episode_0129

The aftermath concluded without anything particularly eventful.

Except for the fact that the Master of the Magic Tower, in his last throes of resistance, created a large-scale attack magic circle encompassing the entire Magic Kingdom, and that I cleaved it with a single strike.

And also, despite that, the Magic Tower Master, not giving up, as a final, desperate act, unleashed several chimeras within the collapsing Magic Tower.

And then, that Baekryeon, Seollin, and Baekho together killed them all.

These minor things did occur, but since it ended safely, it shouldn’t matter.

“First of all… thank you for resolving this matter wonderfully, Hero Leon.”

“Spare me the platitudes. More importantly, what happened to him?”

“Firstly… we sealed his magic, subdued him, and imprisoned him.”

“Is that sufficient? He strengthened his body to the extreme.”

At my question, the Headmaster nodded.

“It is sufficient. We used sealing magic to restrain him, so he won’t be able to escape easily. Most of all, with his magic sealed…”

“I see.”

“My close friend… to commit such deeds…”

I learned later, but the Master of the Eternal Magic Tower and Headmaster Allrpia,

these two seemed to have been quite close.

That’s why the Headmaster was so angry when I destroyed the Magic Tower, and why he was saddest when his deeds were revealed and he made his final desperate act.

“So, the cause was the Black Dawn Society after all?”

“Yes. That is correct. Furthermore… their unique magical pattern was detected within the Magic Tower as well.”

The reason he secretly kidnapped people was to find a vessel for the witch I met, Tammiell.

As she said back then, Tammiell herself was active through a vessel, and as that vessel reached its limit, he happened to come into contact with her. The contract involved him providing vessels for Tammiell in exchange for being allowed to join the Black Dawn Society.

“Since you’ve resolved the incident, all that remains is for you to use the gate.”

“Well… I suppose so.”

“…Before that, may I ask for one favor?”

“You’re asking for a lot of favors, aren’t you?”

When I reacted lukewarmly, he bowed his head and said.

“Please. The favor I ask is nothing significant. Simply… give one last lecture before you leave.”

“A last lecture?…”

I already lectured the 1st and 2nd years, so it was the 3rd year’s turn now.

But, my main goal was finding the missing person, so I don’t need to do it….

“Do I have to?”

“Since that day, an ominous current has been flowing through the Magic Kingdom. The reason for this… I believe you already know.”

“…Is it because of that statement?”

‘What’s wrong with wanting to overcome death! You don’t understand!! The power of their knowledge!!! The depth of the knowledge she possesses!!! What we have built is nothing more than a small sandcastle built on the beach compared to that overwhelming, immense, and deep wisdom and power!!! You foolish ones!!!’

The near-shout he made before being subdued and taken away.

That was etched into the minds of everyone who witnessed the scene.

Just what level is it, that someone with the ability to build a magic tower would say such things? That sort of feeling.

So he wants me to break through that situation?

“…Fine, whatever. I don’t want to be backstabbed either.”

“Thank you.”

* * *

Because of the situation, not only the 3rd and 4th years, but also the 1st and 2nd years who had already received lectures, and all the teachers within Allrpia, were gathered.

This is the third time, so I don’t feel pressure.

Still, this is quite a lot.

“Some of you may have seen me before, and some may be seeing me for the first time. I am Hero Leon.”

Silence.

There could be several reasons for the silence…

“As you all know, the Master of the Eternal Magic Tower was arrested on charges of colluding with the Demon King’s army, the Black Dawn Society, kidnapping people, and engaging in unspeakably cruel experiments. I am not familiar with the laws of this Magic Kingdom, but I believe his life as a magician is over.”

Or not.

And even up to this point, the audience is silent.

When I lectured the 1st and 2nd years, I could still hear them talking amongst themselves…

Clearly, the Headmaster is right, the shock is quite significant.

“Are you afraid?”

I can feel a slight commotion at my question.

“As you know, I succeeded in killing one of the Demon King’s fragments. And… you may not believe it, but the Demon King’s fragment, the Heavenly Demon, was staying in the foreign land, the Yeom Kingdom, gathering his strength. The Heavenly Demon’s power was immense. Each time he swung his sword, thunder roared and mountains crumbled.”

And when I swung my sword, 2-3 mountains flew away, but I swallowed the rest.

“Fighting the Demon King’s fragments is like that. It means breaking common sense, transcending common sense, and grasping a single, faint light to oppose a mighty enemy who wields overwhelming absurdity. It is certainly hardship and suffering, but it is something that must be done.”

The more I talk, the more it sounds like I’m lying, is this okay?

The opponent breaks common sense and transcends common sense, but I was the one wielding overwhelming absurdity.

It’s fortunate that no one who experienced the Heavenly Demon War is here.

Otherwise, they would have all caught on to me lying.

“The Magic Tower Master said. The magical power and depth of the Black Dawn Society transcends common sense. But… so what?”

Resolutely and directly.

“Is the magical wisdom that your ancestors, the ancestors of your ancestors, the ancestors of your ancestors’ ancestors built up shallow? Is all the effort you are putting in here a lie? It isn’t. Even if the power seems insignificant when faced with the Demon King’s immense power, the culmination of your wisdom and efforts will surely shine its light. I have no doubt that those lights will gather to break through absurdity.”

So they can move forward.

So they don’t stab me in the back.

So they don’t do unnecessary, pointless things.

“If you wish to despair, I promise that I will shatter your despair, your absurdity.”

Please, seriously.

* * *

“So, everything here is finished?”

“Yes. Now we just need to move to the gate.”

After the speech ended.

I joined Baekryeon and the others and moved to use the gate.

“Are we really going straight to the Holy Kingdom now?”

“Yes. There’s nothing else to do, and nowhere else to stop by, so we’re going straight to the Holy Kingdom.”

I nodded at Lucy’s question.

“The Magic Kingdom was quite a fascinating place.”

“Yeah. It felt like my horizons were broadened.”

Baekryeon and Seollin shrugged their shoulders, saying they each enjoyed the place in their own way.

Baekho didn’t say anything, but he said he found this place stuffy in the first place, so he’d be happy to leave.

And Leviyah…

“…”

“?”

…For some reason, she hasn’t been able to meet my gaze since that day.

When I ask her why, she says it’s nothing.

‘…Could it be that?!’

Is it because of that promise to protect her as long as she’s within reach of my sword? I’m sure I said it to Baekryeon and Seollin, but I don’t remember saying it to Leviyah.

Did I make up a promise and say that? Am I getting suspected of having used these lines to flirt with girls often?….

“That’s not good…”

“Hero?”

I need the luck Leviyah possesses to meet the witch Tammiell again.

Above all, that mirror world… I don’t know what kind of place it is, but it won’t be ordinary…

“Haa. Let’s go to the Holy Kingdom for now.”

There was a time when I was also thinking about that.

“…What is this?”

I used the Magic Kingdom’s gate to teleport to the closest location to the Holy Kingdom.

I was walking for a while, decided to set up camp, and was finishing the preparations…

After that, I remember it was night, and everyone went to sleep.

“This place… is similar to where I first met the Holy Sword Makina?…”

Did Makina call me?

“Makina? Is that you? Did you call me?”

I called out, but there was no answer.

Sensing something strange, I frowned and looked around, when I saw a pair of white hands covering my eyes.

“Guess who?♥”

“…Lucy?”

I thought it would be Makina, but surprisingly, the owner of the voice that I heard was Lucy.

Why is Lucy here?

“Did you forget already? I’m a hybrid of a vampire and a succubus, you know. Entering the Hero’s dream world is easy… well, not really, but possible.”

“A dream world…? So? Why did you suddenly use your succubus powers to enter my dream?”

I grabbed the hands covering my eyes, pulled them away, and turned around.

There, I saw Lucy wearing a red dress instead of a black nun’s habit that revealed her legs.

“That outfit?”

“It’s my appearance when I use my vampire powers. Does it suit me?”

“Uh… it suits you.”

Should I say it’s fluttery?

Should I say the dress itself is alive?

Lucy, wearing a red dress that looks like it was carefully crafted stitch by stitch using blood as thread, quietly smiled and said.

“It’s been a while since I tasted blood, so I can’t control my excitement.”

“Blood…? I heard there were some missing people among the magicians of the Magic Tower. Was that your doing?”

“Hmm~ It is, but. They’re bad people who colluded with the Demon King’s army anyway, so isn’t it okay?”

“…Haa.”

What can I do about what’s already happened.

“So? What business do you have, coming into my dream?”

“Oh my. Haven’t I already told you?”

“Am I supposed to believe that?”

“Hmm~ It’s true, but. Well, that was just one of the many reasons.”

Saying that, Lucy wore an unreadable expression and said.

“Hero. Don’t you want to return to your original world?”