episode_0132

Persona and her unit utilize their unique magic, [Shadow Domination].

This magic, among the highest-ranking in the dark mana category, allows for complete control over shadows.

It can be used in various ways, such as conjuring hidden weapons from shadows or concealing oneself within them.

Persona, with countless assassination experiences pushing her skill to the limits, could even utilize its ‘ultimate technique’.

[Shadow World].

A technique that draws enemies into a subspace within shadows, securing complete dominance.

Darkness, nothingness, emptiness.

A space within the shadows where ordinary humans can sense nothing.

Within it, everything flows only as Persona desires.

The caster, accustomed to darkness, moves as freely as in their own home, but the target is trapped in utter darkness.

And unlike the shadows cast conditionally in the original world, this is pure shadow itself.

Since weapons can be drawn and appearances revealed from anywhere, the entire space falls within Persona’s attack range.

However, something was amiss.

Tsukang—ssat— kiing—

Sharp metallic sounds echoed repeatedly through the seemingly empty space.

“How… how are you blocking them—!!”

She should have had complete dominance.

The opponent couldn’t see or feel anything, while she could sense everything and attack from anywhere…!!

Why were her attacks being blocked?

Amidst confusion and bewilderment that scattered her focus, the knight’s answer was simple and concise.

“Senses… are not limited to sight. Nor are they solely in the nose, ears, or skin.”

Aspi raised her sword straight.

And soon, Persona could feel it.

The faint aura of wind swirling around Aspi and her sword.

“Existence creates movement, and movement creates wind. Even if you take away my eyes, ears, and nose, I will never fail to read your movements.”

“Khhheuk—!!!”

It had to be a bluff.

The assassin Persona’s primary attack methods were cold weapons, augmented with magic and poison.

There was no need to learn other magic or techniques.

[Shadow Domination] had always ensured her attacks landed.

But if that role had become ineffective, how could she break through this knight’s formidable defenses?

She had to overwhelm them quickly.

She had to pour out every means at her disposal and forcibly create an opening!

“Hwaaaahp—!!!”

Countless blades poured out from the shadows.

They relentlessly assaulted Aspi like a falling downpour.

“Huu—”

But Aspi had undergone training that involved cutting even falling raindrops, walking through rain without getting wet.

Kang- kaga-gang- king- chiing- chyaeng—!!

The raindrops were merely replaced with daggers, but she perfectly blocked every attack, no matter where or when it came from, steadfastly holding her ground.

Spaat-

“Is it over?”

Persona could only be surprised again.

After the fierce assault ended, Aspi’s sword pointed towards her true form.

If her position was discovered to this extent… it was over.

There was nothing more she could do.

“Kkut- kkuhk…”

Now, she could only do as she always had.

“Aspi—!!”

“—!!”

Nari’s voice suddenly echoed from the darkness.

Aspi subconsciously turned towards the sound.

She felt Nari’s presence growing distant.

“Be careful—Your Highness—!!”

Though she couldn’t see, she ran towards Nari, keeping her close.

Blades continued to pour from the shadows, but she blocked them, never relaxing her guard.

However, that wasn’t the problem.

“Damn it… resorting to such tactics—”

“Kkuk- kkikik—!!”

In her current condition, she could withstand these attacks.

But if Nari, whose condition was poor, was exposed to the fierce assault… she didn’t even want to imagine it.

She couldn’t prolong this.

She had to get out of this space quickly.

Aspi maximized her intuition, searching for the edge of this strange world.

To either tear through the barrier’s edge and escape with Nari, as she had entered, or to stop the magic itself.

When she swung her sword toward the area with the faintest amount of unsettling aura, a sense of the outside.

Spaang-

A brief flash of light appeared.

“…!!”

But the shadows, gathering like clouds, filled the hole again, and the outside aura receded into the distance.

‘This space is being controlled at will—’

It was an impossible task.

She had to secure Nari’s safety, find and tear through the randomly appearing boundary, and escape before the space closed.

The tasks were too difficult… and Nari’s presence kept growing more distant.

“I have no choice… your attacks have no effect. I’ll finish this side first—”

“No—!!!”

She couldn’t lose her.

She couldn’t lose her in a place like this.

Aspi ran with all her might, abandoning even her defenses.

“Aspi—save me—”

“Your Highness—!!”

Kwaak-

And finally, she managed to grasp Nari’s hand.

But.

Puuuk—!

“Aspii~ save me~”

“Kkeueueu…!!”

It was Persona’s shadow.

She narrowly dodged, only grazing her shoulder.

But Persona’s magic invaded Aspi’s body.

Dugeun- dugeun—!!

“Kheut- kkeue…”

The magic, reaching its full effect only when defiling a pure soul, began to crack Aspi’s hardened heart, twisting her senses.

“Aspi—”

Was it fortunate that she could still hear Nari’s voice?

Or was it just a hallucination?

Before she could dwell on it, chaos unfolded around her.

“Aspii—”

“Save me—over here—!”

“No—I’m the real one—!!”

“Don’t be deceived!! Stay put!!”

“I’m going to die—”

“Please—save me—”

“Aspii—”

“Save—”

“Asp—”

Voices echoed from all directions, blurring the lines between reality and illusion.

Aspi grabbed her throbbing shoulder and caught her breath again.

* * *

Tsukang- kaang—!!

A while ago, when Aspi rejoined the Second Knights’ main force.

Reuniting with her comrades after a long time was undoubtedly joyful.

However,

“…You don’t seem well.”

“My apologies.”

Her mind was elsewhere, and Commander Carmoor couldn’t miss the emotions clearly displayed on her face.

“Are you frustrated? That your ‘sword for protection’ couldn’t stay in its place?”

“No… My duty is as a member of the Second Knights, to protect the people—”

“Enough of that.”

Furthermore, he had already received word from Nari, anticipating Aspi’s feelings.

When she suddenly left the Knights and applied to be an academy instructor, he didn’t take any action.

Aspi had long periods of solitary training; she was always excluded from the Second Knights’ roster.

Understanding several circumstances, Carmoor intended to send her to Princess Narita. Her sudden departure was thus inconsequential.

And someday, when her skills and experience were sufficient, and the Princess needed soldiers.

He planned to discreetly step down, giving Aspi the position of Commander, effectively placing the entire Second Knights under Princess Narita.

He didn’t explicitly state this.

Anyone who had been close to Aspi understood her heart.

Everyone in the Second Knights already knew who the next commander would be.

They believed that she, possessing such a righteous heart, was worthy of any position.

However, the time wasn’t right.

Even Aspi, who had grown into the Knights’ top power through the Princess’ encouragement, was still young.

Her wavering between ‘knighthood’ and ‘orders from superiors,’ failing to make decisive decisions, showed this.

Therefore, Carmoor subtly drew his sword.

“…Commander?”

“Seeing you like this reminds me of the old days.”

Empty eyes, empty heart.

Aspi, wielding her sword meaninglessly with an empty heart, a time when Carmoor was ready to expel her from the Knights.

But now, it was different.

Eyes that looked at someone.

A heart filled with someone.

A sword dedicated to someone.

Preparations were complete, but the still young Aspi seemed unable to take her first step.

So.

Carmoor, as her master, couldn’t help but push his disciple.

“Everything in this world returns to its origin. Wind, sea, even life itself, each follows its path of circulation.”

Aspi tilted her head.

Seeing this naïve expression made her clandestine night training and subsequent defeat almost unbelievable.

He decided to fulfill his duty.

“Therefore, return. To the day you decided to wield that sword, the day you engraved your life’s goal in your heart.”

“…!!”

Fortunately, there was no need for further worry.

Aspi’s eyes blazed again.

Like the day she saw that single white flower.

“Commander, I… have a place I must go.”

“You have my permission.”

“…Thank you.”

And Aspi, a single sword, tore through the academy’s sky and flew forth like the wind.

* * *

Tuk- tuduk- jurureuk-

“Kheut- keuk- kuluck- keuhuk-”

All my senses tell me.

Aspi is right before me.

“Khahahah—!! You don’t see what happened, do you? Kkuk- I’ll explain kindly—”

And they tell me more.

That she stands where Persona rained down countless blades.

Jururureuk—

The thick scent of blood pricked my nose.

“I don’t know how, but… our loyal knight recognized her master correctly and—!”

“Aspi…?”

Cheolpuduk-

Aspi finally collapsed onto me.

“And those swords intended for her master were—! Turned our knight into a hedgehog~”

“Aspi—!!”

The damp, sticky feeling.

Hot something continuously flows from Aspi’s body.

“I’m… sorry…”

Jururureuk—

Aspi, covered in blood, slumped onto me.

Faintly, I sensed her breath.

“How… how did you find me? The hallucinations were overwhelming.”

“Well… you wouldn’t call for me…? It’s obvious this will happen… It’s clearly dangerous… you wouldn’t call me there…”

I felt around Aspi’s body.

A magic-imbued blade pierced her heart, threatening her imminent death.

“Because… you promised me… a free and happy… life…”

A truly strong body.

Or rather, was her indomitable spirit clinging onto her life?

It didn’t matter.

It was time for the end.

“You did well, Aspi.”

“Your… Highness…?”

I gently wiped away the hot tears from Aspi’s cheeks.

“I’ll definitely keep that promise.”

I slowly rose.

Like Aspi, my body was filled with Persona’s magic; I had been severely attacked.

An ordinary person would have a shattered soul, lose consciousness, and eventually die.

But.

Fortunately, the time had come.

Ttiling-

『Trait, [One Who Transcended Natural Law] is activated.』

『Ether’s awakening amplifies the effect, allowing absorption of the new attribute [Magic].』

It’s time for the end.