episode_0339

As soon as the etheric curtain crumbled, Tier was the first to rush forward. She immediately reached out towards Nari, but Nari’s body dissipated like a mirage.

“Wh… what is this…?”

“I’ve already divided the space. We’re facing each other like this… but we’re in different dimensions.”

“I… I don’t understand… that…!!”

“Stop it. It’s useless.”

This time, she extended her hands, imbuing them with magical power. Golden and purplish light flickered on each hand. She poured out light and dark mana without reservation, attempting to grab Nari by the scruff of her neck.

But again, Tier’s hands only stirred the empty air.

Thump—thump—

Even in her extremely agitated state, she managed to think. She didn’t understand what Nari was saying.

However, the scene before her eyes gradually came into focus. Fragments of the shattered space were scattered around Nari. It was odd that objects like the bed, vanity, and carpet were completely unaffected.

And beyond that… a universe filled with countless twinkling stars was visible. A breathtaking scene that could make one lose consciousness just by looking at it.

That was all. The deity’s gaze did not reach Tier. There was no reason to pay attention to a mere insignificant being like Tier, and Nari was enduring the magic that was pouring out from the ‘gate.’

“You… could have talked to me… why—!! Why are you leaving alone—!!”

“I knew this would happen. Even if we had talked, it would have ended the same.”

“That’s not what I mean… you liar… trash, traitor—!! You said we’d always be together… forever—!!”

Thud-

Even after pushing her mana to its limit, she couldn’t reach her. Nari was still before her eyes, but she was already gone. Tier collapsed to the ground and wept uncontrollably.

“Aaah… wwaaaah… hwaaa…”

Tears streamed down her cheeks incessantly. Her heart felt like it would tear apart, and seeing Nari not even flinch made her feel like a hole was ripped through her chest.

She truly felt betrayed.

Tier continued to pour out her mana. Veins bulged on her hand, and her eyes were bloodshot red. She reached out towards Nari, who remained out of reach.

“…Aspi. Stop her.”

“Your… Majesty…”

“It’s an order.”

“…Yes, I obey.”

Whack-

Aspi struck the back of Tier’s neck with the edge of her hand. Tier, already overly excited and losing consciousness, immediately fainted and collapsed into Aspi’s arms.

Nari’s gaze slowly moved. Lulu was sitting on the floor, weeping just like her. Her gaze passed over her.

And next to her was Nix, her eyes sparkling.

“You… can see me, it seems.”

“Yes, yes!! The universe, the stars, and some amazing gate… it’s so amazing!”

“Even though I might die?”

“It’s okay! If Nari dies, I’ll die too!”

Nari looked at the necklace around Nix’s neck. It was Nix’s physical medium and core, made of a high-grade spirit core.

And since that core belonged to Nari, it was as good as holding Nix’s life in her hands.

“Ah… that’s right.”

Nari reached out and relinquished ownership of the spirit core. The faintly connected thread of her soul snapped.

“I’m sorry for using you as a slave until now. You’re free now.”

“…”

Nix’s pupils widened, then began to move restlessly. The sound of her thinking echoed across dimensions, reaching Nari.

“The fact that I die if you die… hasn’t changed.”

“That kind of threat won’t stop me, Nix. Now that I know there’s a new world like this… there’s no way you’ll kill yourself.”

Nix’s pupils still nervously glanced behind Nari.

Her mind was a mess. New knowledge that shook her heart was before her, and yet Nari was still the one showing it to her. She incessantly agonized over the best choice, soon losing her grip on reality.

“C… can’t I go with you…?”

“No. Especially not you.”

“H… hiiing… hwaaaang…”

Nix also began to weep, shedding dark mist. Her human nature was too immature for her to make a decision and organize her thoughts.

Next, her gaze fell upon the maid kneeling respectfully.

Yuri, with unwavering eyes, held a sharp magic sword to her neck.

“I’ve never called Your Highness ‘master.’ You personally instructed me from a young age to not call you that.”

“…That’s right.”

“However, my title doesn’t change the fact that Your Highness is my master. I belong to Your Highness.”

Whoosh—

The blue dagger instantly dissipated. Yuri clasped her hands neatly on her lap.

“That… was just my wish to die with my master. How could I injure this precious body Your Highness saved?”

“I’m sorry.”

“At least… let me see you off.”

Swish-

And then she bowed her head. Occasionally her small back would twitch, and her sobs could be heard.

“Thank you for raising me. I’m sorry I couldn’t be more helpful. And… I only love you.”

“I feel the same—”

Nari, about to smile fondly at Yuri, suddenly widened her eyes.

Tssut- tsut-tsits-

I, clad in a soft white light, with pale blue hair flowing, placed my hand on the severed dimension and began to slowly enter it.

…

…

…

Thanks to Nari, I returned to my pure body before I began the infinite regression. The dangerous power that had been eating away at my body had completely vanished.

However, a dangerous power is still power. Regaining my memories was fortunate, but the fact that I had grown weaker remained unchanged.

Even though the magic had eroded my body, I had never relied on it. That unsettling energy only amplified all my strength; my foundation was the magic I had cultivated since the days I hunted with Adam.

Why did I delve into ice magic to its limits? It was to cooperate with him, who had been on the path of fire magic.

From the moment I started my second life, I never forgot that origin. Though my memories sometimes grew hazy, I relentlessly trained my magic. I also learned swordsmanship and martial arts.

Regression was a relationship of love and hate for me. It seized my heart, yet that pain made me strong.

“Better to be alive than dead,” Adam often said. It was literally better to not have the power to lead me to death. Because I, who was manipulated by the deity, eventually perished.

Therefore, I am still grateful. Now, it feels so refreshing. It’s similar to when I was addicted to drugs and then regained pure blood.

But doubts remain. If I’ve returned to the beginning, what am I now?

Have I lost my extremely honed body, skills, and magical power, becoming merely a ‘normal’ talented mage? Am I merely a ‘normal’ woman who, having connected with Nari too late, only receives her love and protection?

‘…I don’t want that.’

I approached Adam, who was seemingly perfect yet imperfect. My dream was to fill his shortcomings and stand side-by-side with him.

I approached Nari, who was perfect yet never stopped growing. Watching her constantly run, I felt as if my feet would never stop either.

I lost a lot, but the most important thing is still within me. It is a very old memory, an unchanging heart…

Whoooooosh—

An unyielding soul.

I don’t know exactly what happened. But at least, I can understand.

The techniques of Nari that I always practiced at the academy. The phantom sword I wielded while being manipulated by the god of Tenebris; it still remains in my memory.

Even if I have lost strength, I have not forgotten its subtleties. My unwavering resolve confirming my existence, firmly holding itself.

The gentle ether flowing from my body, proving I have finally stepped onto Nari’s shadow.

Tssut- tsut-tsits—!

Another dimension unfolded before my eyes. A world like the universe, full of magic. My senses, which have experienced Tenebris’ aura most closely, tell me this is true.

My palm, shoved into the dimension, ached. I endured a little longer, pushing it in, then pulled it out when I felt the limit.

“…Ugh.”

A burn-like wound appeared on my palm. Even with the ether surrounding me. The reason this outer dimension is safe is that Nari is blocking all the deity’s aura.

“Eve… you…”

“It’s still a bit difficult… but…”

“Stop, this is—”

Clang—

Yuri, understanding my intention, was the first to get up and take my other hand. She smiled as she looked at me. A very soft yet very strong smile.

The white light spread to Yuri. Our wills combined, our mana waves resonating.

Tszszsz—

I thrust my hand into the dimension again. Yuri did it with me. The burn was lighter this time, and I could push it in up to my wrist.

No more words were needed. Everyone who had been sitting rose and joined hands. The light enveloped us all.

The resonance of mana waves. I heard it was a concept devised by Ms. Lulu, truly a scholar dedicated to magic.

More than one person intertwines mana waves, sharing spells and magical power. There is only one medium.

Will.

Right now, we only earnestly desire one thing.

“We’ll… go together. Even if it’s hell.”

Clad in a great white aura, we moved towards the other dimension that Nari had opened.