episode_0083

Demonic energy.

It is the fundamental power of the cultists.

Normally, demonic energy is refined to generate black magic, which is its common use.

However, among the members of Baobab, there were also those who overlaid demonic energy in unconventional ways.

Beings who combined demonic energy with their own talents to cause disaster.

Performance, song, painting, depiction, etc.

It is a power manifested by only a very few.

The Church refers to such individuals as Katasto.

It means “disaster” in ancient language.

‘The Conductor.’

They were considered the most prominent Katasto in the original story.

One might say the term “disaster” truly suited them.

Indeed, they caused numerous casualties.

Once one fell under the spell of the Conductor’s melody, their essence would become corrupted by demonic energy from which they could never escape.

It was a transformation similar in principle to becoming a chimera.

“Screech!”

Corruption, too, was a concept akin to chimeras.

Once changed, it could not be undone.

For a broken vessel cannot be restored.

Of course, it wasn’t as if there was no method at all.

I had ‘Lie’.

It was possible to do as I did when I restored Anne.

However, it was merely a theoretical possibility, quite far from a realistic option.

Ultimately, I didn’t have the capacity to save them.

“I’ll handle all of them.”

Even when restoring Anne, I had to expend nearly 60% of my output.

Roughly speaking, if we consider a healthy adult, the minimum output consumed would be over 80%.

If I saved one.

That would be the end.

‘Moreover.’

It was a situation where I desperately needed to conserve output.

To clear the Conductor’s stage and save the missing collaborator, I couldn’t afford to expend any more output than this.

Capture was also difficult since they weren’t confined in cages like the chimeras last time.

I had simply made the best choice.

I couldn’t save everyone.

It was a lesson I had learned over three years of fiercely surviving since possessing this body.

Life was never lighter than many lies.

“Screaming erupted!”

“Our God is with us!!!”

“Ugh!”

Therefore.

We had to press forward.

Slicing down the banners, once pure white, now stained black, one by one.

Taking the final breaths of the poor lambs who had turned their backs on God.

“Move the remaining survivors outside. Have Lena take them to the hospital quickly.”

Of course, death wasn’t everything.

Scattered across the blood-soaked floor were still some people who hadn’t transformed.

These were the fortunate ones who had escaped the ‘melody’s’ range.

Most were unconscious and seriously injured, but the company members calmly continued their rescue efforts.

Such exceptional situations also existed.

“In the case of young children, even if they’re corrupted, they don’t display violence. There are only about ten of them, so we’ll restrain them separately and take them back to headquarters. Treatment can be done gradually over time.”

“Understood, Master.”

I hoped that at least the children would survive.

It was a cold world when adults gave up on other adults, but the moment adults gave up on children, everything in the world turned to trash.

My world still seemed closer to winter than a landfill.

Leaving behind the crimson-black snowfield scenery, we crossed the endless corridor.

“The front is clear.”

Irene was the most active in the chaotic battle.

With flames swirling around her, the girl systematically dealt with the priests surging from the front.

She faithfully carried out my instructions.

Whenever she turned to look at me, I had to pat her head.

As a sign that she was doing well enough.

“The front is cleared.”

“Well done.”

“……There’s no need to pat my head even in this situation, you know?”

The fox-girl furrowed her brow as if asking what I was doing in the middle of a mission.

But contrary to her prickly response, the orange tail visible behind her back wagged gently.

Perhaps realizing she couldn’t hide her true feelings.

Irene subtly avoided my gaze and gripped her sword once more.

Clang! Scrape! Thud!

The battle continued.

Not long after, we finally reached the end of the corridor.

A humble door appeared before our eyes.

“Haa, haa… Is it over once we get past here?”

The fox-girl panted heavily.

As I approached the door, I firmly shook my head at her question.

What was about to happen from here on was crucial.

If we made any mistake here, this cathedral, along with the surrounding city, could all be in danger.

That’s why I had been conserving my output until now.

“You cannot pass beyond this point carelessly.”

I stopped the company members who were reaching for the door.

Beyond this point was hell.

The Conductor’s concert would be waiting for us.

This was the boss stage area in the original story.

Because it was a space where a dreadful melody continuously played, entry was difficult unless one possessed a mental-type passive skill.

I briefly glanced at the company members standing beside me.

“Hmm.”

Neria, Irene, Lena, and others.

They were all excellent individuals, but they weren’t suitable for this stage.

Taking them along would only be detrimental.

They might suddenly turn and attack their allies.

And yet.

It was impossible for me to block the mental attacks for them.

Of course, it would be possible if I consumed ‘Lie’, but considering the dangers awaiting beyond that door, wasting output on trivial matters was not a good choice.

I paused, rubbing my chin, feigning a troubled expression.

It was meant for someone to see.

“This is problematic.”

While there were many strong-willed people, not many possessed a mental barrier.

It was a skill given innately.

I clicked my tongue in frustration and muttered to myself.

“I wish there was someone who could enter with me.”

I subtly glanced backward from the corner of my eye.

At the end of my gaze, there was nothing but a wall obstructing my view.

As if feigning ignorance that no one was there.

I quietly smiled.

Then, I casually posed a question.

“I need someone with strong basic combat prowess, who isn’t easily swayed, and who possesses a mental barrier……”

Just then, there was a perfectly suitable candidate.

“What do you think, Your Highness?”

A single phrase aimed precisely at one direction.

Soon, perhaps realizing they had been discovered, the presence hiding in the corner revealed itself.

My gaze was drawn to her radiant platinum hair.

“……You knew.”

Her blue eyes blinked blankly.

Her blunt expression held a unique doll-like aura.

Her dazzling platinum hair proved the girl’s identity.

The First Imperial Princess, Charlotte Little von Staufen.

One of the main characters appearing in the original story.

She should have been at the academy at this time, yet for some reason, the girl had been tailing us since earlier.

I smiled sweetly at Charlotte before me.

“I didn’t expect to meet Your Highness in a place like this.”

“Yes. It’s nice to see you.”

The girl nodded.

There was no hint of surprise in her calm eyes.

Charlotte greeted me casually, just as she would at the academy.

It was I who was more flustered.

“You’re remarkably composed.”

“I was surprised. Very much.”

“Your reaction doesn’t convey that feeling at all.”

“Is that so…?”

Her expression genuinely conveyed a lack of understanding.

The girl tilted her head.

Perhaps because of her eccentric personality, she always veered off in unexpected directions.

After a brief pause, Charlotte was the one who asked a question this time.

“When did you know? That I was behind you.”

“At the basement stairs.”

“So you knew from the very beginning.”

“I regret it. The moment I heightened my senses, I inadvertently detected Your Highness nearby.”

“Yes, indeed. How regrettable.”

A few casual exchanges.

I set aside the small talk and brought up my previous question.

“So, what do you think? I’d like to hear your opinion.”

Charlotte, as it happened, was a person who possessed a mental barrier.

From the moment she was born, she had been innately protected under a unique imperial blessing.

Furthermore, her combat prowess was also top-tier.

‘She’s perfect.’

Originally, I had planned to go in alone, but having a companion would alleviate some of the burden.

It probably wasn’t a bad offer for Charlotte either.

After all, her purpose for being here was the same as mine.

An investigation into this incident, and the pursuit of the cultists.

Although their reasons for chasing them differed, they were looking towards similar objectives.

Especially since this matter would have been too difficult for her to resolve alone.

She would surely need help.

‘This will be a good opportunity.’

As it happened, the girl was in a desperate situation regarding the ‘Rose’ issue.

The fact that she was personally out in the field spoke volumes.

I had been planning to cast out a bait soon anyway, so I was delighted that such a suitable occasion had arisen.

It seemed I could significantly close the distance between us with this opportunity.

“……Alright. Let’s go together.”

After a brief moment of contemplation, Charlotte finally nodded.

We shook hands lightly.

Once a decision was made, there was no time for hesitation.

The countdown was still ticking away even at this very moment.

We performed only a brief equipment check before placing our hands on the grand door, which was covered in ominous patterns.

A chilling sensation spread to my fingertips.

“Let’s go.”

I opened the door.

A blinding crimson flash swallowed my vision.

We stepped across the threshold, our feet unwavering.

***

And so, we arrived at the boss stage.

We were faced with a bizarre sight.

“What is this…?”

A space where crimson-black blood surged like waves.

Amidst the endlessly stretching landscape, a vast sea filled only with blood awaited us.

Confronted by the immense spectacle, they couldn’t help but freeze.

A shrill whistle.

The melody, which had been faint until just now, now sounded so clear it was impossible to ignore.

It was a discord that felt as if it were tearing my ears.

Turning my head to follow the source of the sound, I saw a figure standing amidst the crimson-black mist.

It was playing a violin while standing in the middle of the sea of blood.

“……”

It was a familiar face.

As expected, she seemed to have fallen victim to the Conductor’s melody, her essence forgotten, her appearance corrupted.

I muttered, watching the woman continue her fierce performance.

“Miss Medro…”

She was the Archdeacon of the Church and the person in charge of the Liscit branch.

And at the same time, a collaborator of Astro.

She was the target that needed to be rescued in this mission.

As anticipated, the woman had become the Conductor’s puppet, waiting for an audience to arrive on this crimson stage.

Medro’s rolling pupils found us.

“Screech!”

The woman immediately let out a scream.

I maintained my composure, gathering ‘Lie’ at my fingertips.

Charlotte, too, drew her sword.

“Let’s give it a try.”

“Mhm.”

It was the curtain-raiser for a dreadful concert.