeper than before.
I tried to construct magic again, but before I could, pain shot through my limbs.
More than ten grotesque red arms, gripping with enough force to break my bones, extended from the blood shallows.
They were sinister enough to be called “Blood Arms.” All of them clung to my body, trying to drag me down. Furthermore, the more I came into contact with these “Blood Arms,” the more negative emotions were pounded into my head, making me lose consciousness.
I recognized the force trying to drag down not only my body but also my mind.
I had been restrained by Fafnir, the substitute “Thief of the Law of Blood,” with the same power at Fuziaze Castle on the Mainland before. If this continued, I would be stored in a pool of blood like Kanami’s Inventory.
However, my magic wouldn’t construct properly, as if it were nullified by “Magic Nullification.” I tried to cast a full-power magic with an incantation immediately, but before I could, my mouth was covered by a “Blood Arm.”
“Guh—!”
“—It’s useless. Once you sink, you won’t come back.”
Those were the words that signaled the end of the battle.
At the same time, the red mist surrounding me cleared away in an instant.
My vision opened, and I could survey the current situation of the port.
To my surprise, the bloody shallows had all disappeared, leaving only three pools of blood—the minimum required to drown me, Fedelt, and Queiger.
Swiftly, surely, overwhelmingly.
The three of us were grasped by the “Blood Arms” and dragged into the pools of blood.
Then, Kuuneru stood before me, looking down leisurely.
The tension and stiffness from before had vanished, replaced by a smile that suited her childlike appearance.
“Hehehe… So, this is how it is. It was me who cornered you at the port and got the chance to capture you. I wanted some pawns to use on the Mainland, but if it had been just the leader of the Seven Knights of Heaven, I would have been in trouble.”
The battle was over in an instant.
Moreover, it wasn’t us who were trying to capture someone, but Kuuneru’s side.
As if everything had been in the palm of her hand, she crouched down and placed her hand on my chin, unable to answer.
“Fedelt is good too… but you, Kanami, are the best. Just like the star magic you used on Diplakla, I’ve always liked collecting the world’s treasures like you.”
“—!”
I tried to resist, but my body and mouth wouldn’t move.
Kuuneru continued her declaration of victory towards me, struggling in the pool of blood.
“There’s no need to worry. It’s not the first time I’ve turned a righteous hero who came to defeat me into my ally. …Unlike Tiara, I don’t brainwash people with religion. I just make sure to have a contract signed and then we talk it over carefully.”
With that, Kuuneru stood up and turned her defenseless back to me.
Leaving the three of us sinking, she walked leisurely towards the pier.
She casually inspected the ships, “Which one should I choose?” as she walked, in this port at the corner of the Allied Nations—and further at the corner of the port.
Coming to the port was a trap, but it seemed she was going out to sea anyway.
More than that, for Kuuneru, an ambush by people like us was merely an incidental matter.
So, she paid us no further attention.
Ignoring the eyes and ears around her, she began to mutter to herself.
“…What’s wrong with a ‘world centered around me’? I made a formal transaction. The会長 said he would give me a world where the demons could be ‘at peace’… So, everything belongs to me. With the guarantee of Threads, the North-South Allied Nations, the Allied Nations, everything… From now on, I will unite and rule them all as one country. If that’s wrong, then everything is wrong from the start…”
She had already finished with us and was trying to focus on the next thing.
However, it didn’t seem like the previous exchange was entirely meaningless.
In the deserted port, Kuuneru moved while muttering resentfully.
It was then.
The moment she took her first step onto the port’s pier—
“—Huh?”
Kuuneru’s body leaned forward as if she had tripped.
From my sinking position, I could clearly see the cause.
Like us earlier, Kuuneru’s feet were caught.
However, what grabbed her were not “Blood Arms” but “Water Arms.”
Their shape was closer to monster tentacles than human arms.
Six of them emerged from the sea.
Catching Kuuneru off guard, the six “Water Arms” wrapped around her small body and grasped her.
It’s common knowledge among those with high academic performance at academies that most giant octopus-like monsters have eight legs. Where are the remaining two?
“—Water Magic, ‘Water Wire’.”
Using the remaining two legs, the caster of the “Water Arms” rose from the sea and answered the magic’s name afterward.
A red “Magic Stone Human” appeared.
The girl, clad in red hair and a completely red outfit, entangled seawater in the shape of ropes with magic.
She manipulated the seawater freely, just like Kuuneru manipulated blood.
She had undergone a “Demon Transformation” like us, exhibiting the characteristics of a giant octopus-like monster in both arms, thus gaining a racial benefit.
And as Kuuneru saw the girl’s appearance and magic, she uttered her name.
“…What? Rouge? Why—”
Why was she here?
Rouge, the representative of the North-South Allied Nations?
Her surprised face, so much so that her unspoken question could be heard, made it clear that she was not part of the “Plan.”
Kuuneru glared at the “Water Arms” gripping his legs.
Upon closer inspection, it wasn’t just ordinary water solidified into magical arms.
I’m skilled in water attribute magic myself and often use similar spells, so I can tell. The seawater in “Water Wire” was constantly flowing, increasing its strength and flexibility.
Rouge, controlling eight streams of water, spoke to the restrained Kuuneru.
“This is a surprise requested by Shia and Noir-chan… but personally, I was waiting to help you escape, Lord Kuuneru. That’s true. However—”
I had heard about this surprise from Glen, who was with Shia and Noir.
And, just like with Fedelt, I had asked her to “act based on the situation.”
Rouge, a “Magic Stone Human” who had been secretly listening at the port for a long time, offered stern words to Kuuneru, her benefactor.
“However, if Lord Kuuneru were alone… it would be the same as Viais a thousand years ago. It would take us further away from the ‘nation that doesn’t rely on a single king’ that Teacher Aid and Titty-nee-san aimed for… So, I’m sorry.”
She stated she couldn’t cooperate due to her beliefs.
However, Kuuneru seemed to have bigger issues.
Rouge’s presence here meant that members of the “North-South Allied Nations” were also present.
It was impossible for a person of her standing to be waiting for me alone—he shifted his attention from his friend before him, desperately gathering information for hidden ambushes in the surroundings.
But Rouge quickly shook her head.
“Not the ‘North-South Allied Nations.’ I will stop the ‘Demon’ as one who inherited the spirit from the Teacher. In the ‘paradise’ our siblings aimed for, if someone were to try to bear everything alone… they would surely stop them.”
Even though I had no connection to her, I could immediately tell that her crimson eyes held a trust placed upon her.
As if disliking those crimson eyes, Kuuneru, still restrained, met her gaze with his own red eyes.
“Rouge, there is no ‘paradise’… I told you how the old couple who passed on that spirit met their end. You, Rouge, who inherited the same blood, will eventually—”
He spoke respectfully, perhaps because she was a representative of the “North-South Allied Nations.”
He glanced at her softened arms from Rouge’s “Demon Reversal,” speaking with a tone of concern.
However, Rouge accepted his denial while pointing out the past Kuuneru was looking at through her own arms.
“Yes. I will likely meet that end. …Because, Lord Kuuneru’s words are always correct. And those eyes, always looking far ahead from on high, resemble those of the current Hero.”
“…”
If taken at face value, it could be interpreted as a compliment on his broad perspective. However, this was clearly a warning that Kuuneru was looking too much into the past, a thousand years ago.
After pointing out that he wasn’t seeing the person in front of him, Rouge lowered her head.
“That’s why, Lord Kuuneru… I’m sorry I didn’t realize it sooner. For a thousand years… you alone have remained a ‘Demon.’ Yet, we always talked about ‘Beastmen,’… and left you alone.”
“…”!
Being told he resembled Kanami and being worried about, Kuuneru’s eyes finally changed.
Up until now, no matter what words we threw at her, she had maintained her composure.
But now, facing Rouge, her acquaintance, the words finally seemed to pierce deep.
Kuuneru, flustered, lowered his gaze. No longer looking at Rouge before him, he began to plead for support from the king he believed in once more.
“…C-Cleaner-sama. You must hear the same curse as Elder Brother. The old couple who raised that King and Chancellor had their homeland burned, and they continue to curse the world even after death. That curse, now here—!”
The act itself became an “incantation,” and with just a prayer, blood oozed from her feet once more.
As if seeping into everything in this world, a pool of blood easily formed even on the pier.
She was likely trying to create another shallow blood pool.
Her prayer continued, as if connecting to the hell at the bottom of the earth. And then, as if a bag filled with flesh and blood burst, a large amount of bleeding erupted from her feet. It was a flood of bright red blood, attempting to dye and engulf not only the pier but the sea itself—
“Everyone cursed with resentment…! Saying they couldn’t forgive, saying it was painful! The curses of the dead, filled with resentment, envy, and suffering, will echo forever! As long as blood seeps into this land, it will never disappear—,…!?”
However, the flowing blood soon stopped.
It didn’t form “Blood Arms” like before, nor did a Blood Mist gather. It couldn’t engulf the sea with blood, and it ended with just a single pool of blood on the pier.
The meager amount of blood was likely unexpected for Kuuneru.
“C-Cleaner-chan…?”
He called out towards his feet.
Then, the blood pool trembled.
As if his throat was trembling, large ripples formed on the blood pool and the sea.
“—El-kun—, —I ask— of you—.”
At first, I thought I heard a phantom sound.
Then, I thought it resembled the vibrations of magic shouted by Snow-kun and the Apostles.
As a response to that cry from the heavens, another magical vibration traveled through the earth and was released through the blood as an exit.
Both Kuuneru and Rouge felt and received it with their bodies.
“…A, song? A song, now…?”
“Is this… Grandpa and Grandma…? No, it’s… a blessing for me?”
The two muttered their impressions of the vibration in confusion.
However, it was vastly different from me, who was half-submerged in blood.
After all, right now, I wasn’t hearing a song or a blessing—
“—At that time, El-kun. You too. Act based on the situation—.”
Was it due to the distance between us?
Did the conditions for hearing differ depending on the person?
I didn’t know.
But, certainly.
I felt the vibration of Comrade Glen’s request coming from underground.
The special vibrations deepened Kuuneru’s unease.
“Why…? You’re the one who made me uneasy…!? That’s just talk. I won’t be fooled… No. I don’t want to hear excuses from you, cleaning staff…!”
Finally.
I felt it loosen.
Kuuneru’s words and heart.
More importantly, the restraint of the ‘blood arm’ that had silenced my mouth weakened.
Immediately, as if pushed by the vibrations, I activated magic at my feet.
“–Ice! Wind!!”
Basic spells, but activated with all my might simultaneously.
Freezing the bottomless blood pool while scattering the wind, I kicked off the fragile, improvised footholds.
It was close to a magical rampage, and my skin, along with the ‘blood arm’, blew apart. But I managed to lift my sinking lower body. Then, in an awkward, forceful, crawling manner, I somehow escaped.
However, there was no time to catch my breath.
I immediately came out from behind the warehouse and walked towards the pier.
Dragging my aching body, panting but pretending to be strong.
I matched Rouge’s support against Kuuneru with the vibrations echoing in this land.
“Hah, hah… Princess Kuuneru, you asked for an additional curse… It seems the underground isn’t just curses. Hahaha… Those accumulated discrepancies are no laughing matter now, aren’t they?”
For some reason, when I mentioned the underground, I thought of Glen and Fafnir.
They had been irreplaceable comrades since Fuziaze Castle on the Mainland.
‘I feel those two went ahead of schedule.’
Hearing my forced laughter, Kuuneru bit her lip.
I had finally managed to crack Kuuneru’s poker face.
Then, as if to bless my efforts, a luminescence surpassing the sun shone from the rear left.
I thought it was festival fireworks, but from the distorted expression and voice of the girl before me, I quickly realized it was something else.
“The labyrinth…”
I kept my eyes on Kuuneru, but the direction was northeast.
A pillar of magical light seemed to have risen where the World Tree of the labyrinth once stood.
That light was taller and more divine than this World Tree, I felt it was the best of the day, even without seeing it.
Presumably, the Apostles resonated within the labyrinth and used the greatest Divine Magic in history.
With the light behind me like an ally, I slowly began to walk.
At my approach, Kuuneru could no longer maintain her distorted expression. Forcing herself to keep a calm expression, she spoke of the situation humorously.
“…Hehehe, it seems Lord Siddharuku was right. The cleaning staff abandoned the labyrinth management, so Noi-sama is hastily taking over… What is she planning if she angers those beloved Apostles, Dia-sama? Ahh…”
Her words, as if looking elsewhere, were likely due to her utilizing the blood at her feet.
She was the girl Fafnir called the most fitting for ‘Thief of the Law of Blood’.
Kuuneru, still restrained by “Water Wire,” unleashed her impressions of the entire ‘Final Festival’.
“Ah, honestly… Everywhere, the flow is messed up… But the Chairman was always strongest in times of crisis. She’s cool, shines, and always wins in the end. So, this is… just hesitating. But, now? Hesitating now? Hahaha, really, you… –”
It was a monologue not directed at anyone.
But I understood the meaning of her words. Though her direction differed from Fafnir and Diplakla, she was also a religious follower of Kanami.
And I felt I understood the meaning of that difference a little now.
However, I had no intention of showing sympathy with empathy.
I mimicked Rouge’s magic, which had achieved great results, to assist in the restraints. Though not in a tentacle-like shape, I solidified the moisture in the air to create ropes of flowing water.
“–Water Wire. In my opinion, both you and Kanami have discarded too much of your strengths. Clearly, you were more threatening when you lacked power. You should have known that by watching the ‘Thieves of Principles’. Unfitting power suppresses a person’s inherent strengths. What I feared and respected was the power a ‘weak person’ unleashed when they surpassed everything they were born with.”
In the first place, the original Kuuneru would not have had battle at the port as an option.
But Kanami had unleashed her powers as a ‘Vampire Race’.
With that power came greed, and a gap was created.
–Simply put, Kuuneru is now acting like an idiot by doing something unfamiliar.
As if she had no choice but to admit the criticism, she deflated her inflated fighting spirit. She dispelled her hostility towards me, her face showing exasperation at her own inadequacy, and nodded in agreement.
“…That’s right. We were weak from birth. That’s why we tried and tried and tried to become strong. The power we gained then is our greatest weapon… yet Chairman no longer believes in her own strength. Because she doesn’t believe in herself at all… I guess I was drawn into that flow, too. This.”
She self-deprecatingly remarked with a weak voice and a pitiable tone.
It seemed like a face I had never seen before.
It also felt like she was finally speaking her true feelings.
“Ah. I knew I’d become like this if I got close to Chairman… That’s why I faded everything over a thousand years… This way, I’ve only accumulated a thousand years. Hehehe.”
However, I couldn’t believe it immediately.
Leaving me in my doubt, Kuuneru shed her unfamiliar face, and her voice returned to that of the unfathomable ‘Vampire Race’ from before.
“Elmiraud, Rouge, Fedelt. This Kuuneru Chronicle acknowledges each of you as a once-in-a-decade talent. However, thirty years is not enough. I have experienced situations where I was almost killed by a trio of heroes about ten more times… It’s a familiar battle.”
Perhaps Kuuneru was someone who could be reasoned with.
And, with her echoing agreement, I let my guard down. As if aiming for that momentary lapse, she moved her ‘blood arm’.
From a single pool of blood that formed at my feet, about ten “blood arms” rapidly extended. However, their targets were not me or Rouge, nor the restraints of “Water Wire,” but their own bodies. They were made to grab every part of my body before pulling strongly. Strongly, until my limbs were torn away.
“What…!”
As if a doll had been twisted apart, both my arms and legs were severed from their roots. My head was meticulously torn from my torso, and blood splattered as if an overturned bucket. It was a too gruesome suicide. Kuuneru, with a calm face and an air of familiarity, carried it out precisely as described. My limbs scattered, falling into the pool of blood at my feet. Blood sprayed—and simultaneously, the red mist that had filled the port earlier also erupted. At first, I thought it had become magic particles. But this was no labyrinth. Kuuneru’s magic stone had not fallen. More importantly, there was no way she, who had lived for a thousand years, would choose death over something like this. By the time I reconsidered, the red mist that had just erupted was writhing like a monster and coming to life. Its volume was about that of a single woman. Furthermore, I confirmed with my own eyes that her dismembered body, which had fallen into the pool of blood earlier, had vanished.
So, the mist has a will…? Is this red mist Kuuneru? I don’t know the fine details, but has she transformed into the mist itself? Since she’s of the “Vampire Race,” I expected her to acquire the characteristics of an animal or monster that feeds on blood. However, with “Demonization,” which mocks such textbook thinking, Kuuneru took on the form of an elemental monster. For now, I want to call it “Mistification.” And I want to say it’s utterly unfair. It lacks any context, overturning all assumptions. However, in contrast to my astonishment, Rouge, who had been cornering Kuuneru with me on the other side, was remarkably calm. Had she already known? She calmly dissolved “Water Wire” and called out to the red mist.
“Lady Kuuneru, you are leaving?”
She asked with the certainty that Kuuneru was still on the pier. Kuuneru did not ignore her, causing the red mist to tremble and emit the same voice she had before.
“…A ship is just one option. I will take a safer path.”
“If you meet Noir-chan there, will you convey this message for me this time? …You don’t need to worry anymore. Even on separate paths, we will both do our best.”
Rouge asked her to deliver a message, as if she knew where Kuuneru was going. It seemed that from Kuuneru’s earlier monologue, she had perceived and understood more than I had.
“……… If the chairman was struggling with something as cheap as this…”
“We are struggling. Because Noir-chan is strong. She has more talent than I do, is a sore loser, and is incredibly persistent. Shiya-chi and Rai-chi are also with her. …Unlike you, Hero-sama, or Lady Kuuneru, Noir-chan will no longer fight alone.”
“………”
There was no reply. However, I felt the red mist falter, as if it had gasped. With the trump card of “Mistification” now, Kuuneru had regained the advantage. Nevertheless, she seemed far from “reassured” and felt anxious.
“It would be best to meet Hero-sama again and talk thoroughly. …Then, decide. Because I want to work with Lady Kuuneru again.”
Rouge’s words, intended to offer safety and see her off. There was no further reply. The red mist, having escaped the restraints of “Water Wire,” moved freely. It soared high into the sky and began to move like flowing clouds. And its speed was as fast as a beast. I realized from the beginning that Queiger’s legs were unnecessary, and I understood the multitude of tricks this girl named Kuuneru possessed—and more importantly, her caution and timidity. This is the “Vampire Race” that has deceived everyone else and survived for a thousand years. It is highly likely that she is hiding many other powers that overturn assumptions, such as “Mistification.” In other words, it may have been impossible to capture her from the start. For her, this contest was merely about “how many tricks she could save while fending us off.” However, even so. “Fleeing overseas by ship,” one of her tricks, was indeed prevented.
“…Haa. In a duel in the arena, I’m confident I could win.”
As the red mist disappeared from sight, I let out a sigh and a sour remark. However, the conditions of that competition would be too advantageous for me. On the other hand, under the realistic rules of this situation, it ends up like this. Next time, something more different… For example, should I suggest a competition of popularity, where we mutually manage theaters? As I was thinking about today’s revenge, a voice called out from behind me.
“Wh-what are you saying so casually, Lord Siddharuku! Wasn’t the problem that we shouldn’t let her escape!?”
It was Queiger, who had also escaped the pool of blood. Behind him stood Fedelt, who had likely been saved by her, and they glared at the trail of the departing red mist.
“The mist was unexpected… but it’s useless. I’ll contact her immediately via the ‘Magic Stone Line’ to stop her. Lady Rouge, will you cooperate?”
“Eh… yes. Ah, no, but…”
Fedelt, feeling this was his chance to shine, urged Rouge to cooperate. However, she made a troubled face and hesitated, as if to hide behind me. It had been a long time since I had received such a reaction and a request for help, so I quickly struck a pose and offered assistance.
“Let Princess Kuuneru go. …She is not much of a threat now that she knows she cannot control the ‘North-South Allied Nations’.”
I conveyed the end of the battle to Fedelt. Another reason was the change of heart of the “cleaner from the depths of the earth.” Considering all these factors, I stated my opinion as Elmiraud Siddharuku.
“Princess Kuuneru must have realized that there is no need to resist so desperately. …My goal was to make her aware of the ‘narrowing.’ Since I succeeded… she, being timid, will only run for self-preservation in the future.”
Her personality is indeed like that. However, Kuuneru-sama is a truly formidable person. If her guild still remains, she still has connections to other countries and more. She still has plenty of cards left to play, and we can’t let our guard down until she is restrained.
Our opinions clashed, and the air grew tense. Depending on our discussion, I might have to fight Queiger here. That’s how independent and pragmatic this man, Fedelt, is.
There’s only one thing that makes him unrealistic, though. It’s that he holds too many fantasies and yearnings for the girl named Kuuneru… If I voiced this, I might lose one of our precious allies.
Seeing the strained atmosphere, Rouge offered me a lifeline.
“Fedelt-sama, I feel the same way as Siddharuku-sama… I don’t think Kuuneru-sama will do anything reckless alone anymore.”
She is a Magic Stone Human, but also a representative of the North-South Allied Nations. Although she was Kuuneru’s puppet for a long time, she has significant influence precisely because of that. Riding on her words, I continued from where I left off.
“Princess Kuuneru’s heart was unfathomably and firmly closed. But there’s one thing I could read from the battle just now. —At the very end, she undoubtedly had the eyes of a maiden. So, I know where she fled. And I have a rough idea of what she’ll say there.”
Compared to Kuuneru, I’ve likely lost in most abilities. I felt that keenly in just these few minutes. However, I don’t believe I lost in everything. In our short exchange, I managed to get information from her that I couldn’t have otherwise.
She probably hasn’t realized it herself. But that’s how lovesickness works.
Ultimately, the girl named Kuuneru is similar to those “Thief of Principles”… She’s been a Demon for a thousand years, obsessively clinging to “security.” She’s remained a girl for a thousand years, unable to realize she can’t let go of her first love. —At least, that’s what I, of my own accord, believe.
The girl named Rouge behind me seemed to agree, showing a supportive expression towards my opinion.
However, Fedelt, who had become the minority in this discussion, looked unconvinced. As he continued to frown, I saw a large shadow approaching us from the distance behind him. It was heading straight towards us with beast-like speed. If it had arrived a little sooner, things might have turned out differently… That’s precisely why Kuuneru hurried and used her trump card, “Mistification,” to get away from here.
“So, there’s no need to rush. It’s only been about half a day since it started. From here on, we can discuss things thoroughly and proceed little by little. …First, let’s regroup with him and decide how to liven up this Final Festival. That’s undoubtedly the most effective approach for Kanami.”
Following my gaze and words, Fedelt turned around and spotted the approaching shadow. He seemed to realize that “he” I just mentioned was Apostle Diplakla, whom he respects. Seeing him accompanied by Sera, who had also transformed into her beast form, he let out a big sigh.
He conceded that we had overcome one hurdle and ceased his counterarguments towards me. He probably thought it was easier to win over those two close friends than the troublesome me. He immediately waved towards the approaching shadow and beckoned them over.
Rouge, behind me, also let out a big sigh, just like Fedelt. Then, she slowly reached into the pool of blood left on the pier. It seemed as if no magic power remained. However, she spoke with certainty, as if addressing someone beyond the blood, as a conclusion.
“Hero-sama, did you hear us? …We were all saved by you. We learned many things through Aid-sensei and Titty-oneesan. That’s why we will definitely return your kindness. We will give back the same words you gave us.”
Perhaps, due to her birth as a Magic Stone Human, she senses the “Threads” more than any of us. I refrained from speaking to the Dimension, but her words pushed me to follow.
“…Did you see? This victory is undoubtedly not solely due to our strength. It’s thanks to Kanami’s assistance. If Princess Kuuneru hadn’t been plagued by Kanami and had been at full strength, it would have been difficult for someone like us to even stir things up. …In other words, this is a consequence of her own actions. Take responsibility for proposing a “world without you” to someone who truly loved you. And reconsider your proposal. —The same goes for Rustiara Fuziaze, who made the same offer.”
From now on, many people, including Princess Kuuneru, will be heading towards Kanami. I intend to watch the scene unfold from the very back. Just imagining it makes me happy, and my crippled body feels lighter as I slowly start walking forward. From behind me, I could hear Rouge’s voice, speaking to someone else.
“…Yes, Noir-chan. Leave the surface to me. I will adapt anywhere, anytime. So, you can live your life to the fullest without any worries—”
Whether it was magic or something else, it was a clear prearranged signal. Undoubtedly, Kanami would have heard it through the Dimension and become aware of it. However, knowing this, Rouge continued to press her hands against the ground, praying as if she were a Revannist, wanting him to hear more and be aware of it. Towards the underground, not the heavens. Towards her friends, not a “God.” Following her wish for their safety and success, I also cast my thoughts.
Now, Kanami is in the Deepest Part of the Labyrinth. If Glen and Fafnir’s plan goes as intended, standing before him will be a single boy knight. Rainer Helvirshine, who continued to admire Kanami as his lord, should be leading everyone.
“Fufu, fuhaha…”
I can’t stop smiling just picturing Kanami’s expression in front of Rainer.
