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The Orbit of the Sparkling Comet
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Immediately after witnessing the fall of the Schwarzschild Household, Yustin returned to the cliff above through teleportation magic. The one who returned was unconscious. That means Anfan delivered only Yustin to the ground during the fall. Even that cold-blooded father sacrificed himself to save his son at the end… Even Anfan did that.
This is what a parent-child relationship should be. So, what about Father? He once even told me to kill him.
“Yustin-san!” (Shia)
Shia noticed the wound on Yustin’s cheek and immediately rushed over to heal him. It seemed there was a hole in his cheek. It might leave a scar.
“Good grief, has it finally come to an end…?” (Salamander)
The fire lizard Salamander popped up from my shoulder.
Come to think of it, has this guy been clinging to my shoulder all this time? She acts quite arrogantly, but is she actually more of a chicken than we imagined?
“Seriously, your shoulder is the worst place to sit. Put me back on Shia’s shoulder already.” (Salamander)
Her mouth really was quite arrogant.
Shia had rushed to the edge of the large hole to tend to Yustin. The red-black circular ring of Rhizomata Volga floating above the massive hole naturally caught my eye. It was still spinning continuously.
What should we do about that? I mean, what can you do with such a mass of magical power? Could it really be a disk that rewrites the past or the laws of causality? It doesn’t look like that, though―――.
“The corpse of Emped may crawl back up eventually. We should seal Rhizomata Volga while we have the chance.” (Sylphid)
The floating Sylphid-sama noticed my gaze and urged me. Her voice seemed calmer than when Emped had appeared earlier. It might be that she felt a bit relieved with no enemy to fight. I felt the same way.
But even if we’re sealing it, how do we do that? Using the Volga I have on hand? I have no knowledge of magic, so I’ve never even heard of sealing magic. I can’t use the kind of magic an ordinary person would use, and with my magic power at zero, I doubt I could do anything besides creating Volcanic Volga. I should just leave that to the sages, right?
――――Just as I was starting to leave it up to others after overcoming the peak.
However, I sensed that red-black mana. The presence of heavy dark clouds. The battle was not over yet. Below the spinning circular rings, a sinister aura was rising from the bottomless pit. Shia was there, tending to the unconscious Yustin.
“Shia! Quickly bring Yustin over here!” (Jack)
“……? Yes!” (Shia)
Upon hearing that, Shia supported Yustin under his arms and dragged him back. Then, together with me, they carried him as far away from the edge of the cliff as possible. He was the child his father risked his life to protect. We couldn’t let him be taken away again.
I may not like Anfan, but Yustin is a precious friend.
While carrying Yustin a distance away, I felt my right arm throbbing. The familiar red-black linear pattern crawling along my right arm. However, the “red” was blinking like a danger signal. It wasn’t just my imagination. That red-black chaos… it was the vortex of magical power that had swung me around many times before.
“―――It’s more of a sacred thing, but it’s dangerous mana.” (Jack)
The red-black magic stone that changed my fate in the Gala Ruins. The thing swirling inside that mana stone was the same as what swirled in the core of Rhizomata Volga’s circular rings. Tristan had realized it.
The source of the dangerous mana used in Rhizomata Volga was… the mana possessed by the Goddess Kea. The weapon Rhizomata Volga created through a contract with a God… was the god actually a Goddess?
Kea Tur de Dau… she knew about “this”. She knew about Emped’s existence. Could it be that she had left me alone for so long to make this happen? Thinking this way makes me feel like my amnesia was part of Kea’s scheme.
…No, that might be overthinking it. I have no idea what that Goddess is thinking. In any case, once everything is over safely, I will definitely return to the Rauda continent. And I will go see Kea. No, I will go see my father, Isaiah.
…No, first, I will go see Alfred and Lindsay. Though I’ve spent so long dawdling here, there are many things I want to do at this very moment.
―――Once again, the ground trembled.
Now is not the time for that. What just fell was Anfan and the corpse of Emped. They were trying to return from the bottom of the abyss once more.
“…Emped is coming!” (Sylphid)
At that call, an enormous, swollen corpse appeared.
The ghost still continued to absorb the mana released from Rhizomata Volga. It was already a different entity from the puppet that had swayed just a moment ago. It no longer even retained a humanoid shape. The body had swollen beyond that of the giant race. Its two legs had fused together, forming a tail fin. It looked like a fat seal. From its back sprouted multiple large antennae resembling wings, and its skin drifted with pitch-black magical energy.
And in the chest area, the remains of the middle-aged mage… the final fate of Anfan were fused and hung forward in a stooped posture. The decayed black skin had merged, and black muddy bodily fluids dripped down its beautiful silver hair.
“Anfan…!” (Jack)
Part of his facial features remained. If that was his death face, it would be very cruel to show it to Yustin. If a parent’s death face looked like that, it would surely be horrifying… Especially if he had turned into that form in exchange for his life. I was glad Yustin was unconscious.
“It seems he has absorbed the ‘modern magic’ of that great mage and powered up…” (Sylphid)
Sylphid-sama was sweating cold and staring in astonishment at that monstrous form. Even the spirits fear this monster. The grotesqueness of its appearance is one thing, but its abilities are unpredictable. We should seal it as soon as possible. Let’s cover up the stinky thing.
“Then, let’s seal it quickly―――――” (Jack)
The moment I turned to say that, black dust swirled up between Sylphid-sama and me. Immediately after, an explosion sounded right in front of me.
“Whoa!” (Jack)
“Kyaah!” (Shia)
Looking up, that abomination was pointing one arm toward me. Black mana was swirling around it.
Had it unleashed some magic…?
Just as I wondered that, the swirling black mana in its arm intensified. At the same time, a black magic bullet erupted from its palm. The trajectory of that bullet was aimed at Shia and Yustin.
*Bam, bam, bam*
“Ah… that was close…!” (Jack)
I activated Time Control to accelerate and dove to push the two of them away. We rolled together. However, there was no time to catch our breath, as a follow-up attack was coming. I jumped in front of Shia and Yustin against the approaching black mass. Here, I would play the tank role. The defense of these two was far too weak.
I hastily pulled out the red-black replica sword I had created and slashed at it with all my might. With one slash, the black magic bullet exploded, and at the same time, my sword shattered into pieces.
“Wha―――” (Jack)
One magic bullet per disposable replica sword. The energy of that attack was too strong, as if the strengths were in a standoff. While theirs was rapid-fire (Gatling), mine was only a single sword attack. The replicas couldn’t keep up…! At last, the black magic bullet struck me directly.
“Voo… Voo… Voo…!” (Emped)
The monster looking down at me from far above seemed to enjoy the scene, laughing like a child who had found a toy. It was as if it was playing with a doll in madness.
There seemed to be no hint of intelligence. The shell, drained of soul and magic, bore no semblance of the wisdom of the ancient great magician. All that was left was a childlike curiosity that reveled in play.
“Vooou… Vooou…” (Emped)
Yet, I didn’t particularly feel any damage.
“………?” (Jack)
I suddenly looked at my right arm. A steam-like mist was faintly rising, and the black mana had been nullified by touching my right arm.
“Oh, I see.”
“You are a wielder of magical power existing in the imaginary dimension.” (Kea)
I had the power to nullify magic thanks to the goddess Kea. It seemed that the “new magic” Anfan mentioned couldn’t be nullified, so I was reminded of the fear of magic, but if it was that kind of magic, I could negate it.
That means I shouldn’t be too afraid of the magic bullets Emped unleashes?
“Bo, Bo, Guoou!?” (Emped)
Dissatisfied that I didn’t provide the expected reaction as a plaything, the infant-like monster was sowing discontent and anger.
And once again, it charged black mana from the Rhizomata Volga floating behind it.
Wait, that black mana…
I recalled the days of adventure on the Rivarda Continent in the corners of my memory. The Giant G that exploded with anti-magic bullets from Insignia Arms. The Black Corpses that exploded just by breaking their armor with a straight punch. And the Behemoth that appeared in the Lecure Great Forest… All of them were cloaked in black mana.
“―――Behemoth is said to be the greatest masterpiece created by the gods.” (Shia)
“Oh…” (Jack)
I remembered everything. In this continent, the so-called “God” referred to the Goddess Kea. And those monstrous creatures, wrapped in black mana, had all been obliterated.
That means…
“Voo…” (Emped)
The corpse of Emped had finished charging. It began to wrap black mana around its arm, aiming at me. Then, without mercy, that black mass was unleashed. I fired an anti-mana bullet at it, perfectly obliterating that black sludge. I managed to make it disappear…!
“I can do this…!” (Jack)
This was no time for sealing. That thing could be defeated. As I gained that conviction, I charged at the monster. I closed in as much as possible and fired the anti-mana bullet directly at the monster.
“OOOOOOOOO!!!” (Emped)
However, Emped evaded that bullet with unprecedented speed. That instantaneous movement was both impressive and annoying.
“Damn it, hit already!”
I fired the anti-mana bullet from Insignia Arms again and again. However, Emped continued to dodge with unpredictable, instantaneous movements.
“Voo… Voo… Voo…” (Emped)
It seemed to be enjoying itself. As if it had found a new game to play. It was infuriating. Jumping to hit it directly would be the quickest way, but even with a run-up, I wouldn’t be able to reach it as it was too high. Looking back, I should have asked Gnome-sama to change me back to “Thread Fist” instead of “Insignia.” That way, I might have been able to reach it with the power of flight.
This is why I hate floating enemies.
“Lost-san!” (Shia)
Just as I thought that, I heard a voice from behind and remembered the girl who excelled at this.
“Let’s not try to bear everything alone.” (Shia)
She understood me well. My bad habit was trying to do everything by myself. In her arms was the Aerial Volga, the bow imbued with that mysterious power.
—
“Damn it, why do I have to do this…?” (Salamander)
“You’ve been watching until now, so it should be fine. You have a responsibility as a spirit.” (Sylphid)
“Even so, being the decoy doesn’t suit me…” (Salamander)
During our preparations, the two wise spirits would become the decoys. Sylphid-sama and Salamander took on humanoid forms and created crystals of wind and masses of fire, respectively. Salamander seemed dissatisfied, but while grumbling, she would fulfill her role.
The two unleashed their magic, swaying toward Emped. Emped seemed to follow them with interest. Noticing Sylphid-sama and Salamander’s presence, it prepared to unleash a barrage of black magic bullets toward them.
“It’s coming!” (Sylphid)
“Damn it… Emped has changed drastically in just a thousand years!” (Salamander)
The two spirits scattered to draw Emped’s attention and continued to flee. Confirming their forms, I turned back toward Shia. There were countless points I needed to reflect on from this battle. However, it seemed like Shia had been cleaning up after me. I had unknowingly continued to assist Anfan. I was the one who had undone all the seals with the fake Volcanic Volga. I was also the one who had fallen into the trap during the battle with the rampaging Anfan.
Looking back, it was filled with uncool moments.
“Shia… this battle was…” (Jack)
“What is it?” (Shia)
She tilted her head with a puzzled expression, just like when we first met. Despite her face being covered in soot and dirt from the repeated battles, her flowing blue hair sparkled as it swayed against her movements.
“It was all my mistakes… that’s why it ended up like this, and that――!?” (Jack)
Her little index finger gently pressed against my lips, stopping my words. Slowly, that finger moved to her own lips. Despite the situation, I was captivated by her gesture.
And with her finger still raised, she smiled at me.
“That is just a figment of your imagination.” (Shia)
Shia Randall smiled brightly. It was an angelic smile. I felt my cheeks flush.
“………” (Jack)
“When it comes to monsters, let’s complement each other’s weaknesses.” (Shia)
“Ah, yeah…!” (Jack)
I’m not perfect. No matter how much I’m seen as a hero from now on, I will continue to make mistakes… But I felt that this girl would accept my shortcomings.
“Then, let’s go settle the final score.” (Lost)
“Yes.” (Shia)
I pulled my weapon from the ground. It was the result of countless training and stored images. What I pulled out was a “needle”, so thin that it could no longer be called a sword, even thinner than a rapier. That needle was adorned with twisted red-black lines.
It was the “Demon-Banishing Arrow” imbued with anti-mana power.
“This… can you shoot it?” (Lost)
“If it’s Aerial Volga… probably.” (Shia)
“Probably?!?” (Lost)
“I mean, it’s pretty close to definitely.” (Shia)
She said something worrying, but it somewhat eased my tension. I gripped the needle sword tightly, stood behind Shia, and placed my hand against her Aerial Volga. Then, her small white hand grasped mine. Shia’s left hand held the leather grip of Aerial Volga, while my left hand rested on it. My right hand held the hilt of the red-black needle, and Shia’s right hand pulled back the bowstring.
“Okay…!?” (Lost)
Together, we would create that “surefire fatal arrow”. She would become the sure-hitting bow, and I would become the fatal arrow.
“Yes…!” (Shia)
“Here we go…!!” (Lost)
――――Release.
And thus, the strongest arrow was fired. The target was the corpse of Emped, the very essence of the distorted black mana. That target was currently in the process of charging black mana. It was absorbing the magic power it had lost to the spirits three times from Volga. A mysterious arrow aimed and accelerated toward it.
The released Demon-Banishing Arrow was enhanced by Air Pressure Control and the power of Volga, increasing its power. The roaring sound accompanied the fierce wind.
The red-black comet soared through the air, tracing an emerald trajectory!
“Voo… Vooou………… Voo…?” (Emped)
Emped noticed its presence.
Just before being hit, it dodged at the last moment. However, that mysterious arrow was a sure-hitting arrow. It arched widely and changed its trajectory, closing in on Emped once more.
Come on…!
Unaware of the living arrow approaching from behind, Emped was struck directly.
“Vooou!” (Emped)
As that voice overlapped, Emped and Rhizomata Volga, which had been connected by the black magic, came to a halt.
*Bam…! *
A loud explosion echoed. It exploded. The corpse of Emped, as well as the mana at the center of the circular ring… The black monster and the red-black chaos were obliterated by the surefire fatal Demon-Banishing Arrow created by Shia and me.
“…We did it.” (Jack)
“Yes, it’s over…” (Shia)
“We did itーーーー!” (Jack)
The dispersed corpse and mana fell apart and rained down. It looked like a massive amount of black soot.
“…Ha, ha… haah…” (Jack)
Just as I felt a sense of accomplishment, my body became heavy. The endless battle and extreme tension had apparently pushed my body to its limit. The fatigue weighed down on me like the effects of gravity magic.
I turned my face toward the girl next to me, sharing in our success. However, it seemed Shia was in worse condition than I was. As if she had been like that from the beginning, she quietly collapsed onto the ground and fell asleep. Her small breaths and peaceful sleeping face were something I wanted to protect forever.
But it wasn’t me who had protected Shia this time. It was the gift from her parents, the mysterious power Aerial Volga that the archaeologists had continued to pursue. Thanks to that, she had avenged her parents and achieved victory. The longbow she had used lay comfortably against her back. And the Volga, which had lost its power and returned to a mere wooden tube, rolled over to rest against Shia Randall’s stomach. That scene resembled a parent and child sleeping side by side.
—
―――As the battle ended, dawn arrived.
I gazed at Shia’s sleeping face and Yustin’s sleeping face, giving up on sleep. If I collapsed along with these two, it would surely trouble the two spirits.
“Until we go home, this is a labyrinth picnic…” (Jack)
I muttered to myself, mustering my trembling body and carrying Shia on my back. The morning sun shining into the collapsed Azalea Castle was like a holy light illuminating the dark clouds.
A gift from the heavens… the glory of victory. It could be said to be the true dawn that had come to this Azarigrad, once called a labyrinth. The adventurers who had lost their foundation for living would surely have a tough time ahead… but well, I probably wouldn’t be able to take care of them that much.
Among the rubble, I carried Shia on my back, while Sylphid-sama and Salamander carried Yustin, struggling as we walked over the fallen debris.
*Clink*
“Hm?” (Jack)
When I turned around, there lay a small, blackened circular ring (chakram) that had lost its power.
Rhizomata Volga… a compass that rewrites the laws of causality in the world.
It reflected the morning sun, shining silver…
(End of Act 2: “The Sage and the Labyrinth”)
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