episode_0084

A cacophony that seemed to ravage the eardrums. Following the unpleasantly echoing melody, the surface of the blood-filled water surged as if an earthquake had struck. Immediately after, it became a massive tsunami and swept over the coastline. We, who had been standing on the sand, flinched and retreated.

Rumble!

The ground trembled. As if trying to touch the sun in the sky, the dark crimson waves rose so high they were out of sight. The surging blood water was boiling furiously. As it contained a terrible concentration of demonic energy, it was no different from hydrochloric acid. For the moment it touched, one’s very existence would melt away.

“We must stop it.”

“Mhm.”

With a reply, Charlotte stepped forward. Charlotte gripped her sword with both hands, then took a step towards the surging tsunami. Not a trace of wavering was reflected in her clear pupils. As she concentrated mana at her fingertips. Soon, a brilliant aura of light burst forth from the blade.

“Cut.”

Her lips barely moved. Immediately after, following the slash drawn through the air, intense sword energy shot through the blood-red mist. A single flash of light collided head-on with the massive tsunami. And.

CRASH!!!

The surging wave shattered into countless pieces. The blood water scattered, turning into tiny foam. Only a few droplets closest to the shore fell onto our heads. As I protected myself by forming an umbrella with shadows, Charlotte, who had been avoiding the drizzle beside me, panted and spoke. Even with just one clash, it seemed she had expended a considerable amount of energy.

“This… my hand hurts.”

“The power is extraordinary.”

“I gave it my all, but all I could do was block it.”

Charlotte clenched and unclenched her tingling hand. Seeing the girl’s overwhelmed reaction, I mumbled as if troubled.

“It seems they used a lot of power to create it this time.”

The power surpassed expectations. The Conductor’s Thought-form. Originally, Charlotte should have easily suppressed it, but perhaps because it was its return after a long time, it seemed to have prepared thoroughly. It felt quite surprising. Using this much power would have been a burden for it too. Lost in thought, I spoke.

“It seems it will be a difficult fight.”

“Indeed.”

“Your Highness, are you alright?”

“No problem. More importantly, do you know anything? About these strange things happening now.”

“Well…”

I knew about the Conductor. Because I had encountered it to no end in the original story. Where its music lingers, nightmares become reality. The melody, covered in demonic energy, bewitches people, corrupts their very essence, and turns them into beings who can no longer embrace God. The victims simply become monsters, repeating slaughter and performance.

‘It wasn’t called the worst catastrophe for nothing.’

A skill optimized for massacre. Of course, it doesn’t start with such a massive scale from the beginning. It begins with a small seed.

‘Concert’

It’s a virtual space created by the Conductor. It traps several hosts inside. Then, it waits until they are sufficiently imbued with demonic energy. Once a complete mutation occurs, it unleashes them outside the domain. The ferocious melody spreads like a virus, laying waste to its surroundings. The cathedral where we currently were was no exception. It was like a ticking time bomb, ready to explode at any moment. If we failed to defeat the boss within the time limit, the demonic energy accumulated inside would run wild. At least one village would be easily swept away. No. Given that it seemed to have used more power than usual, it might even engulf surrounding villages this time. Considering the damage that would result, it absolutely had to be stopped.

‘The method is simple.’

The Conductor’s domain is maintained through its ‘Thought-form’. It’s easiest to think of it as the strongest host; most of the demonic energy aggregates around such a being and grows in size. In other words, it could be considered the heart of the Concert. Therefore, if the Thought-form is neutralized, the domain also loses its balance and collapses. I pointed to the woman visible ahead and spoke.

“First, we just need to subdue that person.”

“Easier said than done.”

“Would it be difficult?”

“Killing it might be barely possible.”

“Haha… Please bear with me. Despite how she looks, she’s someone who helped me in many ways.”

“I can’t help it. Capturing it alive is beyond my abilities.”

Charlotte shook her head. Then, as if something was odd, she tilted her head.

“Is there even a point in capturing her alive?”

“Hmm?”

“She’s been consumed by demonic energy. She’s already in an irreversible state, so why bother capturing her alive?”

“For now, please follow my instructions. You’ll understand soon enough.”

“Is that so… I’ll try for now.”

The girl fiddled with her sword. Perhaps it was because the impact of the first clash was stronger than expected. Charlotte was holding her aching wrist, but an opponent with crazed eyes wouldn’t take such circumstances into consideration. The woman standing in the middle of the sea continued her performance.

Squeal!

She placed the bow upon the string. Following the elegant gestures that followed, an unpleasantly jarring melody, impossible to listen to, echoed. Could such a terrible pitch truly come from a violin?

“It’s coming.”

Rumble!

Once again, the water’s surface surged. The furiously boiling blood water scattered in all directions. They slowly floated into the air, then solidified into the shape of sharp swords. Hundreds of blood swords glared at us. The sight of blood-red swords gathering above a blood-red sea, against a blood-red sky, was truly overwhelming. Nevertheless.

“……”

The girl exhaled a calm breath. An unwavering stance.

Slam!

She slammed the sword she was holding into the ground. As the blade plunged deep into the sand, Charlotte firmly gripped it and unleashed the mana within her body. An enchanting light sparkled above her blue eyes. With a surging aura behind her, her pale red lips recited an incantation. The incantation to unfold her domain.

“Sword, be dyed.”

-Charlotte Ryu Domain Swordsmanship Secret Art-

‘Ashen Garden’

Rumble!

Steel vines erupted from the ground, swirling around us and embracing us. The vines intertwined and cut through each other. Thus, a single massive landscape was created. A magnificently unfolding garden of roses. When Charlotte lightly twisted her sword, thousands of blade-petals fluttered. Immediately after, they shot forward, riding the incoming storm.

Roar!

The surging coastline. Their respective storms, advancing furiously, soon collided and fiercely intertwined. Blood and petals splattered everywhere.

“Haa…”

Amidst the fierce tearing sounds, she aimed her sword. In Charlotte’s once clear pupils, the image of the woman playing a discordant melody had now formed.

***

Charlotte, and the Conductor’s Thought-form. The battle continued fiercely. The Thought-form pushed forward with an overwhelming amount of demonic energy, and each time, Charlotte diffused the crisis with appropriate defenses or counterattacks. In particular, the waves would shake greatly whenever her sword energy struck from a distance.

“……”

I was observing the situation. I only played a minor supporting role in the battle, not attempting any direct attacks. For now, I intended to assess how much Charlotte had grown. Only when one has a clear understanding of the present can plans for the future be executed. Charlotte didn’t particularly object to my approach.

-I don’t intend to reveal your identity. You don’t seem like a bad person. -I’m just… curious about who you are.

Knowing about my power, she seemed to assume I would handle things myself. The girl simply focused on her own fight.

Clang! Grrrind! Thud!

The Conductor’s Thought-form. Charlotte was engaged in an evenly matched struggle. Originally, this enemy was supposed to appear around her second year, so the fact that she was matching it as a first-year was encouraging. Moreover, unlike the children whose growth I directly intervened in, Charlotte had developed entirely on her own, truly proving her talent as the greatest genius in the story. Of course.

‘Though that doesn’t mean she’s perfect.’

As she was still in her first year, there was a difference compared to the third-year Charlotte I remembered. Her swordsmanship still had room for further development. And her ultimate skill, ‘Ashen Garden,’ hadn’t yet gained its true color. It seemed time would resolve these aspects.

‘Because she’s a genius.’

At least regarding her growth, it seemed I didn’t need to worry. Of course, there was a complicated problem related to ‘Rose,’ but that was something I could easily resolve. I organized the situation in my mind. As I was lost in thought. Suddenly, Charlotte, who was standing ahead, stumbled. Judging by her kneeling on one knee, it seemed her stamina was running low. Disordered breaths escaped her lips.

“Haa, haa…”

The girl’s domain was half-destroyed. The sturdy garden was shattered, and the steel roses that had bloomed were broken. Perhaps due to a lack of mana, even the bushes looked withered. Charlotte caught her breath for a moment, then stared at me with an expressionless face.

“Sorry. This is my limit.”

So, subduing her was impossible after all? A declaration of surrender. I nodded.

“That was splendid, Your Highness.”

“If the goal was to kill, I think it would have been possible. But aiming for capture made it difficult.”

“It’s alright, you can just become stronger in the future.”

“You told me to buy time, didn’t you? Was this enough?”

“More than enough.”

“That’s a relief.”

Smiling faintly, Charlotte completely sat down. She didn’t seem particularly scared. No, perhaps it’s more accurate to say her emotions themselves felt faint. In many ways, she was a girl living in her own world. Leaving the exhausted princess behind, I took a step towards the Thought-form glaring at us. The woman still stood in the middle of the sea, playing her violin.

“Are you sure you’ll be alright? It’s not usually that troublesome.”

“No problem.”

“Mhm. With your power, it should be possible.”

“Even if the sea filled with demonic energy is troublesome, we can simply cross it in one go.”

“Is there anything I can do to help?”

“It would be good if you could distract it for just a moment.”

“Alright.”

“I’ll give the signal.”

I brought up a blue screen in the air. It was to check the remaining output.

Ding!

[Current Output Remaining: 82.7%]

It was a comfortable amount. I, who had been lightly stretching my fingers, immediately spoke a word to the girl. A signal to determine the timing for her to step forward.

“Now.”

“Mhm.”

Swish.

Charlotte re-gripped the sword she had dropped. She closed her eyelids as if concentrating for a moment, then gathered all the remaining mana within her body. A blue aura swirled around her.

Whoosh!

An unnecessary gust of wind arose, covering the sandy beach. A brilliant aura of light originating from the sword’s tip. A radiance dyed in pure white. As if opposing the dark crimson landscape, a single burst of sword energy rained down like a pure white banner. It was a dazzlingly spectacular scene that captured attention.

“Kiiyaaah!!”

Had it noticed the unusual surge of energy? The Thought-form’s eyes widened. Rotten blood water dripped from its lifeless cheeks like tears. The woman re-gripped the bow she had been holding down. She appeared to be preparing for the incoming attack. Only platinum-blonde hair was reflected in its dark pupils. However.

“That, you see, is a mere deception.”

It was a full-power feint. It was merely a glowing effect, posing no threat, achieved by pouring all her remaining mana into it. In other words, a wholehearted bluff. The real thing was behind it.

Clap!

The crisp sound of a clap echoing. The next moment. I stood behind the Thought-form. It turned around in surprise, but my speed in gripping its neck was faster.

Crunch!

“……!”

Its lifeless lips couldn’t even utter a scream. As I held its neck with enough force to break it, the Thought-form thrashed its limbs as if trying to shake me off. It was a meaningless struggle. Because the shadow I had already unleashed bound the woman’s body. A form as if caught in a spiderweb.

“……!!”

Was this its last resistance? It plucked the violin string.

Twang!

A harsh noise echoed, and subsequently, the demonic energy spread across the sea began to swirl. The dark crimson traces merged into massive waves. It seemed determined to swallow us whole into the sea.

Roar!

The waves convulsed with a grotesque sound. The demonic energy scattered in the air gathered at a certain point, then formed a dark crimson cloud, settling into a massive storm. Befitting its final act, it was a surge of energy incomparably more violent than before. I did not waver.

“……Hmph.”

Rather, I merely scoffed. For it was a futile, hollow gesture, holding no meaning whatsoever. I felt a pathetic pity.

“Hear my call.”

I calmly recited the incantation. “Immediately Jesus spoke to them: ‘Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.’ And Medro answered Him and said, ‘Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.’ So He said, ‘Come.’ And Medro got out of the boat and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, ‘Lord, save me!’ Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and took hold of him, and *said* to him, ‘You of little faith, why did you doubt?’ When they got into the boat. The wind stopped.”

I lifted my closed eyelids. My transparent, pure white pupils held both light and darkness, shimmering chillingly. Following the sacredly echoing gospel verses, the sea that had raged like a storm had subsided into calmness. A silent scene, without even the slightest noise.

“By calling the lost lamb.”

I imbued my fingertips with a lie. The creeping shadows dyed the surrounding air black. And.

“Shatter.”

A direct command to put an end to all sin. Large cracks appeared in the sky.

Crack! Crackle!

As if a mirror was shattering. The background, covered in blood mist, shattered into pieces, and through the fractured gaps, the blue sky began to appear. The woman’s body, which had been held captive, also slowly regained its vitality. Medro Gardner. Her eyes blinked blankly. She seemed unable to distinguish whether the current scene was a dream or reality. This was because she had been immersed in a nightmare until just before.

“Dan, blind man…?”

A faint voice. I quietly embraced her. Immediately after, I whispered into her ear.

“Let’s go home, my child.”

Before long. We were standing on a blue sea.