episode_0133

“[The trait, [One Who Deviates from the Natural Order], is activated.]”

“[Absorbing internal [Magic Power].]”

“[Magic Power] detected for the first time! Adaptability is increasing.]”

It’s too late, since I ended up hurting Aspi like this.

Before the worst-case scenario unfolded, the predetermined conclusion arrived.

I spread my arms wide.

“[Absorbing surrounding [Magic Power].]”

“[Warning! Absorbing beyond the controllable limit may cause side effects.]”

“[As a control measure, [Ether] is also being absorbed more strongly.]”

As the status window helpfully explained, now that the clouding effect from the Magic Power has disappeared…

the power of Ether has returned to me.

Tick- Tidick-

“Wh-What…?!”

Usually, I would add a flippant provocation to Persona’s startled voice, but…

I didn’t feel like having that luxury right now.

Aspi was still bleeding.

“Haah… Haah…”

“Just hold on a little longer.”

The [Shadow World] is fundamentally composed of dark mana, and its effects are drastically amplified through Magic Power.

Since I can now absorb both mana and Magic Power…

I can also nullify magical effects, like [Dispel].

Crrrack—!!

Due to the absorption effect of the trait, the dense shadows around me were sucked in, and the space of the [Shadow World] began to crumble.

Once the outer barrier completely vanished, we returned to the original world.

“This… how…”

Persona trembled in bewilderment, simultaneously squinting from the intense light of the original world.

“The Magic Power… the mana… my shadow, I can’t feel them at all…!!”

Towards her, overcome with panic as she frantically touched her body, I casually tossed out a comment.

“You—that, is your true form?”

“My power… my power…!! Aaah, AAAAAH—!!!”

“…Can’t you hear me.”

If she continued making a racket, it would interfere with important matters, so I slammed her head against the ground, crushing her skull.

Whoosh-Crack—!

“…”

Tremble- Tremble-Tremble-

After shaking her body twice, she collapsed limply onto the ground.

. . .

I took the long way around.

If only my strength had been intact, I could have ended this instantly without anyone shedding a drop of blood.

Due to a series of unfortunate events, I went through far too many twists and turns.

No.

“…I guess this is just the beginning.”

I spread an [Ether Barrier] on the soft grass and gently laid Aspi down.

“…Your… power… Great… Princess—”

“Stay still, don’t talk.”

Looking at her directly with my bare eyes in the darkness, her injuries were truly severe.

Just the fact that she was clinging to consciousness was remarkable.

First, the strongest healing magic I can manage.

[Great Heal]—!

Whoosh—

The white light emanating from my fingertips slowly enveloped Aspi’s body.

It was definitely having an effect.

The wounds that had ravaged her limbs slowly began to heal, and the redness seemed to gradually fade from her blood-soaked body.

But…

“Keuhk- Kehut- Kulk—”

The most significant wound… the large hole blown through her chest showed no sign of closing.

“Huuph…!!!!”

I poured all my strength into maximizing my magical power.

I used the best healing magic I could currently cast.

However, Aspi’s life force, already depleted, seemed to lack the capacity to regenerate her major organs.

‘Should I ask Tier—’

No.

My connection with the Oracle was completely severed when we were dragged into the Shadow World; there’s no way I can run around looking for Tier right now.

Even now, Aspi continued to weaken… if I took my hands off her, even for a moment, she would likely die.

“Don’t… go any further, you’ll be in danger…”

“I told you to be quiet.”

Stubborn as ever.

I continued to infuse her with healing light, gently stroking her hair.

“You’ve done enough. Leave the rest to me… just rest now.”

Swish-

[Deep Sleep].

I severed the thin thread of consciousness barely holding her together, putting her to sleep.

“Aa- Aaah…”

Already weakened, her continued attempts to stay awake were draining her further still.

Sleeping soundly like this would make it easier to perform healing magic.

Then… all that’s left is my decision.

‘What? There is one… but if I’m in a situation where I’d need to use that kind of magic, it’s best to give up. Even if I’m a saint, some things are just impossible.’

When I asked Tier about ‘resurrection magic,’ or a high-level healing magic similar to it, sometime ago.

She strongly refused to answer.

‘The reason… well, it’s obvious, isn’t it? To perform a miracle of that level, there’s a corresponding price to pay.’

Because to save a life, a life must be sacrificed in return.

I always wanted to consider what-if scenarios, worst-case scenarios, so I persistently asked.

Sometimes I also questioned her *vagina*.

Finally, she couldn’t help but teach me sincerely, unable to contain her mood any longer.

The ultimate healing magic, capable of saving even someone dying, at the cost of the caster’s life force.

[Holy Sacrifice].

Gulping-

I took a deep breath, gathering Ether at my fingertips and recalling the incantation.

The sacrifice, the price is my life force.

Of course, I don’t intend to die.

Though I may be torn to shreds after Persona’s knife work, my body was originally sturdy and overflowing with life force thanks to various past-life perks.

However… since I’ve never done this before, it’s a bit scary.

I decided to only use this magic until I could maximize my regenerative abilities, since saving her by sacrificing my entire life would be putting the cart before the horse.

Then… if she’s still conscious, I’ll cast healing magic again.

If not, then I’ll have to ask Tier to take over.

Droplet-

I gently wiped away a tear that rolled down Aspi’s cheek.

“Let’s… go on an adventure together.”

Slowly, I gathered my strength and activated the incantation.

Whooshy—

My energy slowly drains from my body.

Not Ether, which always protected me, but my life force.

The very power that kept me alive was flowing out from my fingertips.

“Khuit—I… promised…”

Even as her life ebbed away, Aspi grabbed my wrist with all her might, worrying about me.

The more I saw her, the stronger my determination became.

“See you soon—”

[Holy Sacrifice]—!!

As soon as I activated the incantation, my vision blurred as if I had anemia.

My limbs went numb, my senses faded, and…

I collapsed beside Aspi.

. . .

How much time had passed?

The magic had succeeded, and Aspi’s fatal wounds were completely healed.

But…I still hadn’t woken up.

“Aaah… Aaaaaah…!!”

The first thing I saw when I opened my eyes was my unconscious self; Aspi embraced my limp body and cried inconsolably.

Seeing her move properly, I felt somewhat relieved.

Tier, soon arrived, knelt beside her, her hands clasped together, also began to cry.

“Aa, Aaah… Goddess, why… why…!!”

Every time a tear fell, it didn’t fall to the ground, but absorbed into her ample bosom, which was quite a sight.

Hmm, hmm. Not bad.

It seems I didn’t waste my life.

“Sister…?”

Yuri, who followed, knelt beside them, carefully examining my condition.

Her hand traced my cheek, supporting my drooping neck, gently feeling my skin.

‘…Calm.’

Just as I was about to feel hurt that she wasn’t crying, she suddenly looked around, then sharply turned her head towards me.

“Are you there?”

…Busted.

In the upper left corner of the air.

Having left my life-force depleted body, my spirit body was watching the whole spectacle in 4K full HD.

How did she know?

Her intuition was terrifying, but I’ve enjoyed my astral projection enough, so let’s end this.

“Yes, I am.”

Come to think of it, Yuri’s expression wasn’t simply not crying, but rather severely hardened.

“You’re not dead, are you?”

“Yes.”

“Thank… goodness…”

Only when my survival was confirmed did she collapse.

Her tense legs gave way, and she sat on the ground, sobbing uncontrollably.

“Hwaaaang—”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to… it’s just—”

“What, you freaking bitch—!!”

Very suddenly, Tier began to scream curses.

“Hey, hey… don’t curse like that to a saint…”

“I thought you were actually dead…!! Even if you’re joking, why would you do this…!! I’m the one who helped you learn that spell; if anything happened to you, I, hukk- hwaaaang—”

I… never dreamed she’d worry this much.

Nix and Eve arrived afterward, witnessing the scene of the women sitting on the ground, sobbing uncontrollably.

I was branded a major criminal.

Eve, who has excellent intuition… somehow grabbed my spirit form by the neck and demanded an explanation.

After clearly explaining the whole situation, my charges were dropped.

“So… I didn’t do it on purpose.”

In fact, Tier wasn’t really angry, but everyone understood that their concern was more profound.

That said, it’s about time I left.

Returning to my body, my life force completely replenished by Tier’s magic, I fastened my collar and stood up.

“I’m sorry, really sorry… but I still have things to do.”

“Hey—where do you think you’re going—”

I’m definitely not running away to escape.

I really do have things to do.

“Your Highness…”

“You rest a little longer. I’ll be back when I’m done.”

“Yes…”

Although she’d received treatment, Aspi’s face was still pale.

I caressed her still slightly cold cheek and kissed her forehead.

“I’ll be back.”

Sunset was approaching.

The shadows were lengthening; soon, darkness would engulf everything.

That would make it easier for him to escape.

Without hesitation, I set off to find Persona’s still-living body.