Mushoku Tensei - Volume 13 - Baka-Tsuki

4/2/2016
MushokuTensei:Volume13BakaTsuki
MushokuTensei:Volume13
FromBakaTsuki
Contents
1WebChapter118ConfirmationoftheSituation
1.1Part1
1.2Part2
1.3Part3
1.4Part4
2WebChapter119EntertheLabyrinth
2.1Part1
2.2Part2
2.3Part3
2.4Part4
2.5Part5
3WebChapter120HerFeelingsatthatTime
3.1Part1
3.2Part2
3.3Part3
4WebChapter121MagicianofPersistence
4.1Part1
4.2Part2
4.3Part3
4.4Part4
4.5Part5
5WebChapter122WithoutaHitch
5.1Part1
5.2Part2
5.3Part3
5.4Part4
5.5Part5
6WebChapter123MagicCircleontheSixthFloor
6.1Part1
6.2Part2
6.3Part3
7WebChapter124GuardianoftheTeleportLabyrinth
7.1Part1
7.2Part2
7.3Part3
7.4Part4
8WebChapter125MortalCombat
9WebChapter126Parent
9.1Part1
9.2Part2
9.3Part3
9.4Part4
9.5Part5
10WebChapter127FacingForward
10.1Part1
10.2Part2
10.3Part3
11WebChapter128ReturnHome
11.1Part1
11.2Part2
11.3Part3
11.4Part4
11.5Part5
11.6Part6
11.7Part7
12WebChapter129Return
12.1Part1
12.2Part2
12.3Part3
12.4Part4
13WebChapter130Report
13.1Part1
13.2Part2
13.3Part3
13.4Part4
14WebChapter131Hell[42]
https://www.bakatsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Mushoku_Tensei:Volume_13
1/204
4/2/2016
14.1Part1
14.2Part2
14.3Part3
15WebChapter132InFrontoftheGravestone
15.1Part1
15.2Part2
15.3Part3
15.4Part4
15.5Part5
16WebChapter132.5SideStoryIstheMadDog'sSwordHeavy,orSharp?
16.1Part1
16.2Part2
16.3Part3
16.4Part4
17Translator'sNotesandReferences
WebChapter118ConfirmationoftheSituation
Part1
Theroughstoryfromlasttime:AfterhearingthatRoxywasmissinginthe"TeleportLabyrinth"Rudeuswasstainedinthecolor
ofdespair.However,withinhishandswas"ExplorationRecordoftheTeleportLabyrinth"whichhasalmosteverything
describedaboutthelabyrinthinit.
Roxyisinapinch.
Afterhearingthat,evennowtheimpulseofwantingtojumpintothelabyrinthisspurringmeon.
ThelocationistheSrankedTeleportLabyrinth,butluckilyIhadobtainedabookdescribingapastexplorationattempt.
Ihadalreadyinvestigatedthingsinregardstoteleportmagiccirclesaswell.
Ifyouhavethetimetoobserveeachmagiccircle,thenI'msurejustaswritteninthebookyoucanconquerthelabyrinth.
However,firstweneedtoorganizethesituation.
Organizingthesituationisimportant.
RoxyandZenithmightbeinafightagainsttheclock.
Justfiveminutes,iftherescueislate,anychancetojustbarelysavethemmightdisappear.
However,forthisreason,wecan'taffordtobeimpatient.
Afterorganizingthesituationandcarefullypreparingwehavenochoiceotherthantodefinitelyrescuethem.
Inarestlessstate,wemightoverlooksomething.
Overlookingsomething,makingamistake,thentheprobabilitywe'llhaveamisstepincreases.
Asaresultofthat,letalonefiveminutes,oneday,twodays,eventhreedaysmightendupbeingwasted.
Wehavenochoiceotherthantoproceedcarefully.
Thisasettingwherewecan'taffordmistakes.
IfweweretofailI'msurethatwouldconnecttogetherwith"regret".
Regardlessoftheshape,ifbecauseofmymistakewewereunabletosaveRoxyorZenith,I'msureIwouldhavealargeregret
remaining.
"Dad.HereIhavewithmeaTeleportLabyrinthbook,arecordofadventurersenteringdeepinside."
First,Ipresentedtheexistenceofthebook.
2/204
4/2/2016
"ExplorationRecordoftheTeleportLabyrinth."
Once,itwasthebookthatSylphy,disguisedasFittssenpai,recommendedtome.
It'sabookwiththeshapeofthetabooteleportmagiccircleswrittenindetail.
Differentthanotherbooks,it'sabookthatpaintsoutadescription.
ThereasonitwasabletoescapethecensorshipoftheMagicUniversitywouldsimplybegoodluck,orelsebecausethisisan
adventurersrecordI'msure.
Also,there'sthepossibilitythatthisbookisfictionaswell.
Theteleportlabyrinthisalabyrinththatnoonehasconquered.
Thepossibilitythatit'safictionaladventurer'srecordexistsaswell.
ThoughIthinkthatprobabilityislow.
Theshapeoftheteleportmagiccircleswritteninthisbookactuallyresembletherealthing.
Inreality,Iinvestigatedteleportmagiccirclesmyselfaswell,butthisbookhasthemostaccuratemoreoverdetailedoneswritten.
Asaresultofcomparingittootherbooks,there'snomistake.
Howeveritmight...adifferent"TeleportLabyrinth".
Wecan'tjustignorethepossibilitythatmorethantwolabyrinthsexistinthisworldfilledwithteleporttraps.
Evenifthetitleofthecapturingbookisthesame,ifthecontentsaredifferent,there'snomeaning.
"Ifthecontentsofthisbookarethesameasthelabyrinthwe'refacingafterthis,thenI'msurethisbookwillbeveryusefulin
regardstoexploringthelabyrinth."
AfterIsaidthatPaulandtheotherseyeswerewideopen.
"HeyRudi...Wh,Whydoyouhavesomethinglikethat?"
"IthoughtitwouldsomehowbeusefulsoIbroughtitfromthelibraryinMagicUniversity."
"Isee..."
FornowI'llkeephiddenthingsabouttheteleportmagiccircles.
Whatweneedtoascertainrightnowarethecontentsofthisbookandthecontentsofthelabyrinthswe'reabouttogotowards
afterthis.
"Pleaseconfirmthis.Andthen,ifitseemslikeitwillworkasareferenceforexploringthelabyrinth,let'smakeuseofit."
AfterPaultookthatintohishandsandspentamomentgazingatthecover,thenpasseditovertoGisuathisside.
AfterreceivingthebookGisuasked...
"Then,I'mgoingtoreadit?"
"...Pleasedo."
WhyGisu,Ihadsuchthoughtsaswell.
However,sinceeveryonehadfacesasifthatwasnatural,Ididn'task.
InregardstoPaulandtheirparty,GisutookthatsortofroleIguess.
Hecandoanythingwhichiswhyhedoeseverything,certainlyIrememberhearingthatsometimeago.
3/204
4/2/2016
Forexample,"mapping"and"organizinginformation"inregardstoexploringthelabyrinthaswell,I'msurehe'stheonedoingit.
"Dad.WhileGisusanisreadingit,pleasetellmeaboutthelabyrinth."
StraightfromthefrontIaskedvariousquestionsofPaul.
Allofthemweretryingtoconfirmthingswritteninthebook.
"Sure,it'sfine."
"Thetypesofmonstersandnames."
"Theirnumbersuptothelevelthey'reon."
"Thesituationinsideandthecolorofthemagiccircles"etc...
Paulsmoothlyinformedmeaboutthem.
First,therewerefivetypesofmonsters.
SincePaulhadonlysteppedfootdowntothethirdfloor,thereseemtobemonsterstheyhaven'tseenyetaswell.
MisfortuneSpider,[TarantulaDeathlord][1]
It'sahugepoisonousspider.Eventhoughit'satarantulaitspitsoutwebs.Itspoisoncanbehealedusingelementary
detoxification.Brank.
[IronCrawler]
Acaterpillarthatislikeaheavytank.Hardandheavy.Brank.
[MadSkull]
It'sahumanoidmonstercoveredinmud.Sinceinsideofitsbodyaperson'sskullisburied,thatistheweakpoint.Arank.
[ArmoredWarrior]
Rustyarmorwithfourarms.Ineachofitshandsitholdsswordswithagoodcuttingedge.Arank.
[LittleDevil][2]
It'samonsterwithlongarms,legs,andsharpclaws.Itmovesbycrawlingalongthewallsandceiling.Arank.
Thecarefulpartwouldbehowmanyfloors.
Thiswedon'tknow.
Accordingtorumors,it'ssaidtohavesixorsevenfloors,butamongallthosewhoentereduntilnow,noonehasseenthe
Guardian.
Howfardoesthefirstfloorgoisadifficulttalkaswell,butaccordingtothebookwherethespidersaremakingalargequantity
ofnestsisthefirstfloor.
Theplacewherealargequantityofcaterpillarsandspidersareisthesecondfloor.
MadSkullscanbefoundcommandinggroupsofcaterpillarsandspidersonthethirdfloor.
Afteryougettothefourfloorthespidersandcaterpillarsdisappear,itbecomesjustMadSkullsandArmoredWarriors.
Andthen,afteryougettothefifthfloortheMadSkullsdisappearaswell,itbecomesjustArmoredWarriorsandLittleDevils.
Onthesixthfloorit'snothingbutLittleDevils.
4/204
4/2/2016
Thingsafterthataren'twrittendowninthebook.
Thesituationinside.
Fromthefirstflooruntilthethirdfloor,theinsideofthelabyrinthisan"Ant'sNest".
Acurvingtunnelwithcomplicatedpassagesanddeadendrooms.
Andthen,itseemsthere'salwaysteleportmagiccirclesinsideoftheroom.
Accordingtothebook,itseemsthatitchangesintotheshapeofastoneruinaroundthefourthfloor.
Paulandtheothershaven'tmadeitdowntothereyet.
Just,informationaboutthemonstersandthestateofthevicinityupuntilthethirdfloortheyhadgainedsomeamountof
informationaboutthatfromnumerousadventurerstrialanderroritseems.
Amodelofateleportmagiccircle.
Itgivesoffabluishwhitelightandhasastrangecomplexdesigncarvedintoit.
AfterhearingthedetailsIthinkit'sthesameastheteleportmagiccirclesI'veseennumeroustimes.
ThethingsIheardfromPaulweremostlythesameasthecontentsIhadreadinthebook,thethingstheysawmatchtogether.
"This..sureisamazing..Haha!!Asexpectedofsenpai.Youreally..broughtalongsomethingamazing!"
Aroundthetimetheexplanationended,Gisuclosedthebookwhileshoutingwithasomewhatexcitedvoice.
Itseemshefinishedskimmingit.
He'saconsiderablyfastreader.
Ormaybeheonlyreadthepartsthatthey'vetouchedon.
AfterseeingGisu'sstatePaulraisedhisvoiceinsurprise.
"Hey,Gisu.Isitreally..thatamazing?"
"Yeah,it'samazingPaul.Ifthethingswritteninthisarereal,thenclearinguptothesixthfloorisalreadyeasy."
InhisexcitedstateGisuhandedthebookovertoTalhand.
TalhandgaveasidelongglanceahestartedtoreadandGisustartedtoexplainthecontentswritteninthebooktoPaulashe
couldn'thidehisexcitement.
"Allofthethingswecouldn'tfigureoutwerewrittendown.Whichmagiccirclesarefinetotake,whichmagiccirclesareno
good.Takingwhichmagiccirclewillleadtowhichplaceandevenwhatwillbewaitingontheotherside!"
Somehow,itseemsaccordingtowhatGisusaw,thisbookis"real".
However,PaulwasglaringatGisuwithaseriouslook.
"Isee,and,usingthatbookdoyouknowwhathappenedtoRoxyorZenith?"
"Thatis..wedon'tknowthough."
Gisumadeafacelikehehadcoldwaterpouredoverhim.
"Gisu,don'tgetveryexcited.Wealreadycan'taffordanymoremistakes."
Paulsaidthatinalowvoice.
5/204
4/2/2016
Carefully.
I'msurewehavenochoiceotherthantoproceedcarefully.
Ifweblindlybelievethethingswritteninthebookandendupbeingannihilatedthere'snohope.
"..IgetwhatyouwanttosayPaul.Butyouknow,inadditiontothebook,we'vegotanadditionalreliablevanguardandrear
guardaswell.Firstweshouldbeglad,right?"
WhilesayingthatGisulookedovereveryonesurroundingus.
FollowingalongPaullookedoverthemaswell.
Andthen,hestoppedhisgazeonme.
"Ah..that'srightIguess..sorryaboutthat.It'sjustlikethat."
OnPaul'sfaceasmilefloateduplikehehadsomecomposure.
Nomatterhowdesperateofasituationitis,someamountofcomposureisrequired.
I'msurePaulunderstandssomethinglikethataswell.
"Alright,afterweallfinishreadingit,let'sdecideontheformation."
Inanenergeticvoiceafterregaininghimself,theatmosphereoftheplacesoftenedabit.
Part2
Themembersgoingintothelabyrintharefivepeople.
Paul,Elinalise,Gisu,Talhand,andI.
ElinaliseandIhavereplacedVeraandShera.
Sincethelabyrinthisnarrow,evenifwetrytoenterwithalargenumberwe'lljustendupbeingahindrancetoeachotherit
seems.
InorderforElinalisetoreplaceVeraandItoreplaceShera,itbecameaformationwherewecompletelystoleawaytheirjob.
ElinalisetheTank.
PaultheSubAttacker.
I'mtheAttackerandHealer.
TalhandcanbecomebothSubTankandSubAttacker.
Thesefourareinchargeofthecombatside.
Talhand'sroleissomewhatvague.
Itseemshecanuseearthmagicuptointermediatelevel.
HoweveritseemsheplaysitbyearasaMagicWarrior.
Sincehe'stheutilitytype,supposedlyhecanfightanywhere.
Eventhoughhelooksclumsy,he'squiteskillful.
No,alldwarveswereskillfulweren'tthey.
"Lookingforwardtoworkingwithyou!"
Itseemshe'llendupstandingrightinfrontorrightbehindme,hepattedmyshoulderwithasociablefeeling.
ForsomereasonIgotchillsdownmyback.
6/204
4/2/2016
"Rudiisfundamentallyinchargeofthemagic.Afterthecombatendswe'lldependonyouforthehealingaswell,canyoudoit?"
"Noproblem."
OffenseandRecovery.
Eventhoughit'smyfirsttimeinalabyrinthIhavenumerousplainjobs.
However,duringthetimewhenIwasanadventurermyrolewassomethinglikethataswell.
I'msurethere'snothingwecan'tdo.
Withthesefourpeople,Gisuisaddedon.
He'suselessincombat,buteverythingoutsideofthathecanperformatahighlevel.
Confirmingthemap,establishingthedirectiontoadvance,managementoffood,sortingtherawmaterials.Hehasthejudgement
towithdrawfromthelabyrinthaswell.
Heworksasthecontroltoweranddoesoddjobs.
Iguessitwouldbecomeafeelinglike,Director.
Sinceexploringlabyrinthsisn'tjustaboutcombat,naturallyasitishavingsomeonetakeonroleslikethisisnecessary.
Theremainingthreepeople.
It'sbecomethatVera,Shera,andLiliawaitingonstandbyattheentranceofthecityonsupportduty.
Youcouldcallithousesitting,butitseemsthisitselfisanimportantjobinit'sownway.
Atthetimewhenlargeclansexplorealabyrinth,I'veheardthattheyassignpeopletohousesitting.
ThemajorityofthepreparationscanbelefttoElinaliseandTalhand,thepros.
I'manamateurwhenitcomesdowntoexploringlabyrinths.
IfImakeuseofmyknowledgefrommypreviouslifethenIcanthinkofthisandthat,butatthepresentI'llputthataside.
FirstI'llfollowalongthepros'wayofdoingthings.
Andthen,ifthereareanypartsthatIcanthinkofsomethingitwouldbefineifImakeasuggestion.
Asuggestion.
Inmyknowledgefrommypreviouslife,Idon'tknowifthethingsIlearnedfromRogueliketypegameswillbeeffective.[3]
"Firstit'saboutourinitialobjective,butit'sthethirdfloor."
Afterdecidingontheformation,Pauldeclaredthat.
"Therewe'llmakeclearRoxy'swhereabouts."
Wedon'tknowifRoxyisaliveornot.
Howeverinthecasethatshe'salive,afterwesecureher,we'llreturnatoncefromthelabyrinth.
DependingontheconditionRoxyisin,we'llhaveherjointhepartyaftershehasrecoveredandthenventureevendeeperintothe
labyrinth.
Thesixofuswillcheckthefourthfloorandbeyondwhichwehaven'tbeenabletoreachyet.
Andthere,afterwearrivetothegreatestdepths,we'llsearchthoroughlyallaroundandtrytofindZenithwhoisbelievedtobe
there.
Wedon'tknowhowmanydaysitwilltake.
7/204
4/2/2016
It'sbecomeanexplorationwaitandsee.[4]
Part3
Thatnight.
ItbecamethatIwouldbesleepinginthesameroomasPaulandLilia.
ItseemstohavebeenthetechnicianGisu'srefinedwayofcreatingaspaceforjustusfamily.
EventhoughIsaythat,thetimeI'vespentwithLilianotasfamilyislonger.
SincethetimeIwasbornupuntilhavingmysister,shewasamaidafterall.
Ican'thelpbutseeherasamaid.
PaulseesLiliaasawife,butasasecondwife.
Zenithisnumberone,Liliaisnumbertwo.
IwonderifNornwouldbenumberthree.
AishawouldbefourthandI'mevenfurtherbelowIguess.
"It'sthefirsttimeI'vesleptinthesameroomasRudeussamaisn'tit."
"That'sright."
SpeakingofLilia,sheseemstogiveoffarespectfulattitudeintheatmosphereasifsheonlyseesPaulandIasheremployers.
Beingbroughtalongwiththatatmosphere,Ibecamesomewhatrespectfulmyself.
"Husband'ssnoringisloudsowithoutreservationpleaseorderme."
However,thecontentsofLilia'swordswerelightandoverflowingwithhumor.
"Ah,yes.."
InregardstothatIwasunabletoreturnitoverflowingwithhumor.
Whatitwouldbegoodtotalkabout,Idon'tknowwell.
HowdidIusetotalkwithLiliaagain.
DuringthetimewewereinBuinavillageIfeelitwasconsiderablybusinesslike.
".."
SinceawhileagoPaulhasdonenothingbutlookatmeandhasn'tsaidanything.
Iwonderwhatitis,it'sastrangeface.
It'snotquitetothelevelofagrin,buthischeeksarebecomingloose,thatface.
"Umm,Rudeussama."
"Yes,whatisit?"
"IsAishagettingalongproperly?"
IthoughtovertheanswertoLilia'squestion.
Thetopicofourfamily.
8/204
4/2/2016
That'sright,we'refamily.
Then,itwouldbefinetotalkaboutthefamily.
"Yes.Aishaisgivingitherbest."
"Shehasn'tdoneanythingtotroubleRudeussama?"
"Yeah,nothingatall.Shetakescareofallthecleaningaswell,it'sabighelp."
"Isthatso,it'sfineifshehasn'tsaidanythingselfish."
"Ifshewouldbeabitmoreselfishthenitwouldbemorecomfortableformethough."
AftersayingthatLiliaquietlysmiled.
Itwasasmileofrelief.
"HowaboutNornojosamaandAisha?Havetheybeengettingintofights?"
"That'sright..there'ssomeawkwardness,butforthetimebeingthere'snoconspicuousantagonism.Thefightsarealmost
charming."
"ItoldhertoalwaysstanddowntoNornojosama,butwhydiditendupbecominglikethat..."
WhilesayingthatLilialetoutasigh.
"Itcan'tbehelped,Aishaisstillachildaswell.Isn'titimportantfortheparentstogivethemanequalamountoflove."
"Isee..thatmightbethecase.Aishaismychild,butsinceshehasHusband'sbloodinheraswell..."
"Thingslikeblooddon'tmatteratalldothey.We'refamilyafterall."
"...Thankyouverymuch."
Pauldidn'tenterintotheconversation.
HewasjustlisteningtomyexchangewithLiliasincebeforewiththesameexpressionandthinkingaboutsomething.
"Whatisit,dad.Sincejustnow,you'vebeengrinning."
"No,somehow,it'snice,Iwasjustthinking."
WhilescratchingthebackofhisheadPaul'sfacewentredasheseemedtobeembarrassed.
"Whatis?"
"ThatRudihas.ProperlybecomeanadultandthesceneofhimtalkingtoLilia."
Theexchangebetweenhisadultsonandhiswife.
Liliaisn'tmymother,butinregardstoPaulthey'rebothfamily.
Itmightbedeeplymoving.
Maybeit'ssomethingI'llunderstandaswellwhenmychildgrowsup.
"Cometothinkofit,Rudi.You,gotmarrieddidn'tyou."
"Yeah.Justabouthalfayearago."
"Isee,tothinkthatRudiwould,justthatothertimewemet,eventhoughyouwerestillthissmall."
"Myheighthasgrownconsiderablyoverthesepastfewyearsafterall."
BeforeIrealizeditmyheighthadgottentoaboutthesameasPaul.
9/204
4/2/2016
I'dsayaround170cm.
Paulisabittaller,butImightstillgrowabitmore,IthinkImighteventuallyovertakehim.
"Itwon'tbegoodifwedon'thaveagrandcelebrationwitheveryonewhenwereturn."
"That'sright.Afteralldad,it'syourfirstgrandchild.You'llbePaulojichan."
"Stopthat,I'mstillnotthatoldafterall."
EvenwhilesayingthatPaulwasmakingafacelikehedidn'thateit.
Andthenitchangedtoasmile.
"Thatyou'vemadeachild,youmean,Rudi.You'vebecomea"man"aswellnowright?"
"Husband,Idon'tknowifyoushouldbesayinganythingtoovulgar.."
PaulwithagrinningoldmanlikesmilefloatingonhisfacerebukedLilia.
"Isn'titfine,youknowI,IalwayswantedtohavethissortoftalkwithRudionce."
"However."
"I'msureyou'reinterestedaswell,aboutRudi."
"Ifeelthatit'sunfairtousethatwayofsayingit."
"And,and,whowasyourfirstpartner?AfterallSylphy?OrelsemaybeEris?IfIrememberyousaidyouseparated,butdidn'tit
comedowntothatkindoftalkwhenyouseparated?"
ItseemsPaulwantstohavesomevulgarBoysTalk.
Idohaveapartthatwondersifit'salrighttotalkaboutthatatthiskindoftimethough...
Well,it'snotlikeIdon'tunderstand.
It'sbeenthefirsttimehe'sseenmeinawhileandI'msurePaulisinhighspiritsaswell.
I'msurehejustwasn'tabletomakethissortoffaceinfrontofeveryoneearlier.
IhavesomepartswhereI'mhappytoseePaulagainforthefirsttimeinawhileaswell.
SincePaulandIgetalongwellafterall.
Thedayaftertomorrowwe'reenteringthelabyrinth,thatsortofcomposurewilldisappear.
Forjusttoday,itshouldbefinetounfastenthatrestraintandtalkaboutit.
"Dadhasabitofconfidence,inregardstothat,afterall.I'llhearyououtonitall.EvenifIlooklikethis,duringthetimewhen
dadwasyoungIplayedaroundquiteabitafterall."[5]
Itcan'tbehelped,whydon'tIkeepyoucompanythen.
ThissortofpartnerthatIcanfranklytalkaboutoutintheopenlikethis,it'sonlysomewhatbutIfeltIwanteditaswell.
"That'sright,thenthereareanumberofthingsIwanttoaskaboutthough.."
"Reallynow,evenRudeussama.."
"Liliaissayingitlikethis,butifitcomesdowntotheothersideshe'squiteintense."
"Husband!"
"Cometothinkofit,atsomepointalready,therewasatimewhenLiliasantemptedyouright.Pleasetellmeaboutthesituation
atthattimeindetail."
10/204
4/2/2016
"EvenRudeussama,pleasestopit!..Really."
WhilewatchinguslikethatLilialetoutavoicewithasighmixedin.
However,thatfacewassmiling.
Afterthat,wecontinuedtotalklikethatuntillateintothenight.
Part4
Latenight.
ThelightsareoutandI'mlayingsidewaysonthebed.
IwonderifPaulandLiliaarealreadyasleep.
OnthebednearbyIcanhearasteadysleepingbreath.
Itseemsthetwowon'tstartmessingaroundafterconfirmingthatI'masleep.
PauldidsayhewastryingtoabstainuntilZenithisfound.
I'msurehe'sproperlyabidingbythat.
IgotabitexcitedfromthetalkwithPaulandIcan'tsleep.
Icouldn'thaveeverpossiblythoughtthatthedaywouldcomewhereIhaverealexperienceandcantakepartintheerotalk.
Inlifeyoureallyneverknowwhatcanhappen.
Well,puttingthataside.
Inregardstothemattersthistime.
Afterall,thistimeImightbedancinginHitogami'spalmsagain.
Ihavesuchafeeling.
Thinkingaboutit,theonlyreasonIwasabletoobtainthatbookwasbecauseIwenttotheMagicUniversity.
IfIhadn'tgonetotheMagicUniversityandbeentoldtoinvestigatetheteleportincident,Iwouldhaveneverencounteredthat
bookandbeeninasituationtochallengetheTeleportLabyrinthwithoutanything.
ThatsuggestiveHitogami'sspeechwasthesameaswell.
WhetherIregretitandaboutputtingmyhandsonRiniaorPurusena.
IhavethefeelinglikehespokeinsuchawaythatheknewIwouldopposehim.
IfHitogamihadn'tsaidanything,orelseifHitogamihadsaidto"Go".
IhavethefeelingthattheprobabilitythatIwouldhave"stayed"wouldbehigh.
I'vehadrebelliousfeelingstowardstheHitogamiafterall,anditmightbeaboutthesameweightasthingswithSylphyonthat
scale.
Inthatcase,I'msureIwouldn'thavejustdonesomethingirresponsible.
Forexample,ImighthavetriedtodispatchRuijerd,Badigadi,orotherwiseZoldat.
IwonderiftheHitogamiactedwhileanticipatingallofthat.
AllofthethingsthatIwouldneedtorescueZenith,Iwenttotheschoolinordertoobtain.
IwonderwhatintheworldtheHumanGod[Hitogami]is...
Really,Iwonderwhathewantsmetodo.
11/204
4/2/2016
Coulditbethathereallyjustfindsitenjoyabletowatchme?
Thesameasalways,Idon'tknowwhathisendgameis.
Just,there'snomistakethathe'smyally.
Iwonderifhemightshowupagainaroundtonight.
ThattimingwouldbewaytooconvenientIguess.
Ifthingsgowell,thenI'llgivesomethingtohimasanoffering.
ThoughIdon'tknowwhatthatguylikes,soIdon'tknowifhe'llbehappy.
WhilethinkingthatIfellasleep.
Hitogamineverappearedinmydream.
WebChapter119EntertheLabyrinth
Part1
TeleportLabyrinth.
Ifyouweretojusttakeaglimpseitappearstobenothingbutacave.
There'snospecialfeeling.
It'sjustaholeopenedupinjustacliff.
Therearemanyspidermonstersinitsvicinityandmanymonsterstrappedthosespiders'webs,justthat.
Evenifyouweretoseeaphoto,I'msurenospecialfeelingsofanykindwouldcomeup.
However,ifyougothereyourselfit'sdifferent.
Fromthereyoucanalmostintuitivelyfeelthatit'salabyrinth.
Somethingeerie.
However,Ialsofeltsomethingthatwasstimulatingmycuriosity.
Iwonderifalllabyrinthshavethiskindofatmosphere.
"Wellthen,Rudi.We'regoingjustaswearranged,isthatfine?"
"Understood."
Paulpattedmyshoulderandnodded.
Wetooktheformationwearrangedtheotherdayandenteredthelabyrinth.
It'smyfirstlabyrinth,butI'mnotreallyallthatexcited.
It'sjustthepressureoftryingnottomakeamistake.
"Husband,thefortunesofwarbewithyou."
"Everyone,pleasetakecare."
Lilia,Vera,andSherawerereturningtothecityfromhereusinghorses.
Duringthetimewhenalargeclanconquersalabyrinth,theycreateasupportcampattheentranceofthelabyrinthaswell.
HoweverLapanisthankfullyonlyonedayaway,orevenhalfadayawayifyouhurry.
12/204
4/2/2016
There'snoparticularneedtosetupacampoutsideofthecave.
"Nowthen."
Theinsideofthecaveisdark,butitwasn'ttothepointofseeingnothing.
Theinteriorofthecavewasshining,toadimdegree.
However,thisdarknesswouldbefatalI'msure.
"I'mgoingtomakesomelight."
"Yeah."
SoonafterenteringIusedthespiritscrollIgotfromNanahoshi.
Thebrightlightspiritsflewupandstartedtocirclearoundaboveus.
GisuinvokedthesamescrollasIused.
Sincehisroleisthatofthescout,heneedsadifferentlightsourcefromus.
Wetesteditoutyesterday,thescrollcanbeusedbyevenPaulandGisu.
Naturally,sinceitlastslongerwithmoremagicpower,it'sstillbestifIuseit,butitseemstheconsumedmagicpowerisalmost
nothing.
Withthis,weweredelightedatnothavingtocarryalongatorch.
Afterall,itwouldbeahindrancetohaveoneofyourhandssealedoff.
Thelightfromthespiritsisbrighterthanatorch,evenwithlittlemagicpowertheylastalongtime.
Ifthiswastospread,torchesmightdisappearfromthemarket.
"Paul,yoursonsurebroughtalongalotofusefulthings."
"Wellyeah.He'sthesonI'mproudofafterall."
PaulputhishandtohischestwithaboastingspiritandTalhandletoutavoicemixedwithamazement.
"Itdoesn'tseemhehasafatherhecanfeelproudabouthimselfthough."
"Don'tsaythat,sincehe'sbotheredoverit."
WithasighmixedintothevoicePaul'sshoulderdrooped.
"Look,let'shurryandgetamoveon?"
WithGisu'swordsweventuredfurtherintothecave.
Part2
Firstfloor.[6]
Westartwalkingthroughacavelikeanant'snest.
Thewallsandceilinghavewhitethreadsstretchedallaroundthemandevenfurtherinsidethere'sbluishwhiteteleportmagic
circlesshining.
ThereIsentthelightspiritsanditgaveoffanalmostfluorescentlight.
13/204
4/2/2016
"Occasionallytherearemagiccirclesthatdon'tgiveoffanylightsocautionisnecessary,wasit?"
"That'srightRudi.MakesureyoufirmlystepinGisu'sfootprints."
Gisuwasleadingabouttenstepsahead.
Hewearsuniqueboots.
Theplaceswherehestepsleavebehindfootprintswithadeepcrossmark.
Itseemsthebottomsofhisshoeshavesomethinglikeacrossshapedironplateattached.
Ofcourse,they'renotamagicitemimbuedwithmagicpower.
Iwonderifthey'resomethingbornfromthewisdomofadventurers.
Theyseemliketheyhelptopreventslippingandtheyclearlyleavebehindfootprintsaswell,ausefulitem.
Although,onthisfirstfloorit'seasytospottheteleportmagiccircles.
Themonstersthatappearonthefirstfloorarethe[TarantulaDeathlord].
However,onthefloor,thereweredifferentspidersthattheTarantulaDeathlordprobablyuseastheirstaplefood.
It'saspectaclethatwouldprobablycausesomeonewhohatesspiderstofaint.
Insideofthatgroupofspidersthereareclearlyoutlinedvoids.
They'revoidplacesthatareeithercircularorsquareinshape.There'sateleporttrap.
Ifsomeonedoesn'tliketostepfootonthespiders,then,innotimeatall,they'llbeteleportedsomewhere,iswhatitmeans.
Asaresult,wecontinuedwalkingwhilesteppingonthespiderswitha[Crunch].
It'snotaverygoodfeeling,butitcan'tbehelped.
Wellthen,thecountlessBrankTarantulaDeathlordshaven'tcomeoutintothepathway.
Occasionallythere'soneortwoofthem,butafterthey'rediscoveredbyGisuthey'requicklyexterminatedbyPaul.
Upuntilnowthere'snoplaceforme.
"He~...Well,ifit'slikethisit'seasygoing."
Paulhastwoswordsinhishandsandisrapidlyadvancing.
Twoswords.
Oneofthemisthethinghewasalmostalwaysholdingatthehouse.HisbelovedswordI'msure.
Idon'tknowifit'shassomesortofspecialpower,butit'scuttingtheTarantulaDeathlordsintwoinasinglestrike.
Ratherthanthecuttingedgeofthesword,I'msureit'sPaul'stechnique.
InhislefthandisaswordwithashapeI'veneverseenbefore.
Iguessitwouldbecategorizedasthesocalledshortsword.
It'snotshortenoughtobeconsideredadagger,butnotlongenoughtobealongsword.
Ithasahandguardthatcoversaroundthehandandsomewhatcurveddoubleedgedsword.[7]
Thereasonthereisaholeinthecenterofit,Iwonderifit'ssoitdoesn'tgetstucktothingsitcuts?
He'snotusingitverymuch.
14/204
4/2/2016
Paulfundamentallyfightsusingjusttheswordinhisrighthand.
Iwonderwhatheusestheswordinhislefthandfor.
TheresultsofhischuunibyouIwonder?
"...Really,it'seasygoingisn'tit!"
Itdoesn'treallymatterthough.
EachtimehefinishesoneoffPauldoesafleetingglancetowardsme.
Annoying.
Iwonderifhe'sthinkingsomethinglikehewantstoshowofftomehowcoolheis.
IunderstandthatPapaiscoolalready,soI'dlikeforyoutonotletyourguarddown.
"Paul!Properlylookahead!"
Look,Elinaobaachan'sreprimandshavestartedflying.
"It'sfineIsay,we'vealreadyenteredthefirstflooranynumberoftimes,it'seasy."
"Thatnegligencewillcostyouyourlifeyouknow."
"Igetthat,evenifyoudidn'tsayit?"
"Inthefirstplace,you'vebeengoingtoofarsincejustnow.I'minfrontright!?"
"Ifit'sonthefirstfloorthen,there'snodifferenceisthere?"
ElinaliseandPaulstartedupadispute.
BehindmeIheardTalhandsay,"Reallynow,they'vestarted."andletoutasigh.
"Puttingmyselfaside,it'sRudeus'sfirsttimeinalabyrinthitself,soasanadultproperlyshowhimhowthingsaredoneasan
example!"
"That'swhy,Iwastryingtoloosenthattension,it'sbecometheopportunityforconversationright?"
"Stopspoutinglies,justnowIfeltyougivingofftheflippantatmosphereexactlylikethetimewhenZenithjustenteredthe
party!"
"Nowell,ifyou'regoingtosaythatIcan'tdenyitthough.What'sthis,you've,considerablystartednagginghaven'tyou."
"It'sonlynatural.Paulissimilartomysonafterall.I'lldothescoldingaswell!"
AftersayingthatandPaullaughedabit.
"Whatdoyoumeanson,sinceyou'vespentsuchalongtimewithRudi,yourfeelingshaveeventransferredtome?Stopwith
that.IfyouactlikemymotherthenI'llstartgettinggoosebumps."[8]
"...Ohmy,Rudeusyoudidn'ttellhim?"
"What?"
"ThatSylphyismygrandchild.Thefactthathe'smarriedmygrandchildwouldmeanyou'rerelatedaswell.Sincethat'sthecase,
theparentsofthatgrandchild,PaulandZenith,youtwoarethesameasmychildrenaswell."
Paul'slegsstopped.
Heslowlyturnedaroundtowardsmeandcameback.
Theformationcrumbledandeveryonestoppedtheirfeet.
15/204
4/2/2016
"He..Hey,whatdoesthismeanRudi..Sylphyishergrandchild,itsoundslikeElinaliseissayingsomeridiculousthingsthough."
Cometothinkofit,Ididn'tsayitdidI?
"Somehow,itseemsthatRawlssanwasElinalisesan'schild."
"Rawlswas?Thatguy,neversaidasinglewordaboutthat."
"Well,itseemsvariousthingshappenedinthepastandhewaskeepingquietaboutElinalisesan'sexistence."
"Ah..Iseenow..It'snotlikeIdon'tunderstand."
"Ratherthanthat,let'skeepmovingahead.Becarefultoabsolutelynotletyourguarddown."
"Ye..Yeah."
Paulsaidwordslikeheunderstoodandreturnedtotheadvanceguard.
"Seriously..AconnectionbetweenmyfamilyandElinalisehasbeenmadeyousay..Seriously.."
Whileleavingbehindsuchmuttering.
Itseemsitwasaconsiderablylargeshock.
Part3
Thefirstfloorwaseasy.
JustasPaulsaid,hemusthavecomedownanumberoftimesalready.
Withbreaksinbetween,wecontinuedownthepassageandendupbreakingthroughalargeroomwithTarantulaDeathlords
crowdingaboutinit.
Cleaninguptheswarmsofmonstersismyroleasthemagician.
However,beforeweenteredthefirstlargeroom,Talhandgavemeseveralpiecesofadvice.
"Listenwell.Don'tusefire."
"Why?"
"Ifyouusefire,thenpoisonwillfilltheroom.It'sespeciallynecessarytobecautiousonthedeeperfloors."
"...Itcan'tbecuredusingdetoxification?"
"Itcan'tbecured."
Bypoison,he'sprobablyreferringtocarbonmonoxidepoisoning.
Ifyouusefireinaclosedoffspace,theoxygenwillbeconsumedandeventuallyyourconsciousnesswillgethazy.
Thisisthesame,evenwithfiremagic.
"Afterthat,attackingtheceilingisforbidden,aswell.Youunderstandthereason,right?"
"It'sbecausethecavemightcollapse,right?"
"That'sright.That'swhy,it'sbetternottousewatermucheither.Useiceasmuchaspossible."
"Understood."
Ifyouweretousealargeamountofwater,thegroundwouldbecomeloose.
Well,somewatershouldbefine,I'msure.There'searthmagic,aswell.
16/204
4/2/2016
EventhoughIsaythat,ifwhileusingearthmagicyouunknowinglystartusingtheearthfrombasesupportsinsidethecave,then
itcouldbeaproblem.
Ifyoutakeoutthesupportfortheinteriorofthecave,it'spossibleitmightleadtoacavein.
Then,I'msureiceissafest.
Thesafechoiceistogowithwhathasbeensuggested.
Forthatreason,Iwentwiththechoiceofadvancedwatermagic,[BlizzardStorm].
It'smagicthatrainsalargeamountoficespears.
InorderforPaulandtheotherstonotgetcaughtupinit,Istartcleaninguptheonesaroundthecrowd'scenter.
"Oh,asexpectedofRoxy'sdisciplethatthemagicyouwoulduseisthesame..."
IheardTalhand'smurmurfrombehind.
ItseemsRoxyused[BlizzardStorm],aswell.
Thatmakesmeabithappy.
"Moreover,chantless,huh?Icanunderstandwhyyou'reRoxy'sprouddisciple."
WhiletriumphantlylisteningtoTalhand'swords,thespiderswereannihilated.
Weadvanceahead.
Afterclearingthroughthespidernest,westepontheteleportmagiccircleinside.
Walkingthroughthepassage,aimingforyetanotherspidernest.
We'verepeatedthataboutfivetimessinceweenteredthelabyrinth.
Ofcourse,inregardstothemagiccircles,it'stoinvestigatewhetherthereareanydifferencesinthebooktoreality.
Allofthemagiccirclesonthefirstfloorweknowwheretheyleadto,butitwasforthesakeofconfirmingthebook'scredibility.
Twowayteleportation.
Shape,color,characteristics.
Wecontinuedforwardwhilecheckingtheseoff,tomakesureeverythingmatches.
Itwasroughlyonehourbetweenarrivingateachmagiccircle.
Sincewerepeatedthatfivetimes,intermsoftime,itwouldbeaboutfivehours,Iestimate.
Inthefinalroom,therewasamagiccirclethathadastrongerhueofblueandwassomewhatlargerthantheothers.
Thedeeperbluecoloredmagiccirclewasthemagiccirclethatleadstothenextfloor.
Thefinalroomonthefirstfloorwasfullofspidernests.
There,twomagiccircleswerelinedup.
They'remagiccircleswithasimilarshape,ifitwassomeonewhodoesn'tknowanything,thenI'msuretheywouldn'tknow
whichistherealthing.
Nearby,onthesideofoneofthemagiccircles,alargecirclemarkwascarvedintothestone.
ThisissomethingthatGisuleftthelasttimeasamarkerforthecorrectone.
Afterconfirmingthattherewerenomistakeswithinthebook,westeppedontothemagiccircle.
17/204
4/2/2016
Thesecondfloor.
Part4
Secondfloor.
Fromhereon,therearegiantsteelcaterpillars[IronCrawlers]crawlingaround.
Thesmallspidersonthegroundhavedisappeared,andthere'sadecreaseinthenumberofspidernests.
Thegroundfloorhasbecomesmooth.
The[IronCrawlers]withaheightofaboutonemeterandawidthofabouttwometers,giveoffaplumpimpression.
They'recloseinimagetothewormsthatcomeoutinNausicaa.[9]
Justastheyappear,they'resolidandtough.
And,unliketheirappearance,they'refast.
Ratherthanaslowcaterpillar,theyhavespeedmorelikeacentipede.
Itseemslikethey'reallieswiththetarantulaswhiletheironcrawlerstank,thespidersshootoffstickythreadsfrombehind.
Ifyougetcaughtinthestickythreadthenthecrawlers,withabodyweightofaboutoneton,willtrampleyouitseems.
Theironcrawlersaretough,evenPaulcan'tdefeattheminasinglehit.
NoneedtoevenmentionElinalise.
That'swhy,it'smyturnthere.
Icanfiretwomagicspellsatthesametime.
Whilefiring[BlizzardStorm]atthespidersintheback,IfinishofftheIronCrawlersthatPaulandElinaliseattractwithonehit,
eachwitharockbullet.
Itseemstheironcrawlersaretoughertokillwithanormalrockbullet,butIdon'thavemuchissues.
Mineeasilypiercesstraightthrough.
EventhoughIsaythat,asexpectedofaworm,I'dsay,iftheplaceithitsisnotaninstakill,theywrithe,strugglingabout
violently.
"Withthis,there'snoplaceformetotakeaturn."
SinceIwasenergeticallyworking,Talhandmutteredthatuninterestedfrombehind.
He'sstationedclosebehindmeforthesakeofwhetherit'sneeded.
EventhoughIsaythat,inordertoavoidfallingintothatsortofworstcasepinch,I'mmakingsuretofollowthethreepointsto
remaincarefulabout,includingtheoneGisusaid.
Thereforeforthetimebeing,Talhandhasnothingtodo.
However,that'sfine.
Ifwecanhavesomereservestrengthremainingasweadvance,thenthatgivesmeasenseofrelief.
TheTarantulaDeathlordscontinuedtosendtheirstickythreadsflying.
Ididn'tthinkthattarantulasmakespiderwebs,butI'msuretheseguysaredifferent.
Occasionally,theymakeitovertowhereIam,butsinceIhavemyDemonEyeopeneditwillneverhit.
Evenifitweretohit,theyhavenoattackpower.IfIjustburnitwithfiremagic,there'snoproblem.
18/204
4/2/2016
"Ah,damnit.."
"Ueh...It'sstickyisn'tit."
EventhoughIsaythat,itdoesn'tseemliketheadvanceguardcanavoiditall,soPaulandElinaliseendupallstickyfromthe
threads.
"Here,don'tgowastingtoomuchnow!"
Althoughitwouldbefineformetoburnoffthestickythreads,sinceGisuhassomekindofliquidthatcanmeltthethreads,Ijust
weakenthemwithit.
ItseemstobesomekindofuniquechemicalcirculatedonBegarittContinent,anditisharmlesstothehumanskin.
Itdoesnoharm,butElinalisewasgrumblingabouthowitmakestheskinroughwhenitwasspilled.
It'salmostlikedetergent.
MaybeI'lltrytakingsomehomeandwashingdisheswithit.
"Alright,let'stakeabreakforamomenthere."
Afterthecombat.
WithGisu'swords,wesitdownonthespot.
TalhandandElinaliseremainstandingonlookout,justlikethat.
AfterPaulsatdown,heimmediatelystartedtounfastenhisarmorandsword,wipingthebodyfluidsofthemonstersfromthe
surfaces.
Duringtheshortbreak,hefinishedinspectinghisequipmentinaninstant.
Itwasafamiliarwayofdoingit,andPaulendedupaskingsomethingaprowouldask.
"What'swrong?Rudi,youshouldfinishupquickaswell."
"Ah,yes."
AfterreceivingasomewhatharshrebukefromPaulIinspectedmyequipmentaswell.
EventhoughIsaythat,sinceI'mjustfiringmagicfromalongrange,there'sfewplacestocheck.
Nevertheless.
Paulisquiet.
Duringthetimeofthefirstflooreverytimewehadabreaklikethishewouldsomehowcomeoutasking,"Howisit?",butas
expectednowthatwe'vegottentothesecondfloorhisseriousnessisapparent.
Daddyiscool.[10]
"Cheh...It'sstucktoit."
WhilePaulwasrubbingthefluidsonhisarmorwithsomekindofclothhewascursing.
"HowabouttryingtousethechemicalsthatGisuusedjustnow?"
"That'sfordissolvingthethreads,right?"
Andwhilesayingthat,Paulputsomeofthechemicalontheclothandstartedrubbingit.
Andthen,itwasalmostasurprisinglevelofwhite.
19/204
4/2/2016
No,thearmorwasn'twhitethough.
"I...itcameoffdidn'tit?Thankyou."
"Nono."
AsIthought,it'sdetergent.
IfIbuysomebeforeIreturnhome,IwonderifSylphywouldbedelighted.
Ifpossible,itwouldbegoodifwecouldmakeittotheotherside,though.
AfterPaulremovedthefilth,hequicklyputthearmorbackon,puthisswordon,andwalkedovertowardsElinalise.
JustasIwasthinkingaboutchangingplaceswithTalhandandGisu,theycalledouttome.
"Senpai,lookoutisfine."
"Isitfine?"
"Don'tmindit,thatoldmanhasn'tworkedafterall.Ratherthanthatit'saboutfromhereonoutI'dliketohearabitofsenpai's
view."
"Isitfinefordadnottojoinin?"
"It'sfine,ratherthanthatguy,senpaiissmarterafterall."
WhileGisuwassayingthosesortsofabusivethings,hetookthebookandamapoutofhisbag.
Whathespreadoutwastwomaps.
Oneofthemwascleanlymappedout,buttheotheronewasproducedaswestoppedalongtheway.
"We'llsoonbeatthethirdfloor.TheplacewelosttrackofRoxyis...here.Ifwe'relucky,Roxyshouldstillbeinthevicinityof
there.Ifit'sjustasthebooksaysthatis."
"Yes."
Accordingtothebook,itseemstheteleporttrapsaremadetoonlyteleporttothesamefloorasthey'reon.
Evenifthey'recalledrandomwarp,themomentyousteponthemyouwon'tsuddenlyfindyourselfinfrontofthebossonthe
lowestfloororanything.
Roxywarpedonthethirdfloor.[11]
Accordingtothebook,ifyousteponateleporttrap,thenyou'llgostraighttothemonster'sden.
Wedon'tknowifthemagiccircleshesteppedonwasrandomorelsetheonewaypassage.
Inanycase,ifshe'sstillalive,thentheprobabilitythatshe'sonthethirdfloorishigh.
Ofcourse,there'salsothepossibilitythatsheluckilymanagedtoescapetothesecondorfirstfloor,aswell.
However,thesetwofloorswereonesRoxyhadexploredanumberoftimesaswell.
Ifit'ssomeonewhohasasmuchabilityasRoxy,thenshewouldhavealreadybeenabletomovearoundthesecondfloor.And
then,itwouldn'tbestrangeforhertohavemadeitoutofthelabyrinthbynow.
Itdoesn'tseemlikesheispastthethirdfloor,afterall.
"Usefulmagicforthepurposeofsearching,youdon'thaveanyright?"
"Yeah,Idon'thaveany."
IcouldtrythinkingabouttheapplicationofmagicIcanuserightnow,butIcan'tquicklythinkofanything.
"It'sfine,withyourintuition,Senpai,butwherearoundheredoyouthinkRoxywouldbe?"
20/204
4/2/2016
"Intuitionyousay...."
"Inthislabyrinth,wecan'treallyjustgowalkingalwaysfollowingtherighthandsideandsearchingthoroughlyafterall.Ifwe're
goingtosearch,thenthatsortofthingisnecessaryaswell."
"Then,howaboutaroundthisarea."
Forthetimebeing,Itrypointingtoarelevantblankspaceonthemap.
"Theeasternareafromwhereshewasteleported,huh?Then,let'ssearcharoundthere."
Howrelevant.
Ifeellikeitwouldbeefficienttojustsearchthoroughly,followingtherighthandside,though.
However,wehavenooneinthisplacewhocandoascientificanalysis.
Inanycase,wehavenochoiceotherthantowalkaroundsearchingplaceswehaven'tchecked.
"Honestly,withoutRoxy,wecouldn'tbreakthroughthesecondfloor.It'sthankstosenpai.Thoseironcrawlersaretroublesome."
"I'msure."
ThemonstersherehaveabadaffinitywithTalhand'sspecialtyattribute.
Intermsofcombatpotential,ifitcomesdowntoit,Paulcouldgetentangledinthethreadsaswell,andcan'tproperlytakecare
oftheadvanceguard.
Veraisunreliableastheadvanceguard,aswell.There'snowayshecouldfollowthroughaswellasElinalise.
Inordertopassthroughhere,I'msuresomeonewhocanuseiceorfiretypemagicisnecessary.
Therefore,ifRoxyendsupmissing,it'snotstrangefortheirprogresstobeatastandstill.
Rather,afterRoxydisappeared,I'mamazedtheyevenmanagedtocomeback.
"Wethoughtwecouldmanagesomething,butafterall,therearefewmagiciansinthisarea.Andnotasinglepersonhasthe
backbonetochallengetheteleportlabyrinth,aswell."
ItseemsGisutriedtodosomethinginhisownway.
Thinkingaboutit,thetimewhenwegotherehewastryingtopersuadesomeoneintheguild,aswell.
Itdidn'tseemtobegoingwellthough.
"I'msureGisusanhashadvarioustroublesaswell."
"He~...It'sfine.Rather,didn'tIsayit'sfineasnewbie?Ifyouusethehonorificsthenmybackgetsitchy?"
"...Igetitnewbie.Nexttime,I'llintroduceyoutoacutefemalemonkey,youcanscratcheachothersbacks."
"Oh,thatsoundsnice.Thereisn'taredlightdistrictaroundhere,afterall.Rather,whoareyoucallingmonkey?Hey!"
There'savarietyofthingsI'dliketotalkwithGisuaboutaswell,butI'llputitasidefornow.
IconfirmedthingsabouttheroutefromhereonoutwithGisu.
ThemapGisumadewastrulyeasytoread.
However,ifyouweretocompareittothefirstfloorthathadbeencompletelymapped,therewereanumberofholesonthe
secondfloor.
IfZenithorRoxyhappenedtoactuallybeinsideofoneoftheseholes...Suchathingbetternothappen.
Itleavesmeabituneasy,butfirstweshouldcheckthethirdfloor.
Ratherthanstartingattheclosestplace,thesecondfloor,weshouldsearchintheplacewiththehighestprobability.
21/204
4/2/2016
"Gisu,approximatelywherearewerightnow?"
Elinalisestuckherheadin.
InresponseGisupointedtoaspotonthemap.
"Rightnow,we'rearoundhere."
"Then,soonwe'llbeattheendofthesecondfloor,right?"
"Yeah,butspidersandironcrawlerswillstillcomeout."
"Forthecompositionofthemonsterstochangemidway,it'satroublesomelabyrinthisn'tit?"
Elinalisesuddenlyflippedbackherhair.
Evenherproudhairrollswereeffortlesslygettingsoft.
"Bytheway,Gisu,whydoyoucallRudeusSenpai?"
"Ihih...IntheDorudiaraceprison,justabit..."
"Dorudiaprison,yousay,thatonefromwhatGhyslainesaidbefore?Whathappenedwiththat?"
"Afterwereturn,I'lltellyouaboutitindetail."
Whilegrinningandlaughing,Gisudiscontinuedtheconversation.
TheDorudiaraceprison,hownostalgic.
Themefrombackthenhadsomuchfreedom.
Ican'tgetawaywiththatappearancenow.
Ohmy,ontopofthebedit'salwaysthatappearance,isn'tit?
ItseemsIhavethecomposuretohavesuchaconversationnowaswell.
Part5
Andthen,wearrivedatthethirdfloor.
Intermsoftime,itwasabout10hours,I'dsay.
Itwasexceedinglyfast.
"Ithoughtitwouldtakeafewdaystogethere."
"Inordertogettoplaceswithoutthemapthatmightbethecase."
ThenonchalantmurmurIletoutwaspickedupbyPaul.
Iguessit'sonlynaturalthatadvancingasyoufumbleaboutandusingthemapasyouadvancearedifferent.
There'salreadynomoresmallspidersonthefloor.
Occasionally,there'ssomestickythreadsonthewall,butthepresenceoflivingthingsisweak.
Inexchangeforthat,Igetasomewhateeriefeelingdriftingaboutfromdeepdarknesswithinthedarkcave.
Fromhereonout,it'stherealthing.
First,we'regoingtofindRoxy.
"..."
22/204
4/2/2016
Thinkingthat,IfeellikeIcansmellthenostalgicscentofRoxydriftingabout.
No,it'snotmyimagination.
ThisisRoxy'sscent,it'sRoxy'spresence.
There'snowayIwouldbemistaken.
Icanfeelsomethingstirringwithinmychest.
Here.
I'mconfidentinRoxy'scontinuedexistence.[12]
WebChapter120HerFeelingsatthatTime
Part1
Roxy'sPOV
Iheardasmallnoiseandwokeup.
Thesurroundingareaisdarkandnarrow.
It'saconfiningspace.
ThisroomIhadreachedattheendofalloftheteleportingwasnarrow,likeacradle.
Thesizeoftheareaisbarelyenoughtoallowoneortwopeopletoliedown.
Eventheceilinghangslow.
It'slowenoughtonearlybrushthetopofmyhead.
Atthisheightandnarrowness.
AslongasIamoccupyingthisarea,nodemonwillmetastasizehere.
AsIsitattheveryedgeofthisspace,Ireclineagainstthewallbehindmeandfixmygazeonwhatliesbeforeme.
ThereisaMagicFormationthere.
AndthisMagicFormationshineswithaghostlypalelight.
ItisaMetastasisMagicFormation.
WhenIplaceasinglefootonit,Iwillbeteleportedsomewhere.
Themostprobableplaceistoamonsterden.
Aroomofdeath,filledtothebrimwithdifferentkindsofdemons.
OneMonthAgo.
Iblunderedintoatrap.
TheonlyexcuseIcanmakeis[Itcouldn'tbehelped.]
Duringabattle,Ileapedawaytoavoidanoncomingattack,thenItookastepbackwards,andthenItrippedonastone.
Thiscausedmetostaggerforwardwithmyotherfoot,
AndwiththatstepIlandedonaMetastasisMagicFormation.
Beforeweenteredthecombat,wehadconfirmedtherewasatrapthere.
Andyet,Ieasilywoundupsteppingonthetrap.
23/204
4/2/2016
AheadofwhereImetastasized,therewereanabsurdnumberofdemons.
Therewere20,no...30...Iguess?
Iamamagician.
ImyselfhappentothinkthatIamanexcellentone.
EventhoughIcannotusethechantlessmagic,Icanusechantingomission,soIamabletocastfasterthanmostothermagicians
around.
ButdespitealltheenemiesI'vebecomeaccustomedtobattling...
TherewasneverapanicIhadfeltlikethisone.
Iexpectedtobewipedoutimmediately.
NomatterhowmanyIdestroyed,demonafterdemonkeptsurgingforward.
Asdemonscontinuallybegantoappearonebyoneandfillmyfieldofvision.
Thedemonsofthislabyrinth,afterall,knewtheroutesofallthemetastasismagicformations.
Andso,thisplacehadbecomeademon'snest.
Thisplacewaswheredemonslieinwaitfortheirvictims,thesocalled[Trap]room.
Iwaspreparedfordeath.
ButIstillfought.
Mymagicwasnotinfinitehowever.
Andmyintuitiontellsmesoonerorlaterit'llrunout,andI'llprobablyendupsuccumbing.
Iknowmylimits.
Iprobablyhaveabout30%ofmyMPleft,noit'sprobablycloserto20%,andthenumberofenemiesitseemshasn'tdecreasedat
all.
Onlythenumberofcorpseshasincreased,andthedemonsstillcontinuetosurgeforwardoneafteranother.
Itwasacompleteanduttercheckmate.
Therewillbenorescueforme.
WasIforsakenbyeveryoneafterall?
IfIwereinsomeoneelse'sshoes,wouldn'tIleavebehindsuchaclumsywoman?
NomatterhowmuchmagicIcanuse,afoolwhowalksintotrapsisaburden.
No,Idon'tthinktheydesertedme.
Rather,Paulwasalsointherangeofthetrap'sactivation,didhemetastasizetoanotherlocation?
Withtheobviouslackoffightingpotential,didhehavetowithdrawtemporarily?
Eitherway,helphasn'tcome.
WhileIfoughtdesperately,Icouldn'thelpbutbegintolosemycomposureandbegantosobandwail.
Ifeltthemagicpowerwithinmedecreaseeversteadily.
Meanwhile,Inoticedonebrightlight.
Inthiswideroomweresixmagicformations.
Yet,notasingledemonhasappearedforawhilefromaroundanyofthem.
Perhaps,theremightpossiblynotbeanymoredemonsaroundtheplacewherethemagicformationsare.
24/204
4/2/2016
It'sAllorNothing.
Iusedeveryspellatmydisposaltobreakthroughtheswarmofdemons,andIlaunchedmyselfontothemagicformation.
Andatlast,Ihadarrivedatthisroom.
Ihadmanagedsomehowtosurvive.
Itwaspureluck.
IcouldproduceasmuchwaterfrommagicasIwanted.
Ihadabitoffoodstoredinmybackpack.
SomehowIwillrecovermymagicandescapefromhere.
AndsoIspenttherestofthatdayinthought.
Thenextday,Isteppedonthemetastasismagicformation.
AndthedestinationpointwasapassageIwasstillunfamiliarwith.
Apparently,beingteleportedtotheserandomlocationswasatypicalcharacteristicofthemetastasismagicformation.
Howevertherewerenosignsthattherewerepeoplenearby.
Iwasdoingthemappingbymyself,inordertoescapethelabyrinth,Icontinuedmovingforward.
ThoughIhadthoughtaboutwaitingforarescueeffort,buttherewasthepossibilitythattherestofPaulsan'spartyhadbeen
wipedoutaswell.
Icansaywithconfidencethatthemetastasistrapisaterriblething.
Iwalkaroundthepassageway,anddiscover3metastasismagicformations.
Imakeamarkonanearbyrock,andjumpintothefirstone.
Imetastasizetoanunfamiliarpassage.
Irepeatedthisactionseveraltimes.
IfIdon'tdothingsthisway,Iwon'tbeabletoadvanceinthismetastasislabyrinth.
WhileItryandbecarefulnottosteponatrap,oranyofthemetastasismagicformationshiddeninorbyrocks,Iadvanceahead.
HaveImanagedtoadvanceahead,orhaveIendedupjustgoingback?Ijustdon'tknow.
Icannotseemtograspwheremycurrentlocationisinthismetastasislabyrinth.
Mysensesareunreliable.
ThoughIamuneasy,Imustsomehowkeeponmovingforward.
AndIneedtosecuresomenewfoodsupplies.
SoIdefeatademon,eatitsmeat,andcontinueonwards.
HowmanytimeshaveImetastasizedintoademon'sden?
Ifightdesperately,andfindsimilarmagicformationswheredemonsdon'temergefrom.
Then,Ireturn.
Tothissamenarrowroom.
HowmanytimeshaveIrepeatedthisIwonder?
25/204
4/2/2016
Fivetimes?Tentimes?
Themagicformationbeforemyeyesalwayssendsmetoadifferentpoint.
However,Isomehowalwaysendupreturningbackhere.
Ibecamedrained,mentallyandphysically.
Ascouldbeexpected,Iwastired.
Mybiologicalclocktellsmeaboutamonthhasnowpassedby.
Andafteramonthofgoingaroundandaround,therearenousefulresults.
Thefightsarenoteasy.
No,thereisneveraneasyfight.
Ireceivemanyattacks,bloodlossoftencausesmyconsciousnesstodim.
Howmanytimesnowhavethedemonsbeguntorunintothemagicformationstoblockthemselvesfrommymagic?
Ibegantothinkthatthesedemonsactuallyhavebrainsafterall.
Intheendthough,Icannothelpbutjustwastemymagicpowerbreakingthroughtheirblockade.
IfeellikeI'mbeingcornered.
Myjointsache.
Iateallthefoodalready.
Thedemonsherearetoughandtastehorribletoo.
IfIdon'tusedetoxificationmagicwhenIameating,mybodyhealthbecomespoor.
Icanfeelmyphysicalstrengthfalling.
OnlymymagicalpowerdoIpossessinexcess.
Ihavenoideawhatwillcomenext.
Willtherebemanymoreenemies?
Willtherebemorecleverlycoordinatedenemyattacks?
Willmymagicbeexhausted,andmylimbstornfrommybodyandeatenbythesedemons?
Onlygoodluckwillallowmetoavoidhavingtobreakthroughagroupofdemonsjusttoendupbackhere,thenexttime.
Justthinkingaboutthatpreventsmefromsteppingontothemagicformationinfrontofme.
Perhapsthedemonsherehaverealizedmyexistence.
TheyknowthatIaminthenarrowroom.
AndtheyknowwhenIsteponthismagicformationinthisnarrowroom,thatIwillonceagainbereturningtothatden.
Surelytheyarewaitingforme.
Hiding,andwaitingforthatmomentwhenIfinallymakemyfatalmistake.
Ihaveahunch.
Thattherewon'tbeanexttime.
[...]
26/204
4/2/2016
Itwashere.Itwasn'twhenIcameherethatIbecametrulyconsciousofmyowndeathforthefirsttime.
Surelynoonewilldiscovermycorpse.
IdoubttherewillbeanyitemsleftbehindtobediscoveredafterIdie.
Iwilldie,unabletoleaveatrace.
Scary.
Iamsoscared.
MybackteethbeganmakingachatteringsoundbeforeIhadrealizedit.
Impulsively,Iwantedtojustunleashaloudshout,butinsteadIjustgrippedmystafftightly.
HowmanytimeshaveIlookedupondeathupuntilnow?
Ihadlivedasanadventurer,soIhavewitnessedpeopledyinginmypresencebefore.
I'veseenademoncleaveapowerfulwarriorinhalflikeawitheredbranchrightbeforemyeyes.
AndI'veseenanintelligentmagiciansquashedlikeatomatobyademonrightbeforemyeyes.
Anaccomplishedandcleverthief,animbleswordsman...
AllofthemIhaveseendieinmypresence.
OnthedaysIsawsuchthings,Idimlybecameawarethatmyturnwouldalsocomesomeday.
Butatthesametime,Ialsothought[AtleastIamsafe!]
However,nowthatIactuallyhavetofaceit,Iamscared.
WhathaveImanagedtoaccomplishupuntilnow?
TherearethingsIstillwanttodo.
Ievenhaveadream!
That'sright,mydream...
Iwanttobecomeateacher.
Iloveteachingotherpeople.
EvenifIhavenotalentforit,Ilovetoteach.
Then,whenthisbusinessisover,whenwesafelyrescueZenithsan,Iamgoingtogotaketheexaminationformagicteachersat
themagicacademy.
Iwillbeaschoolteacher!
AteacherattheMagicAcademy.
IpartedwithmyShishothereafteranargument.
MaybeIwillarguewithmyShishoagain.
Though,Ihaveafeelingit'llbebetterthistimearound,perhaps.
...thatpersonwasgreedyforrecognition,Iwonderifthey'veatleastmadeittobeingviceprincipalalready?
Iwanttofeelwhatit'sliketohaveordinaryhappiness.
That'sright.IfIwasateacher,Icouldpossiblyevengetmarried.
MarryamanIhavecometolove,wewouldlivetogether,andspendpassionatenightstogetheraswell.
27/204
4/2/2016
EventhoughIamoftheMagicRace,withashortandchildlikefigure.
Istillthinkthereisatleastachance.
[Haa~]
Thescornleakedout.
EvenifIdosaysomyself,withthesituationlikethis,toremembersomethinglikemydream...
I'mgoingtodie.
Mydreamswillnevercometrue.
Iwillonlydieamiserabledeath.
Whenitcomesdowntoit,thereisnowayI'llbesavedanymore.
Ihaveneverknownofsuchapersontoberescuedfromasituationlikethis.
......Idonotwanttodie.
However,Iputmyfootforward,andsteppedontothemagicformation.
BecauseIdonotwanttodie.
Part2
Myfeelingsprovedcorrect.
Imetastasizedtoanunknownpassageway,someofthemagicformationsthatImarkedhadmoved,anditseemedthatIwas
naturallybeingdriventowardsanotherdemon'sden.
ThemomentIsaw,Irealizeditwasimpossible.
Demonswerepilingonthecorpsesoftheotherdeaddemonsontothemagicformation.
Isitbecausethedemonsdon'tmetastasizeintothatnarrowaroomafterall?
Sinceit'sbecomelikethis,thenthereisnooptionleftotherthantogetreadytotaketheplunge.
[Allwhilefightingthiscrowd?]
Ididthinktheirformationwasbeautiful.
Aheapofcorpses,defendingthemetastasismagicformationthatleadstomyrefuge,thedemonsaredeployedradiallyaroundit.
Atthevanguardarethe[IronCrawler],whohavemovedinfrontanddevotedthemselvesasthefrontlineofdefense.Ontopof
themarethe[DeathRoadTarantula],evilredspiders,movingandstoppingoccasionallytospitoutthreadswhileontopofthe
backsofthe[IronCrawler].
Attherearguardiswhatlookslikeahugeclaydollstandingthere,theMadSkull,shootingoutclumpsofrock.
Ibegantoweavemymagicwhilethinking,[Thisisclearlyanarmy.]
"Oh,armorofthemajesticland,gatheraroundmeandbecomemytrappings,EarthFortress"
Thesurroundingsoilbegantotaketheformofafortressaroundme.
Eventually,itcoveredthetopofmyhead,Ibecameprotectedwithinthedome.
However,Ihadtostoponceitreachedacertainheight.
Idon'tneedittoreachtheceiling.
Ifit'stotheextentofmychestheight,itisenoughtoblockthechargeoftheIronCrawlers.
28/204
4/2/2016
"Oh,fallingrain,Icalluponyoutoscatter,andfloodthewholeworld!WaterSplash!"
Innumerabledropsofwatersuspendthemselvesaloftaroundme,andthenbecomebulletswhichtearthroughthearea.
However,astheoffensivepowerofthismagicisextremelylow,thedemonswerebarelykeptatbaybythisspell.
Iunderstoodthat,though.
So,Ibeganchantingthenextspellimmediately.
"BlueGoddess,flydownfromheavenandwavethescepterwhichwouldfrosttheworld!IcicleField!"
Allthedemons'exteriors,whichwerecoveredinthestickywaterdropletsfrombefore,madeahardsoundastheyquicklyfroze
solid.
[WaterSplash]and[IcicleField],andthenthemeldedmagic[FrostNova].Theentireforwardguardofthedemonarmycameto
acompletestop.
Istillhadtohammermoremagicinthere.Advancedlevelmagic.
"KingofFrost.Supremerulerofthegreatsnowfields.
Cladinwhite,ohKingofNaught,whoreapsallpassion.
Coldheartedking,whichrulesthefrozendeath!BlizzardStorm!"
ThemagicthatIshortenedwascomplete.
Aspearoficeshotouttowardstheentirearea.
Itfliesoutinawidearcbeforeme.
Thespearoficepiercedintothedemonsbehindthefrozenvanguard,oneafteranother.
Ididnotmanagetodefeattheenemyvanguard.
Whilestatuesoficeplaytheroleofthewall,Ichantadvancedmagic,andinsteadstruckatthebackrow.
WhenItraversedthelabyrinthnearShirone,thiswasthestrategyIlearned.
Thestrategyofvictory.
However...
[...JustasIthought.]
Atthesametimethedemonsinthebackrowaredying,demonafterdemonspringsupfromthemetastasismagicformation.
SteppingoverthepileofdemonsIjustdefeated,thenewwaveofdemonsfilledtheroomatasurprisingpace.
[Isitnogoodafterall?]
Theroomquicklybecamefullofdemonsinnotime.
Myheartquicklybecamefullofdespair,aswell.
Atthesametimetheroomfilled,Ibegantolosemycomposure.
Thisisbad.
Ican'tbreakthroughifIdon'tfirstdosomethingaboutthatmountainofdeadbodies.
However,Idon'thaveenoughhands.
[Kuu~!]
Fromthedistance,theMadSkullsendsarockbulletflying.
PartoftheEarthFortressisdestroyed,andtheIronCrawlerswhohadtheirmovementdulled,begantorestlesslysquirmthrough
thegap.
29/204
4/2/2016
Acoldsweatslowlyrosetothesurfaceofmyspine.
"Flamingswordofmycharge,tearmyenemiestopieces!FlameSlice!"
Thebladeofflamessprungforward,andtheshelloftheIronCrawlerismaderedhot.
TheIronCrawlerwrithedaroundasitdied.
IronCrawlersareweaktofire.
However,itisnotagoodideatousefireinacavern.
It'slikesomethingistiedaroundmyneck.
Ihavenochoicebuttouseit.
"Oh,armorofthemajesticland,gatheraroundmeandbecomemytrappings,EarthFortress!"
Oncemore,Icreateawallofsoil.
TheresidualamountofmagicIpossesssteadilydecreases.
Imusthurry.
What'sthebestwaytodoit?
HowcanIsurvive?
Think.
IdefeatdemonsabsentmindedlywhileIthinkabouthowtosurvive.
However,Icannotthinkofanyway.
HaveIfinallybeencheckmated?
Isitalreadytimeforittoend?
IsitherethatIamtodie,afterall?
EvenasIcontinueworkingtokilldemons,Ithinkso.
[...~Aah~]
Myfeetstagger.
Myheadswims.
Ifeelthemagicpowerinsideofmebeginningtodryup.
IknowIwillfaintafterIfireoffafewmorespells.
[Idon'twantto...]
Igrabontomystaff.
Idonotwanttodie.
Idonotwanttodie.
EventhoughIthinkthis,inmymind,onethingafteranotherbeginstoresurface.
SoonafterIwasborn,Irememberedmyparent'sdisappointedfaces.
InthequietvillageIlivedin,Iwastheonlyoneunabletotalkwiththeothers.
Myparentspitiedmeandtaughtmewords.
Iwasimpressedbythemagicianwhocametovisitmyvillage,andsoIlearnedmagic.
Irushedoutofthevillage,knowingonlybeginnerrankwatermagic.
AfterIheadedout,Imetthreeboys.
30/204
4/2/2016
Itraveledwiththemasanadventurerformanyyears.
Oneofthecompanionsdied,andsothepartydissolved.
Then,ItraveledtoCentralContinent.
Ihadmetmanypeople,andtherebycametoknowoftheMagicAcademy.
Ithenenteredtheacademy.
Itookaclassforthefirsttime,andIwasimpressed.
Igotagoodscoreonatest,andtheresultsofmypracticalskillstestmadeothersjealous.
Italkedaboutmanythingswithmyfriendinthedormitory.
WhenIbecameadvancedrank,ImetmyShisho.
FromShisho,Ilearnedsaintclasswatermagic,anditcametothepointwhereIcouldeasilyuseitonthespurofthemoment.
MyShishosaidthisandthat,andgotangry.
Igraduatedaroundthen,andlefttotravelwithoutsayinganythingtomyShisho.
IthoughtmyselfgoodenoughtoworkintheAsuraCapitalCity,soItraveledthere.
However,withnoworktobehad,Igraduallymovedtowardstheborder.
Andattheborder,withnoworktobefoundeither,Iwasataloss.
But,itwasthenthatIfoundthepieceofpaperaskingforatutor.
ImetPaulandfamily,andIhadalsometRudi.
IwassurprisedtoseetheloveaffairofPaulandhisfamily.
IwasexcitedandjealousofthetalentRudihad.
IwatchedRudiwhodidnotgetcarriedawaywithmagiclikeIdid,andmyfeelingsofrespecttowardshimrose.
OnceIhadtaughtRudeuswatersaintclassmagic,Ihadleft.
IbegantodiveintothelabyrinthneartheShironekingdom.
Aftertraversingthelabyrinth,IhadbecomeemployedbyShironekindgom.
ItaughtmagictoPrincePax,anditwasdreadfullydifferentthanwhenItaughtRudi.IrealizedthelackoftalentIhadasa
teacher.
AlettercameonedayfromRudi,andIworkedveryhardtomakeabookontheDemonGodLanguageforhim.
IfoundmyselfdisgustedwithShironeKingdom,andsoIleft.
ItwasthenthatIheardoftheMetastasisEvent[13].
ImetElinaliseandTalhand.
IwassurprisedathowfreeElinaliseandTalhandwere.
ItraveledaroundtheMagicContinent.
Imetmyparentsagainaftersolong,andwasabletoconfirmthattheytrulydidlovemeafterall.
Then,ImetKishirika.
Andthen,andthen...
Suchscenesstreamedinsidemyheadinaninstant.
AnIronCrawlerapproachesinfrontofme.
Theroomiswarmedbytheheatofthepreviouslycastfiremagic,sotheeffectofFrostNovahasweakened.
It'salreadyover.
Idonotwanttodie,Ihatethis.
IHATETHIS!
31/204
4/2/2016
[No...NOOOOooooo.........!]
Iswungmystaffaroundawkwardly.
Stickythreadscomeflyingatme,andentwinemystaff.
Inaninstant,mystafffallstotheground.
[Idonotwanttodie.He,helpme,somebody...!]
Iedgebackward,butthereisawallbehindme.
AnIronCrawlerapproaches.
Howmanyofthesearethere?
Ican'tcastanymoremagicspells.
AmIgoingtobeeatenalivelikethis?
Ihateit,whydoesithavetobelikethis?!
[Somebody,pleasesaveme....]
Ah~.
...~ah.
IguessI'llneverbeabletomeetmymotheragain.
Atthatmoment,thatwasmyfinalthought.
And,asthedemonwhoapproachedbeforeme,Isqueezedmyeyesshuttightly.
Part3
Iwaitedforaneternity,butthatmomentnevercame.
DidIdieinstantly?
AsIthoughtthat,IrealizedIwouldn'thavebeenabletothinkthatifIwasalreadydead.
Iamunabletoreasonwhathashappened.
However,Inolongerhearanysounds.
Perhaps,Ihavealreadyappearedhereintheworldafterdeath.
I'mscared,butIopenmyeyes.
FillingmyviewwasasightbeyondanythingIcouldhaveeverimagined.
Itwasaworldofice.
DeathRoadTarantula,IronCrawler,andMadSkull.
Allhadbecomestatuesofpurewhiteice.
TheMadSkull,whichwasinsidetheinnerpart,collapsedwithacrunchingsoundandfellapart.
Theskullandthemainbodycrackedandcollapsedontothegroundwithaloudsound,similartoawindowbreaking.
Itwascompletelyfrozentotheverycore.
ComparedtomyownFrostNova,whichonlyfreezesthesurface,thispowerisinanotherleagueentirely.
Idoubtthereisademonleftaliveafterthis.
"...Eh?"
32/204
4/2/2016
Idon'tunderstandwhatjusthappened.
Ireachedformystaff,whilebeingconfused.
"Hyaaah!"
Thestaffwassocold,thatIdroppeditinstinctively.
Inthisworldofsilence,Iheardaclangingsound.
Wasthatthereactiontothesound?Onevoicereachedmyear.
"Ahh,whatarelief..."
Walkingconfidentlybetweenthestatuesofice,itwasasolitaryyoungman.
ThemomentIlaideyesonhim,Ibegantofeelmyheartbeatingreallyfast.
Itwasthemanofmydreams.
Featuresthatseemedkind,andhairthatseemedtobesoft.
Hewastallandwearingarobe,butdespiteappearingtobeamagician,healsoseemedtobesolidlybuilt.
Dressedingreyrobesandholdingalargestaff,hecametowardsme.
Helookeddownatmewithafacethatseemedtobeopenlyrelieved.
"EHH?Ehh?"
Iwasembracedtightly.
Itwasawarm,powerful,andreliablepairofarmswrappedaroundme.
Itwasalightlysweetscentmixedwithalittlebitofsweat.However,itseemedtobeanostalgicsmelltome.
Hesquatteddown,andburiedhisfaceintothenapeofmyneck,andasheinhaleddeeplyhewasmovedtoprofoundemotions.
"Su~u...."
"....!"
AndthenIhadnoticedsomething.
Ihadnothadanykindofabathforaboutamonth.
"Ah!"
ThesecondIrealizedthis,Ipushedhimaway.
"What'sthis?"
Hisfacehadasurprisedlook.
Ah,I'mhopeless.Ididsomethinginexcusablelikethat.
Eventhoughhejustcametorescueme.
Ah,butstill,Idon'twanttobethoughtofasstinking...
Ah,no...wait...doIreallyneedtoworryaboutsuchathingrightnow?
What'sthis?
33/204
4/2/2016
Ican'tfollowthislineofthought.
"SSorry,Ithinkitmaybealittlesmelly..."
"SSmelly...isit?Ah,I'msorry!"
Ireceivedabitofashockwhenhestartedtosmellhissleeves.
"Ah,notthat!Imeantmyself.BecauseIhavebeentrappedinhereforamonthnow."
"Oh,that'swhatyoumeant?Well,Idon'thappentomindit,youknow?"
"Well,Idohappentomindit."
Ishouldn'thavesaidthat.
Well,itwasfineasitisthought.
Ishouldfirstgivehimmythanks.
Then,Ishouldproperlyhearhisname.
"Thankyouverymuchfortakingthetimetorescueme."
"No,it'sonlynaturalthatIdo."
Onlynatural?
NocompanionIknowwouldfeelanykindofobligationthatwouldmakethemtryandrescuemefromcertaindeathfromsuch
anamazinglylargecrowdofdemons.
Ahyes,hisname.Imusthearhisname.
"*ahem*...Pleasedtomeetyouracquaintancejustnow,IhappentobecalledRoxyMigurdia.Ifitisatallpossible,wouldyou
pleaseallowmethehonortoreceiveyourname?"
AfterIsaidthat,hesuddenlyfrozelikeastatue.
DidIsaysomethingstrange?
"Jjustnow...pleasedtomeetmyacquaintance?"
"Eh?Ah,havewemetsomewhereelsebeforenow?Ifthat'sthecaseIamtrulyverysorry,butIcannotseemtorememberitat
all..."
Cometothinkaboutitnow,IhaveafunnyfeelingthatIhaveseensomeonelikehimbefore.
Now,wherecouldithavebeen?
HedoesseemtolookjustalittlebitlikePaulsan...
CouldIreallyhaveforgottensuchaperson?
"Ican'tseemtorememberyou..."
Helookedblueintheface.
DidIangerhim?
WhetherIlikeitornot,Ihavecertainlymetsomeonelikehimsomewhere.
There'ssomethingabouthisfaceIcanrecall,somethingfromalongtimeagocertainly...
"Remember...Re...member......"
34/204
4/2/2016
Hisheadbobbedfromsidetoside,andhestaggeredbackwardsseveralsteps.
Suddenly,itseemedlikehewasholdingsomethingbackinhismouth...
"UEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH"
Hevomited.
ThatlittleboyRudiaftersuchasmallamountoftime,hadgrownuptobecomeanadultthatInowknewasRudeusGreyrat.
Paulsanandeveryoneelsewhocaughtupshortlyafterhadbroughtmebacktosafety,anditwasthenthatIunderstoodhow
narrowlyIhadescapeddeath.
WebChapter121MagicianofPersistence
Part1
MyfirsttimeseeingRoxyinawhile,andshehasn'tchangedverymuch.
Whetheritbeherageorheratmosphere,theywerethesameasalways.
Just,it'sprobablybecausethelabyrinthtrappedherforamonth,I'msure.
Thelabyrinthconsiderablyweakenedher.
Thelabyrinthworedownhercheeks,madebagsunderhereyes,loosenedherbraidedhair,anddirtiedherentirety,appearing
almostlikeavagrantchild.
Eventhen,RoxysRoxynesshadn'tbeenlostordamagedatall.
However,Gisuimmediatelygaveoutthejudgementtoreturn.
I'msureit'sthecorrectdecision.
TalhandwascarryingRoxyonhisbackaswereturnedaboveground.
AlthoughIdeclaredthatIwouldliketocarryRoxy,butafterremovingmefromthecombatpotential,wewouldn'tbeableto
escapethesecondfloor.
Therefore,itcan'tbehelped.
Lettingthiskindofman,whogivesoffashaggyhairedimpression,carryRoxyisjustfine.
Ididhavesuchfeelings,butnooneobjected,includingRoxy.
"Excuseme,Talhandsan.I'vetroubledyou."
"It'sfine.It'snogoodifIdon'thelpyouoccasionallyaswell,Roxy."
"DoIsmell?SinceitwasenoughforRuditovomit,Ithinkitshouldbeconsiderable,though."
"Hahha,ifIweretothinkthismuchstinks,thenthere'snowayIcouldgetbyasanadventurer."
Alongtheway,Iheardsuchaconversationfromnearbyme.
IhadheardthatRoxyandTalhandhadtraveledtogetherforalongtime.
ItwasaconversationwhereIcouldfeelthatrelationshipoftrust.
Itmakesmeabitjealous.
"Sensei.Ididn'tparticularlyvomitbecausesenseismells,youknow?"
35/204
4/2/2016
Succumbingtomyjealously,Icalledoutbehindmewithmyvoice.
Roxytookaglanceinmydirection,andthenquicklyturnedherfaceaway.
"The...Thenwhydidyouvomit?"
"SincethehappinessofmeetingwithRoxyandthesadnessofbeingforgottenweremixedtogether,mystomachendedup
tighteningup."
"It'snotlikeIforgotaboutyou.Just,Icouldn'tconnecttogethertheoldcuteRudiandthecurrentRudi."
Roxygrumbledthatoutandthen,justlikethat,remainedsilent.
Well,I'vegrownaswellIguessitcan'tbehelped.
".."
Itwasashortconversation,buthearingRoxy'svoiceforthefirsttimeinawhilegivesmeapleasantfeelinginmyears,asI
mightjustriseuptoheavenlikethat.
Part2
WithRoxysreturn,thehousesittinggroupraisedcheersofjoy.
Sincetheystartedexploringthislabyrinth,itwouldbethefirstpleasantnews,Iguess.
IjustwanttoburythatnewsintoaholeI'vedugmyselfalready,though.
No,Iwon'tsayit.
Regardlessofthecause,somethinghappyissomethinghappy.
LiliapromptlyputRoxyintothebath.
Duringthattime,IwastryingtothinkofsomethingIcoulddoforRoxy'ssakeandwasloiteringaroundoutsideherroom,but
Veradrovemeaway.
Iguessitmeansyou'renotsupposedtoapproachtheroomwhenagirlisinthemiddleofbathing.
Iabsolutelydidnothaveanulteriormotive.
IjustthoughtIwantedtodosomethingforhersake.
Really,justthat.
Certainly,Idohaveapreviousoffense,though.
Thistime,I'minnocent.
Ithoughtaboutassertingthat,butIdecidedtoletitpass.
No,thisisfine.
It'saboutme.
Suddenly,Ilookedtomysideandsawneatlyfoldedlaundry.
It'snotconfinedtomyhandjustlikethatgrabbingthewhiteclothattheverytopandputtingitinmypocket.[14]
Ican'taffordtoletthepitifulwhispersofthepastgettome.
Thistimeit's"still"innocent.
Thinkingaboutitlikethat,thisisfine.
36/204
4/2/2016
InorderforRoxytorecoverherstrength,sheneedsseveraldaysofrest.
EventhoughIsaythat,she'sanadventureraswell.
Withoutexternalwounds,shestillhasenoughphysicalstrengthlefttowalkonherown.
Ifshejusteatssomegoodfoodandgetssoundsleeponasoftbed,I'msureshe'llsoonmakeacomeback.
Itreallydoesn'tseemlikethere'sanyproblems.
Nevertheless,IsuddenlyendedupshowingRoxymyunsightlyplaces.
Ihopeshe'snotdisillusioned.
Suddenlyvomitingwasimpolite.
But,itwasreallyashock.
EventhoughIneverforgotaboutRoxy.
IthoughtthatRoxyforgotme.
Cometothinkofit,SylphysaidshereceivedashockwhenshethoughtIforgother,aswell.
IwonderifSylphyhadthesekindsoffeelingsatthattime,aswell.
AfterIreturn,itwon'tbegoodifIdon'tapologizetoher.
Part3
Roxycontinuedtosleepforalmostafullday.
I'msureitcan'tbehelped,afterspendingamonthinalabyrinthfilledwithmonsters.
Iwasloiteringaroundagaininfrontofherroom,inordertobethefirstonetosaygoodmorning,andLiliadrovemeaway
again.
SinceIwasabletogetafleetingglanceatRoxy'speacefulsleepingfaceatthattime,Idecideditwasfine.
Itwouldbegoodifshegetsbettersoon.
Onthesecondday,Roxygotup.
Withawobblingmovement,shecameovertothetablewherewewereeating.
"Goodmorningtoyou,Roxysensei!"
"Yes.RudiRudeussan,Goodmorning."
Inthisplace,includingme,thereweren'tanymorethanfourpeople.
Elinalise,Paul,Talhand...
Gisuandtheotherthreewerecurrentlyoutshopping.
Theexplorationgroupdoesnothingbutrestatthetimewhenthey'reinthecityduringthattime,thestandbygroupmoves
aroundisthecomposition.
Gisuisintheexplorationgroupaswell,butforsomereasonhealsocommandsthestandbygroup.
Ahardworker,orrather,thatpersonsureisdedicated.
Wouldn'titbebetterforhimtojustquitasanadventurerandbecomeamanager?
"Everyone...
EveryoneherefocusedhisorhergazesonRoxy.
37/204
4/2/2016
Roxycreatedahumbleexpressionandthen,matchedhergazeandloweredherheadwitheachperson,oneatatime.
"Thistime,I'vecausedyouquiteabitoftrouble.I'malreadyfine."
Theresponsestoheractionswerevaried.
Onesaiditwasfine,andputtheirhandaroundhershoulder.
Onenodded,andsaiditwasonlyobvious.
Onedranksomealcohol,andofferedthealcoholbottle.
Onelostforwords,andmovedbyherreturn.
"Well,ifyouwanttosayyourthanks,thensayittoRudi.Ifhehadn'tsuddenlystartedsayingsomethingweirdlike,'Tousan,I
canfeelthepresenceofGod,'andstartedbreakingdownthewallsasheranahead,weprobablywouldn'thavefoundyoualive
afterall."
Goingbythemannerofspeaking,PaulmadeitalmostsoundlikeI'madangerousperson,butwhenenteringthethirdfloor,for
somereason,IknewRoxy'slocation.
Then,IhadthepremonitionthatRoxyhadfallenintoadilemma.
SinceIfeltitwasanemergency,Iproceededstraighttowardsthevoice,notmindingthedangerofacavein.
Straightaheadwasawall,butwithoutmindingit,Ijustblewitdownandcontinuedstraightahead.
WhyIhadthatsortofpremonition?Idon'tknow.
Forsomereason,Iwasconvincedofit.
I'msure,thebondbetweenRoxyandIbroughtustogether.
I'msurethat'sthecase.Yeah.
Ido,justatinybit,thinkthattheHitogamimighthavedonesomethingaswell,but,Iwon'tbelieveit.
MyGodisonlyoneperson.
Waitaminute,ifitcomesdowntothat,thenthatwouldmeanthisistheguidanceofGod,aswell.
Then,there'salreadynothingstrangeatall.
JustasIwasthinkingaboutthat,whilefacingme,Roxyloweredherheadasecondtime.
"Umm,Rudeussan,thatis,thankyouverymuch."
...Iwonderwhy...
IfeelanendlessdistancefromRoxy.
Iknowthissensation.Ilearnedaboutitinschool.
It'sthenameformalities.
It'sbecauseshe'scallingmynamelikethat.
It'sbecauseshe'susingreservedmannerslikeRudeussan.
"Pleasedon'tminditit'sonlynaturalafterall.Ratherthanthat,pleasecallmeRudilikebefore."
Aftersayingthat,Roxysomewhatcasthereyesdown,andwhisperedaresponse.
"ThThatkindofwaytocallyou,isn'tittoooverlyfamiliar?"
38/204
4/2/2016
"Noway,sayingit'ssomethinglikeoverfamiliarIfsenseiwasgoingtocallmesomethinglikeRudeussanthenImightas
wellhavetousancallmeRudeussanaswell."
"Heynow,what'sthatmean!"
Ididn'thearanythingelse,likePaul'scomment.
"PleasecallmeRudi,likebefore,withfamiliarityinit.Nomatterhowmanyyearshavepassedalready,RoxyMigurdiaismy
respectedsensei,afterall."
Aftersayingthat,Roxyblinkedhereyes.
WasItoothoughtless?Herfaceisred.
Iwonderifitcouldbethatshehasafeverorsomething.
Andthenshesmackedherowncheeks.
"Yes.That'sright,isn'tit?Rudi."
"Yes,sensei."
Suddenly,almostasifshewasridiculingherself,Roxylookedatmewhileasmilefloatedup.[15]
Thatfacewasbecomingsomewhatrednow.
"Nevertheless,thatis,you'vegottenbig."
"SinceI'mahuman,afterallItdoesn'tseemsenseihaschanged."
"Yeah...justassmall,asusual."
"Though,Idon'tthinkyou'reastinyasyousay."
"Isthatso..."
Hownostalgic.
IfIclosemyeyes,IcanvividlyrememberthingsaboutbeingtogetherwithRoxy.
Thedaywemet.
ThedayIwasfirsttaughtmagic.
ThedayIreceivedthesacredobject.
ThedayIlearnedtheSaintclassmagic.
Thedayweseparated.
Thedaysofexchangingletters.
Allofthemareimportantmemories.
"Nevertheless,thatwassomemagnificentmagic.Evenwithoutmesayingit,youseemtohaveproperlybeencontinuingyour
training.WasthatEmperorrankedwatermagic?"
"Bythat,whichdoyoumean?"
IwonderifIusedsomethinglikeEmperorrankmagic.
"Themagicatthetimewhenyousavedme.Thatpower,quickeffectiveness,andrange.Itwassplendidmagic.Isn'tthatthe
EmperorrankmagicI'veheardaboutinrumors,[AbsoluteZero]?"
It'sdifferent.
Thatwasjusta[FrostNova].
39/204
4/2/2016
Whilemovingthroughthesecondfloor,IheardfromTalhandthat[FrostNova]wasaneffectivemagicRoxyused,andIjust
useditasanimitation.
But,Roxywasmakingafacecompletelylike,[Howaboutit?It'sthecorrectanswer,right?]
Iwonderifthecorrectoptionistorespond,[That'snotit.]
RoxyisaspecialistinWatermagic.
Forhertomistakethemagicshesaw,Iwonderifthatwouldembarrassher.
IwonderifthisiswhereIshouldcalloutblackaswhite.
Although,it'saliethatwillbeexposedquickly.
Sayingthat'scorrecthereandthensecretlytellingheritwasalielaterwouldbethewisewayofdoingit,I'msure.
No,but,afterhearingthatit'sEmperorclass,whatwillIdoifRoxymakesadispleasedface?
Ihadheardthatmy[RockBullet]hadpowermatchingEmperorclassthough,butinreality,Ican'tusemagicthathighrank.
Hmmm.Whatshouldbedone?
"No,thatwasjusta[FrostNova].Though,itseemstohaveahigherrankthantheoneRoxyused."
"Ah...Is...Isthatso?Excuseme."
WhileIwashesitating,Talhandgavearesponse.
Somethingaboutdoingunnecessarythings.
HereIshouldfollowup...
"ReallyRoxyisthesameasalwaysisn'tshe.Although,Iagreewiththeopinionthat,ifit'sRudeusthenitwouldn'tbestrangefor
himtouseEmperorclassmagic."
However,withoutamoment'sdelayElinalisefollowedup.
"Afterall,RudeusisamagicianwhocanputtheentireMagicUniversityintoorderwithbutaglance."[16]
Sayingunnecessarythings.
Andafterlookingaround,everyone'sgazesweregatheringonme.
Allright,it'shere.
"Thecurrentmeishereallthankstosensei'seducation."
Afterconfidentlysayingthat,Roxywaslookingatmewithsuspiciouseyes.
"RudiThat,Ihearditinavarietyofplaces,but,doyoureallythinkthat?"
"It'sonlynatural,right?"
Roxy'steachingsaremyfoundation.
Gooutside,talktopeople.
Getalongwitheveryone,withoutprejudice.
Alwaysgiveityourbesteffort.
Thoseteachingshavetakenrootinsideofme.
40/204
4/2/2016
Forthisreason,IwasabletobuildupagoodrelationshipwithRuijerd.
TherewerecertainlytimeswhereIdidn'tprotectherteachings,butthatisthat.
Peoplearen'talwaysabletomaintainthehigheststate,afterall.
What'simportantisn'twhetherIwasabletoperfectlyfollowthem.
It'swhetherIuseitasthefoundations.
Inthatsortofmeaning,IrespectRoxy.
TothepointwhereIwantherautograph.
"You'vejustbeenadvancingmeatyourownconvenience.Evenwithoutmyteachings."
Roxylaughedinselfridicule.
"Becomingthissplendid.It'stheexactoppositeofsomeonelikeme,whogottrappedinalabyrinthaftermakingamistake."
Andthen,shefellprostrateontopofthetable.
Icanseethewhirlinherhairandit'sabitcute.
"TheShishoissplendidandthediscipleissplendidaswell,isn'tthatfine?"
TheonewhosaidthatwasPaul.
Hesaidsomethinggood.
That'sright,I'mnotparticularlysplendidoranything,butRoxyisasplendidindividual.
So,whatifshe'slosingtoherdiscipleonsomesmallparts.
Roxycan'tbeweighedagainstsomethinglikethat.
"WithoutRoxy,wewouldn'tbehere.Bemoreconfidentinyourself."
ItseemswithPaul'swordsRoxyrecoveredabit.
Raisingherbodyandshewasnoddingdeeply.
Part4
Afterwards,westartedupameetingafterGisureturned.
Agatheringwhereeveryoneshowstheirface,includingthestandbygroup.
"It'swhilekeepinganeyeonRoxy'scondition,butI'mthinkingwe'lldothenextexplorationinthreedays."
ThedirectorGisuwasinformingusofthis.
"Isn'tthatabittoofast?"
TheonewhorespondedlikethatwasPaul.
Exploringalabyrinthunexpectedlywearsdownonyournerves.
EspeciallyaplaceliketheTeleportLabyrinththatarefilledwithtraps,whereyouhavenochoiceotherthantofight,whilebeing
carefulnottotakeawrongstepwhilefighting.
Stillputtingasidetherearguard,likemyself,theburdenonthetwoadvanceguardsisbig,I'msure.
41/204
4/2/2016
"It'sbetterforRoxytoenteralabyrinthsooner,ratherthanlater,tocorrectherself."
"Hn?Ah,Isee,Igetitnow.Certainly,that'strue."
Paulnodded,but,Icouldn'tagreewithitabit.
Isn'titsevereonRoxy,aswell,tosuddenlyreenterafterherlifewasindanger?
"Doesn'tsenseineedjustabitmorerestforashortwhile?"
"Hn?Ah...Senpaimightnotknowthis,butifatimecomesupwhenyoualmostdieinalabyrinth,ifyoudon'treenteritsoon
afteryou'llcatchacursethatwillmakeitsoyoucanneverenteralabyrinthagain."
"Curse?Istherethatsort,aswell?"
"Yeah,Idon'treallyknowwhy,butafteryoureimprisonedinalabyrinthandfearfulofdeath,youendupbeingunabletodo
anything,itseems."
Ah.I'vereadaboutsomethinglikethatinamanga,inmypreviouslife.
Avarietyofpanicdisorder.
ThesocalledPTSD.
Asamedicaltreatmenttocopewithit,Ihaveheardthatit'sgoodtorepeatthemistakeyoumadesoonaftertocureit,aswell.
Iguessthatmeansthosesortsofthingsarethesameineveryworld.
"Besides,Senpaiisabeginneratlabyrinths.It'llbebettertoenteranumberoftimesatashortpace,togainsomeexperience,I'm
sure."
"Iseenow,thatmakessense."
Afterthatconversation,thesurroundingfacesallopenedtheirmouths.
"Icanlecture,ifit'sonmovingwhileusingbothattackandhealingmagic."
"It'sprobablybetternottousethemethodRudiused,orbreakingdownwalls,toadvanceverymuch.There'sthedangerofa
collapse."
"Ifyou'dlike,Icangotothefront."
"Ijustthought,butPaulwouldyouliketoswitchpositionswithme?"
EveryonehadstartedtalkingabouttheirimpressionsfromlasttimeandopinionsonnexttimeGisu,thedirector,wasputting
themintoorder.
Everyone'sserious.
Ithoughtitwouldbedonemoreonthespot,butitseemsthatisn'tthecase.
Evenifit'srotten,thisisstillapartyofSrankadventurers,Iguess.[17]
Inregardstothismeeting,thethingsIhadtosaywerefew.
Itwasjusttothelevelofothersaskingaboutmythoughtsonenteringalabyrinthformyfirsttime.
They'repros,I'manamateur.
NomatterhowgoodIamwithmagic,I'msure,it'snogoodifIforgetaboutthatpremise.
Evenifitwentwellthelasttime,it'snotlimitedtogoingwellthistimeaswell.
"Forthetimebeing,nexttimeI'dliketoadvancetoclearingthethirdfloorit'sdependentonthedevelopmentsbutI'datleast
liketosearchuntilwefindthemagiccircletothefourthfloor,isthatfine?"
"Noobjections."
42/204
4/2/2016
Fundamentally,wecontinueaheaduntilwefindthestairstothenextfloor,andthendecidewhetherwe'llcontinueorreturnlater.
Inthecasethatwereturnlater,afterwards,wetakeastraightlinebacktothepointwherewemadeitlasttime,andadvancethe
exploration.
Lasttime,wedescendeddowntothethirdfloor,allatonce,butitisn'tlimitedtothistime.
Sinceitseemsthatthelongeratriprunsthegreaterprobabilitythatwe'llfallintoatrap,Iguess,wegreatlydesirespeed.
"Cometothinkofit,accordingtothebookitseemsthefourthfloorgivesoffacompletelydifferentfeeling.Becominglikeruins
orsomething."
"Inotherwords,itcouldbepossiblethatthere'sanewersectionaswell."
"Hn...Well,that'swhatweshouldconsidernexttimeafterthethirdfloor.Nexttimeit'sthethirdfloor."
"Yeah."
Itseemswhenlabyrinths,whichexistforalongtime,attachtoadjacentlabyrinths,theybecomesituationswithtwomagic
crystalsattheheart.
Insuchlabyrinths,itseemsthefeelingofthelabyrinthchangesmidwaythroughit.
ItseemsthatsuchacharacteristicmatchesupwiththeTeleportLabyrinth.
EventhoughIsaythat,itseemsthatnotalllabyrinthswiththosecharacteristicshavetwomagiccrystalseither.
It'sonlylimitedtobeingapossibleproblem.
Accordingtothebook,thereshouldonlybeonemagiccrystalintheTeleportLabyrinth.
However,there'sthepossibilitythatitwasn'toriginallyateleportlabyrinthbutjustanormallabyrinthyoucanfindanywhere
else.Thenitcollidedwithsomekindofruins,andbecametheteleportlabyrinth,aswell.
Somekindofruins.
Right,forexample,teleportruins.
"Whatisthat,abookyousay?"
AndthereRoxyvoicedaquestion.
"It'sabookthatRudibroughtalongitseemstobeamemoofsomefellowsthatcleareddowntothelowestleveloftheteleport
labyrinth.Roxyyoushouldreaditaswell."
GisuhandedoverthebookinquestiontoRoxy.
"He~,therewasthissortofthing...Iunderstand,I'llcarefullyreadthroughittomorrow."
ItseemsRoxy'splanfortomorrowisreading.
ThenI'llstayintheinnaswell.
IwanttotalkwithRoxymore.
ThoughIdon'tknowwhatwouldbegoodtotalkaboutwithRoxy?
Ifshe'sreadingthebook,thenIguessitwouldbefinetotalkaboutthecontentsofthatbook.
TheaskingRoxyandtheteachingI.Yeah,that'snice.Quitenice.
"Wellthen,it'sabouttheformation,butlet'stamperwithitabit.Talhand,takeover."
WhileIwasthinkingthat,thetopicprogressedtothenextstage.
43/204
4/2/2016
Talhandclearedhisvoicewitha[Cough].
Thismandecidestheformation.
It'sbecausehewasintheverybackandsawoverthescenethemost.
"Hmm,leaveittome."
Nevertheless,hestinksofalcohol.
Thismanalwayssmellslikealcohol.
WhenitcomestonightGisudrinksashe'sbathinginitaswell,butTalhandcontinuestodrinkthroughouttheday.
Although,oncewestartexploringthelabyrinthhestopsdrinkingforaperiod.
Iwonderifhe'samancapableofswitchinghabitsONandOFF.
"Thebasicswon'tchangefromhowtheywereuntilnow."
Preparedonthetablewasapaperwithtwolinesdrawnonitandsmallstoneswithdifferentcolors.
FirstTalhandplacedthelightbluestone.
"First,justthesamebefore,Roxyistherearguard."
"Yes."
Roxynodded.
Andthen,rightnexttothatheplacedagreystone.
"RudeusisRoxy'ssupport.Roxyisthetypethatmakesmistakeswhenthingshappenoutsideofherassumptions,butRudeus
possessesthe"foresight"demoneye.Unlikehisagehe'sconsiderablycalmaswell,heshouldbeabletokeepanymistakesin
checkbeforehand."
"Yes."
It'saremarkalmostasifRoxyisn'tcomposedenough.
I'dliketoobject,butRoxydidmakeamistakeandsteponateleportmagiccircleafterall.
Itwillbecomeasnakeinthebush.
But,aftergivingitsomethought
Ican'tpredictthingsthatIcan'tseewithmyforesighteye.
Inotherwords,IhavenochoiceotherthantowatchRoxy.
IfIthinkofit,itsajustcausetohaveRoxyalwaysinmyfieldofvisionwhileinthemiddleofexploringthelabyrinthit'snot
badinmyregard.
ImaginingmyselfwatchingRoxy,Istarttofeelhappierafterall.
"Let'stryhavingPaulandElinalisechangeplaces.PaulisinfrontandElinaliseisintheback."
Whilesayingthat,Talhandswitchedtheredstone,Paul,withtheyellowstone,Elinalise.
Eventhoughthat'sthecase,they'realmostsidebyside.
I'msureit'smoreofachangeofroles.
Previously,theirmainroleswereElinalisebeingtheshieldandPaulbeingthesupport,butthistimeit'sthereverse.
Paulisthemainshield,andElinaliseisthesupport.
44/204
4/2/2016
"Gisuisthesameaspreviously."
Talhandplacedthelightbrownstonefarahead.
Andthen,finallyheputhisownstoneprotectingthemiddle.
"Idon'tthinkitwillbenecessary,butthere'salargenumberofenemiesonthethirdfloor.I'llbecomeawallbetweentherear
guardandadvanceguard."
Scout:Gisu
AdvanceGuard:Paul(Main)andElinalise(Support)
MiddleGuard:Talhand
RearGuard:Roxy(Main)andRudeus(Support)
It'sbecomethisformation.
ExcludingGisu,it'sbecomeafeelingkindofliketheFiveBamboomahjongtile.
TheformationofWindbreakermightbeclose.[18]
"Arethereanycomments?"
Iraisedmyhandtothosewords.
"Isitfinetoassumemyfundamentalrolehasn'tchanged?"
"Humu.Inregardstotheminorcoordination,itwouldbegoodtotalkitoutwellwithRoxy."
Afterhearingthosewords,IlookatRoxy.
Shelookedatmeand,withasomewhatnervousexpression,swalloweddeeplywitha[Gokuri].
"Iunderstand.Sensei,I'minyourcare."
"Yes,lookaftermeaswell.I'llgiveitmybesttonotdragyourfeetdown."
Rather,theonewhowouldbetheonepullinglegsdownwouldbeme,though.
IwishRoxywouldbemoreconfidentthansheis.
Certainly,intermsofaggregatemagicpowerandthenumberofmagicthatwecanuse,Imightwin.
However,higherstrengthstatusdoesn'tdecideeverything.
Byaddinginexperience,shetrulydisplaystherealworthofstrength.
Ifweweretoconsiderthose,IthinkRoxyisaboveme.
SheremainedtrappedintheTeleportLabyrinthforamonth,andshecontinuedtofightthereuntiltheend.NottomentionRoxy's
mentalitythatshe'llevengobackdownagainonlyafewdaysafteritlikenothinghappenedisamazing.
Ifitwasme,andIgotintoherseveresituation,thenI'msureI'dvowtonevergointoalabyrinthagain.
Thewisemandoesnotapproachdanger.
It'sfinetorephraseitaschicken.
I'macoward.
"Alright,thissideshouldbefinelikethis.Nextistalkingaboutthestandbygroup."
45/204
4/2/2016
Afterthat,Gisuquicklygaveoutdirectionstothestandbygroup.
GisuhandedalisttoVeraforthingstobuywhilewe'reexploring.SheradescribedRoxy'sconditionandthenpreparedmedical
treatmentitemsbasedonZenith'sexpectedconditions.
Andthen,GisuaskedLiliatodoagoodjobputtingtheothertwointoorder.
IftheExplorationGroupLeaderisGisu,thentheStandbyGroupLeaderwouldbeLilia.
ThenthePartyLeaderisPaul.
Ifyouweretoaskwhatthisleaderdoes,itwouldbemakingthefinaldecisionsandarollcall.
"Alright,theneveryone:inpreparationforthreedaysfromnowdisperse."
WithPaul'scommand,weallbrokeup.
Part5
Nextday.
Iwasloiteringaround(again)inthesurroundingsofRoxywhowasreadingonthefirstflooroftheinn.
Iwantedhertoaskmeiftherewasanythingshedidn'tknow.
Notanyoneelse,butme.
"Umm,Rudi...
"Yes,whatisit?Sensei!"
"You'redistractingmewanderingaroundinfrontofme."
Roxysaidthatwhilesmilingbitterly.
"Pleaseexcuseme."
Iloweredmyheadandplannedtoleavethatplace.
Isee.
I'mdistractingher.
That'sright,isn'tit?I'mjustahindrancetoherreading,aren'tI?
It'snogoodtobeahindrance.
That'snotmyrealintention.
Ijustwantedtobeofhelptosensei.
But,itcan'tbehelped.
IfI'mahindrance,thenitcan'tbehelped.
I'llgosomewhere.
That'sright,I'llgotosomekindofunpopularbar.
Occasionally,itmightbegoodtodrinkalone.
Let'sdothat.
"Rudi."
However,thereIheardavoicecallouttomefrombehind.
46/204
4/2/2016
"Ifyouhavethesparetimetokeepwanderingaround,therearevariouspointsinthisbookthatIdon'tget.So,pleasetellme"
"Yes!"
IimmediatelysatdownnexttoRoxy.
IthinkitwasthefastestMachintheworld.
IfIhadadog'stailattached,I'msureitwouldappeartobefloatingintheairfromhowfastitwouldbewaggingaround.
"Whereisit?Pleaseaskanything."
Ahatanyrate,Roxyisreallysmall.
I'msureit'sinpartrelatedtothefactthatmybodyisbigger,though.
IfIweretoputherontopofmylap,I'msureIwouldsnuglybeabletowrapherup.
I'msureshewouldgetangryifIweretoplaceherthere,though...
"..."
AndthenIlook,Roxyislookingatmewithslanted,upturnedeyes.[19]
"What'swrong,sensei?"
Afteraskingthat,Roxyquicklyturnedawayandfacedthebook.
"No,it'snothingatall.It'saboutthispartthough...
Beforeoneknows,I'veconsiderablyoutgrownherafterall.
Shemightbemortifiedoverit.
Itseemsshe'sbotheredoverhershortheightafterall.
Whilesuchexchangescontinued,IspentalmostafulldayreadingtogetherwithRoxy.
I'msatisfied.
WebChapter122WithoutaHitch
Part1
IncludingRoxy,theexplorationofthelabyrinthrestarted.
Justaccordingtoschedule,wedescendeddowntothethirdfloor,allatonce.
TheenemiesonthethirdfloorareTarantulaDeathlords,IronCrawlers,andtheadditionalMadSkulls.
MadSkullsareArankmonsters.
Theirouterappearanceisofagiantmudgolemwithnoneck.
Theheight,Iwouldsay,isaround2.5meters.
Theyappearquitewideandsolidaswell.
Somewherearoundtheirchesttheyhaveaskullburied,andthatistheweakpoint.
47/204
4/2/2016
Iguessthat'sright,Ja*raorSa*erumightbeclose.[20]
Althoughtheirmovementsaredull,nomatterhowmuchyouattackthemudparts,ithasnoeffectandifitcomesdowntoa
dangeroussituation,theskullinitschesthidesfurtherinsideofitsbody.
Inregardstoattackmethods,otherthanattackingpeoplephysicallywithitsbodyitusesmagicalmostlikearockbullet,aswell.
However,thereasonwhyitisincludedasArank,isn'tthat.
Monstersoflowintelligenceobeyitscommands.
Theironcrawlersandthetarantuladeathlordsbecometheservantstothemadskull.
Incontrasttoitsgolemlikeouterappearance,ithashighintelligence.Itusestheironcrawlersasanadvanceguard,has
tarantulasprotectthemiddle,anditstandsasrearguardintheformationasintrudersattack.
MadSkullisacommandtypemonster.
Theironcrawlersstampedecombinedwiththetarantulasstickywebentangleisthetacticfromthesecondfloor.
Onthedeeperfloors,MadSkulljoinsthefray,andtheygiveoutcommandswhileusingrockbullets.
ForPaulandtheotherswhowerehavingahardfightonthesecondfloor,I'msurethesetacticsweresevere.
Despitefightingwithalltheirmight,theyshouldhavehadnoleewaytosearchforRoxyatall.
Nevertheless,withtheadditionofRoxyandI,wesolvethisproblem.
Then,themonstersprotectingthemiddle,thespiders,arenobigdeal.So,wetaketheinitiativewithRoxyastheadvanceguard,
finishingtheironcrawlers,andmyselfastherearguard,attackingthemadskulls,anditworksfine.
Paulandtheothertwoareplentytodealwiththespiders.
SinceI'minthebackandRoxyisinfrontofme,
Then,Paulandtheothersdecreasethenumberofenemies.
MadSkullsareweaktowater,
Becausethey'remudafterall.
Ifyouincreasetheirwatercontent,theyendupflowingaway.
Otherwise,it'sfire.
Dryingoutthemud,theybecomeunabletomove.
However,rockbulletworksfineforme.
IfIfocususingthedemoneye,Icansnipetheirweakpoint,theskull,withasingle[RockBullet].
Oneshot,onekill,I'dsay.
I'maskilledsniper.But,I'mjustahornworm,orcamper,whowon'tmovefromspawnpoint.[21]
"Fu..."
Afterannihilatingtheenemies,Roxyletoutasigh.
Ipeekatherfacewhichlooksoutfromunderthebrimofherhat.
I'msurehermagicpowerisdecreasingit'sasomewhattiredface.
Suddenly,Roxyfacesmydirection.
Whilelookingupatmewithsomewhatslanted,upturnedeyes,
48/204
4/2/2016
Afteroureyesmet,shequicklyavoidedeyecontact,
"Beforelong,I'mgoingtobeoutofmagicpower.Pleaseallowsomebreaktime."
Withthosewords,wetakeabreakuntilwereturntothepassage.
Onmyend,Istillhaveplentyofroominmyaggregatemagicpower.
Rather,itprobablyhasn'tevendecreasedbyhalfyet.
Fundamentally,Ihaven'tevenusedanythingbut[RockBullet]either.
Roxyistheonefreezingtheenemiesusing[FrostNova],itcan'tbehelpedherexhaustionisfast.
"Excuseme,becausetheamountofmymagicpowerisinsufficient,"
Roxysaidthatwithasighwhilesittingdown.
"No,thoughIthinkyouhaveplenty."
Roxy'sprecisionwithhermagicisextremelyhigh.
Withshortenedincantations,she'scompletelyusingrangedmagicandsheisperfect.
Occasionally,eventhoughthesprayfrom[WaterSplash]maygetonPaulandtheothers,butafterthat,her[IcicleField]freezes
onlytheenemies,withasurprisingprecision.
Speakingofprecision,inotherwords,itmeanslimitingmagicpower.
Eventhoughthat'sthecase,she'scontinuedtofightforaconsiderablylongperiod.
It's,bynomeans,becauseheramountofmagicpowerisinsufficient.
Mostlikely,it'sequaltoorevenabovetheamountofSylphy.
"Wellthen,it'saboutthetimeI'dlikeforthemagiccircletothefourthfloortobefound,I'dsay,"
Gisucomparedthebooktothemapwhilescratchinghischin.
Aftergoingdowntothethirdfloor,theseconddaysinceweenteredwillsoonpass.
Accordingtotheauthorofthebook,thenumberofdaysittakestoclearthethirdfloorisfivedays.
Althoughourpaceisfasterthantheyare,andaftervisitingthethirdflooranumberoftimes,themapiswelldone,aswell.
I'msurethemagiccircletothenextfloorwillbefoundsoon.
"Rudi,isitfineformetoborrowyourbackforabit?"Roxyasked.
"Pleasedo."
Afterresponding,Roxyleanedonmyback.
Inthemiddleofbreaktime,Roxyrestswhiledroopingontomyback.
Ratherthanleaningagainstacavewall,I'msureleaningagainstaperson'sbackismorerestful.
Thesocalledsidebenefit,
"Nevertheless,IneverthoughtIwouldgettoseeRudienteralabyrinth."
"That'sright.Isthereanykindofadviceyouhaveforme?"
"Eh...SinceRudi'sbasicmovements,inregardstotheparty,arewelldone,there'snothingtosay."
49/204
4/2/2016
"Thankyouverymuch."
"Chantlessmagichasanextremelyhighprecision.Itsureisamazing."
"No,Istillhaveawaystogo."
Stillaways,
Right,stillawaystogo,
AfterlookingatRoxy,Ireallyfeelthatway.
Shedoesn'tincreasethenumberofcardsshehasinherhand,butincreasesthenumberofthingsshecando.
Then,bycombiningthecardsshehas,sheoverwhelmstheopponent.
Inthepast,Iusedtodothataswell,butatsomepointunaware,ithadbecomewhereallIuseis[RockBullet]and[Quagmire].
It'snogoodlikethis,butagainstopponentstosomelevel,itwillwinthebattle.
EventhoughIsaythat,it'snotstrongagainstopponentswhouseclevertechniques,basedonthatassumption.
Mytacticsareperfectagainstnoopponents,aswell,
Theobjectiveishighandtheresnoobjectiveinfrontofmyeyes.
Likethis,Ican'timproveanymore.
"Rudi."
"Whatisit?"
"If,we'reabletosaveZenithsanandyouhavesparetime,wouldyouliketoexplorealabyrinthtogetherwithme?"
"Justthetwoofus?"
"Yes.Rightnow,we'reinacorneredsituation,intermsoftime,butexploringalabyrinthisinteresting.Wouldn'tyoulike
formingapartywiththetwoofus,andenteringaneasierlabyrinth?"
Labyrinths,huh.
Honestly,ifGisuweren'there,thenIfeellikeIwouldquicklystepintoatrap,though.
However,Roxyisapersonthatisabletoexplorelabyrinthsalone.
Well,she'sabitclumsy,butshehasactualresults,aswell.
IfIfollowalongwithher,I'msurewecouldpossiblyconquerone.
"That'sfine.Afterwereturn,let'senteralabyrinthtogether."
"It'sapromise."
"Yeah,it'sapromise."
Inthecornerofmyfieldofvision,IsawRoxy'shandrelaxabit.
"...Ah,I'mfeelingabitsleepyI'llsleepforabit."
"Yes,goodnight."
Aftersayingthat,IfeltRoxygetcomfortableandthepowerdisappearfromherback.
Irespondedonmomentum,butexploringalabyrinthrequiresaconsiderablenumberofdays.
Forme,whohasnochoiceotherthantoraiseachild,IwonderifI'llhavethatkindoftime.
Well,it'snotaconversationforrightaway.
50/204
4/2/2016
ItwillbefineifIhavesparetime.
Aftermychildisbornanditbecomesabitbigger,SylphyandIwillhavemoreflexibility.
I'msurebythattime,I'llbeovertwentyyearsold,but,well,I'msurethere'snoproblem.
Nevertheless,I'mhappy.
BeinginvitedtoapartybyRoxy,
Itfeelslikesherecognizesmyability.
ItwouldbegoodifIwerecarefultoshowhermygoodpartsonly.
Whilethinkingsuchthings,Isleptforabitaswell.
Part2
Afterdiscoveringthemagiccircletothefourthfloor,wethoroughlysearchedaroundthethirdfloor.
However,weneversawtheshadoworshapeofZenith.
We'vearrivedatthefourthfloor.
Theinstantwecameoutoftheteleportmagiccircle,ataglance,thesurroundingshadundergoneacompletechangefrom
previousfloors.
Ihavearecollectionofthosestoneconstructedwalls.
AsIthought,it'ssimilartotheruinswheretheteleportmagiccirclewas.
Iwonderifthesametypeofruinendedupbecomingalabyrinth.
"Gisu,whatshouldwedo?"Paulasked.
"Hn?Westillhaveabitmoretime."
"Allright,thenafterwechecktheatmosphereofthefourthfloor,we'llreturnonce."
Paulsaidthatwithasharpface,whileIwaslookingaroundthesurroundingsrestlessly.
Nomatterhowyoulookatthetimeswhenhe'sdown,Paulisafailureasahuman,but,duringthetimeshe'sproperlydoinghis
job,Paulsureiscool.
Idon'tthinkit'sstrangeatallthatZenithwouldfallforPaulafterseeinghisfigure,aswell.
IfIhavehisbloodflowingthroughmeaswell,thenthatcomplimentSylphyoftensaystomemightbehertruefeelings.
"Sensei,whenI'mputtingonaseriousface,amIcool?"
Suddenly,IaskedRoxysomethinglikethat.
Itmighthavebeenabitnarcissistic.
Roxyglancedovertowardsmefromunderherhatsbrimandstuttered,
"Eh?Ah,uh...umm.WeWell,cool?Iguess?"
Andthenquicklyturnedherfaceaway,
Okay.
Justthatreactionisplenty.
Roxyconveyedthefeeling.
51/204
4/2/2016
Iaskedsomethingthatwashardtorespondto,didn'tI?
Excuseme.ItseemsIwasgettingabittoofullofmyself.
But,ifRoxyweretosuddenlygirlishlyask,"AmIcute?"withbothhandscarryinglightsticks,Iwouldaffirmthatwithan
elevatedcheerfromthefrontseat.[22]
Menaren'tcoolbytheirfacealone.
It'stheirheart.
Heavingaheartofsteelthatburnsredwithfeverisessential.
Everyonehitbysuchaheartwillbeknockedoutinasinglehit.
"Rudi,it'stheenemy."
Afterlookingahead,thereweretwoarmoredmonsters,eachwithfourarms,walkingtowardsus.
TheArmoredWarriors,
Forthetimebeing,itseemsthesetypesofarmorsareoftheundeadattribute.
Andthen,IvelearnedwhatworkswellontheundeadisRockorHolyattacks.
Ifyoufireasomewhatlarge[RockBullet]withagoodamountofmass,thengenerallyeverythingwillbeblowntopiecesina
singlehit.
"I'llpreemptivelyattackitwitha[RockBullet]."
"Ah,Rudi,that'snogood."
JustasIwaspreparingmystaff,Roxystoppedme.
"I'veheardthatArmoredWarriorsusethetechniquesoftheWaterGodstyle.Ifyoucarelesslyfireoffmagic,thenacounterwill
comeflyingback."
WaterGodstyle,
Ihaven'tencountereditveryoften,butit'sastyleofswordsmanshipthatfocusesonwardingoffandcountering.
WardingoffandcounteringWaterGodstyle,forsomereason,workseffectivelyevenagainstmagic,aswell.
Idon'treallyknowspecificallyhowtobecomelikethat,butotherssaytheyhaveaswordtechniquethatallowsthemtocounter
attackmagicandsenditflyingback.
Evenifit'stheusualsituation,thenIwouldstillfeelit'sfine,buttheopponentisholdingfourswords.
Sinceit'snotahuman,itmighttakeonfouropponentssimultaneouslyandmatchupcountersforallthem.
"IseethenwhatshouldIdo?"
"Stopitsfeetandprovidebackup.Sinceit'sthefirstmonsters,forstarters,proceedwithcaution."
"Understood,Tousan,I'mgoingtouse[Quagmire],pleasebecarefulofyourstep!"
"Sure!"
Thearmortypemonstershavepowerandtheyareabsurdlyskilledwiththeswordaswell,buttheirlegsareslow.
Also,thearmorisheavyanditshouldsinkeasilyintothemud.
EventhoughIsaythat,ifIdon'treleaseadeepset[Quagmire]thenthere'sthepossibilityitmightescape,aswell.
Idon'tthinkitwillleadtoacaveinsoeasily,butit'sstillbettertominimizemagicthatchangestheterrain.
Abouttotheknees,Iguess.
52/204
4/2/2016
"[Quagmire]!"
JustastheArmoredWarriorwasabouttotakeastepforward,thequagmirewascreated.
Bothofthosefellowssankuptotheirthighsintothemud.
Fromthereourformationstwoadvanceguardssprangintoaction.
"Paul.I'llgoinfromtheleft."
"Understood,youalwaystaketheleft,don'tyou?"
"Ifmyswordisonthesidewiththewall,thenit'sdifficulttomove."
"Justbeingselfishnow...andwhoa,howdangerous!"
ItseemsPaulhasplentyofcomposure.
WhilewardingofftheArmoredWarrior'sswordstrikewiththeswordinhisrighthand,thedaggerinhislefthandhasalready
cutoffoneofthearmsinaflash.
Thearmorseemsquitesolid,butitseemsthathasnoeffect.
SwordsmenoftheSwordGodstylearemonsters.
And,maybethatdagger'scuttingedgeisrazorsharp,Iwonder.
ItseemsElinaliseissomewhatbeingsuppressed.
Bynomeansisshetakinganylargeattacks,butwithherattackpower,shecan'teffectivelydamagethem.
"Let'ssupportthem.Rudi,let'ssimultaneouslyfireoffmagic:onElinalisesan'sside."
"Understood,"
Ipreparemystaff.
WhatI'musingis[RockBullet].
Ifit'srightnow,whenitslegsarestopped,thenitcan'tevade,aswell.
Just,exactlyhowmuchspeeditcanwardoff,Iwon'tknowunlessItryit.
"Talhandsan!"
"Sure!"
Talhandpreparedhisshieldandstoodinfrontofus.
Ifaswordattackcomesflyingtowardsus,itseemsTalhandintendstobethebarrier.
Aslongashedoesn'tdieinstantly,I'lluseadvancedhealingmagic.
Itwouldbegood,aslongashecanavoidgettinghitinavitalpoint.
"[RockBullet],[StoneCannon]!"
"Gallantswordofice,Iseekconvictionofthisone![IcicleEdge]!"
TimingitinsyncwithRoxy,wefiredoffatthesametime.
AbullettypeshellandbladeoficelikeUltraSlashwentflying.[23]
Thearmorinstantlymovedtowardthoseattacksoff.
53/204
4/2/2016
Justastwooftheswordsmoved,andwerepreparingtointercepttheattack,Elinaliseattackedusinghershieldwithgoodtiming,
causingitsstancetocollapse.
Therockbulletblewoffoneofthearmorsarmsandtheicebladedeeplypiercedthechestofthearmor.
Thearmorstoppedmovingandsoonaftercrumbledintoscatteringpieces.
SimultaneouslyPaul'sfightended,aswell.
"Asexpected,afteritreachesArankthenitwon'tsoeasilybedefeated."
ThoughIsaidthat,theactualamountoftimewespentfightingwasjustaboutaminute.
Althoughweweren'tabletodefeatitinasinglehit,itdidntevenentertherealmofahardfight.
AsexpectedofonewhohasreachedAdvancedwithallthreeofthemajorswordsmanshipstyles.
Intermsoftalent,I'msureitwasenoughthathecouldhavemadeittothelevelofSaint.
No,inreality,PaulmightalreadybeasstrongasaSaintrank.
Somethinglikethestrengthsofpeoplecan'tbemeasuredwellintermsofrankafterall.
"Tousan,coulditbe,you'vegottenabitstrongersincelasttime?"
Ah,nogood,
Isaidsomethingthatmightmakehimgetfullofhimself.
Agrandstoryofbraggingmightstartup.
"Hn?No,that'snotthecasealmosttothepointthatIfeelweakerthanmeinthepast."
However,withoutevengrinning,Paulonlytookoneglanceoverhere,andthenfacedahead.
"Now,withoutbeingnegligent,let'sgo."
WithPaul'swords,Icametomysenses.
That'sright.
Rightnow,we'reinthemiddleofalabyrinth,wehavenochoiceotherthantostayonguard.
Nevertheless,Paultodaysureiscool.
I'msureifIweretotellNornabouttheseadventureswithPaul,shewouldbedelighted.
"Ohmy?"
Bychance,ElinalisepeekedatPaul'sface.
Andthenputherhandtohermouthandlightlylaughed.
"OhPaulyou,whatareyougrinningabout?It'sdisgusting."
"It'sfineforyounottoputthosekindsofthingsintowords."
"YoumusthavebeenquitehappytobepraisedbyRudeus,weren'tyou?Iunderstandit.[Giggle]."
"Shutitwon'tyoubesilent?"
Iretractmypreviousstatement.
AsIthought,PaulisbeingPaul.
54/204
4/2/2016
Afterthat,wedefeatedanumberofArmoredWarriorsandMadSkulls,andthenwedecidedtoreturn.
Walkingback,ittookroughly15hours.
Asexpected,labyrinthssurearetimeconsuming.
IwonderifZenithisallright,aswereslowlyprogressinglikethis.
No,beingimpatientandbecomingstranded,asRoxydid,orworse,aresomethingstoavoid.
Wemustmovewithcaution.
Rightnow,itseemstobegoingwell.
Whileremainingtense,we'renotoverlyjumpywestillhavesomeleewayinmind.
Ourconditionisthegreatestbalance.
Continuingjustlikethisisforthebest,I'msure.
Part3
Afterreturningonce,we'llinspectourequipmentandsuch,andthenwe'llcomeback.
Afterreturning,westartedameetingrightaway.
Andfromthere,weproceededtobuyanumberofessentialthings.
Sincewewererunningoutofscrollsforthelightspirits,Istarteddrawingmore.
AsexpectedoftheLabyrinthCityLapan,theysellparchmentsanddyesfordrawingmagiccircles,soIcanmakethemwithno
problem.
IfImakeonethen,afterthat,Sherasancanlearnanddotherest.
ItseemsSherasandidworkfortheMilisChurch,drawingthingslikescrolls,soit'saspecialtyofhers.
Shesaidshecouldmakeabout50ofthem,workingtoday.
Howdependable.
Gisuboughtsomechemicalsthatwerestrongagainstarmortypemonsters.
Ifyoulandahit,then,supposedlythejointpartscoilupanditsmovementsgetslower.
Sincethey'reheavy,Isuggestedputtingsomethinglikeoilonthegroundtomakethemfall,andGisu,laughing,saidPaulwould
trip.
AfterIrespondedwithan,Isee,helaughedevenmore.
PaulandElinalisewereviewingovertheavailableswordsforsale.
Itseemsthey'researchingforagoodbargainswordforElinalisetouse.
Herestocisamagicitemimbuedwithmagicpower.
Ifyouswingit,ithastheabilitytosendavacuumbladeflyingfromthetip.
But,sincethepreviouslabyrinthrun,it'sinconvenientwhentheopponentsareArmoredWarriors.
Evenifitweren'tforthem,there'stheIronCrawlersaswellusingherestocissomewhatofahardfightagainstarmored
opponents.
Iunderstandthat.
ItseemsthedaggerthatPaulusesinhislefthandisamagicitemboughtinLapan.
Itsabilityis[ArmorBreak]wherethehardertheopponentsarmoris,thesharperthecuttingedgegets.
It'saconsiderablyrareability.
55/204
4/2/2016
Theabilityissouncommonthatthesellerssolditasabargainitem,asthesellerstreatedthedaggerasadullbladeandsaidit
cantevencutdriedmeat.
Paulsaidsomethinglike,"Mykeeninsightnoticedthisswordsability."
However,Iknowit.
Thisabilitywasthesamementionedasawarriorsweaponinthe[LegendofPerugius]thatIreadinBuinavillage.
That,althoughthewarriorsswordcan'tevencutthroughdriedmeat,whenmatchedagainstaclumpofsteeliteasilyslicesitin
halfit'sademonsword.
There'snodoubt.ItcaughtPaul'sattentionatthe"cantevencutdriedmeat"part.
Butwell,itdoesexplainwhyhecandisplaysuchahighattackpoweragainstthoseArmoredWarriors.
Thefactthatit'seffectiveeveninhisnondominanthandmeansitreallyisstrong.
ElinaliseboughtaonehandedGladius.
Theability[ShockWave]imbueswithintheGladius.Whenonepierceswithit,itreleasesaforce.
Thedamageisn'thigh,butitseemslikeyoucanuseitinaninstanttosendtheopponentflyingbackwardsandmakesome
distance.
Sinceit'ssomethingthathasanabilitywithpracticaluse,itseemstohaveaconsiderablyhighprice,but,withseveralround
magiccrystalsfromherbag,Elinaliseboughtit.
Thosemagiccrystals:Howmanydoesshehave?
Duringthenight,TalhandandRoxydrankalcoholtogether.
Andsinceothersconsidermeanadultnow,Icandrinksomealcohol,aswell.
EventhoughIsaythat,it'snotasifIcangetdeaddrunkinfrontofRoxyaswell.
Justtothelevelofsocializing,
Thesubjectwassupposedtobehowtoarrangethethreeofusmagicians,butatsomepoint,itseemedtochangeintoalectureon
whatitmeanstobeamanbyTalhandsensei.
Amanis,inotherwords,muscle,onewithinwhomfleshandaheartofgolddwellsthatkindofstory.
It'snotaconversationformagicianstohave.
However,itwasaconversationofinterest.
That'srightisn'titafterall,it'snogoodifmenaren'tsturdy.
Well,itseemsRoxydidn'tcarearoundthatpointandstartedtogettired.
Itcan'tbehelped.
Afterspendingsuchadayoffandthenbeingtold,"Haveasafetrip,"byLilia,wereenteredthelabyrinth.
Part4
Wewereabletoeasilybreakthroughtothefourthfloor.
Inpart,itwasbecauseofourimprovedequipmentandpreparations,butwewerelucky,aswell.
Wewereabletoarriveatthegoalinalmostastraightline.
Intermsoftime,itwasonlyaboutthreehours,I'dsay.
Wealmostdidn'tencounteranymonsters,aswell.
Temporarily,wereturnedtothefourthfloorandstartedwalkingaroundtofillinthemap.
Afterall,therewasnosightofZenith.
56/204
4/2/2016
Afterthat,wereturnedonceagain,andthenstartedtoclearthefifthfloor.
Inaddition,totheMadSkullandArmoredWarriors,theLittleDevilsappearonthefifthfloor.
LittleDevilsaredemonswithlargemouthswithsharpfangs.
Withlonglimbs,theyclingtotheceilingusingtheirsharpclaws.
IfIweretoputitintoasingleword,theygiveoffacreepyfeeling,kindoflikeacertainAlien.[24]
Althoughitdoesn'thaveafrighteningouterappearancetothatextent,though,LittleDevilsareastrongenemy.
Afterall,theymovebycrawlingalongthecavesceilingandwalls.
Thefactthattheytravelalongtheceilingandwallsmeansthattheformationisuseless.
TheycanpassbyPaulandElinalisefightingtheArmoredWarriorsandcomeuptoourplace.
Aspectaclethatalmostgivesonechills.
Wemanagedtodefendagainstthefirstattack.
TheLittleDevilitselfisn'tverydifficult.
Ithasspeedanditsattackpowerseemshigh,aswell,butitsdefenseislowandit'snottoughatall.
IfweknockitofftheceilingthenElinalisecantaketheinitiativeusinghernewweapon,andthematterendswithnoproblem.
WecandefeattheLittleDevils.
EvenifLittleDevilsareArankanddespitegettingusedtotheireccentricmovements,theArmoredWarriorsarearguablyafar
moredifficultenemywiththeirability.
However,keepingyourgazeaboveisnogood.
Ifyouweretoonlykeepcautiouslywatchingabove,youmightnotnoticethetrapsontheground.
Ifyoucarelesslystepinateleporttrap,there'sthepossibilityyoumightgetteleportedtoastrangeplace,aswell.
"Wellthen,shallweusethat?"
Usuallythisiswherewewouldreturnonceandbetroubledoveritbutwehavethelabyrinthbook.
Inthebook[ExplorationRecordoftheTeleportLabyrinth]there'swrittenagroundbreakingmethodtodealwiththeLittle
Devils.
Theyabsolutelyhatethescentofacertainseed.
TheTarufuroberryissoldasafood,andapparently,ifyouburnitasanincense,theLittleDevilsendupcomingdownfromthe
ceilingtotheground.
Nottomentiontheycrouchclosetotheground,changingtheirposturetobestescapefromtheunpleasantsmoke.
Forthatpurpose,itmakesfightingexceedinglysimple.
Ifit'slikethis,thenletaloneBrank,they'reclosertoCrank,
Theauthorofthisbookreallydidanamazingjobinvestigating.
Sincethat'sthecase,weclearedthefifthfloorinnotimeatall,aswell.
Withoutfindingthemagiccircletothenextfloor,weendeduphavingtowalkaroundquiteabitourgoalisn'ttoclearthe
labyrinthbuttosearchforZenith.
Theresnoproblematall.
Rather,youcouldsayit'sconvenient.
57/204
4/2/2016
Part5
Andthen,wearrivedatthesixthfloor.
"Gisu,howaboutit?"
"Wecandoit."
SkippingthesubjectinresponsetoPaul'squestion,Gisugaveashortreply.
Therewasalmostnoexhaustion.
Preparationswereperfect.
Wehavemomentumrightnowaswell.
"Alright,thenwithoutreturning,we'llkeepgoinglikethis."
"Understood."
Wedidthepreparationsandwe'renotexhausted.
Then,there'snoneedtoreturn.
Theexplorationcontinues.
WebChapter123MagicCircleontheSixthFloor
Part1
Wearrivedonthesixthfloor.
TherewereanexcessivelylargenumberofLittleDevilsonthesixthfloor.
TheappearanceofArmoredWarriorsceasedandit'sbecomenothingbutLittleDevils.
Sincewehavethatoneincense,youcouldsayitsbecomeeveneasier.
However,nevertheless,thenumbersarehuge.
It'salmostenoughtomakeyouwonderwhythere'sthismanyLittleDevils.
Weidentifiedthatreasonafterwemadeittothevicinityoftheinnermostparts.
Intheinnermostparts,theroomscontinuingonthewaytothemagiccircleweretheLittleDevil'snests.
AlargenumberofLittleDevilscrowdedtogetherandinthecornersofeachroom,therewereacountlessnumbersofeggs.
Thosedarkoblongeggs,coveredinmucus,werejustliketheeggsofthatblackandquickfellowjustbylookingatthem,Igot
chills.[25]
Iwonderifitcouldbethat,there'saqueensomewhereandZenithisbeingusedastheseedbed.
ThoughIwashavingsuchscenesfloatintomyimagination,itseemsLittleDevilshavenosuchtrait.
Thoughtheydoseemtobeswarming,theredoesn'tseemtobeanyspecificboss.
However,thenwheredidthesekindsofmonsterscomefromandwherearetheyplanningtogo?
Eventhoughthere'sthisnumberofmonsters,it'snotlikethere'sverymuchfood,either.
"Roxysensei,monsterswhatdotheyeatinordertosurvive?"
58/204
4/2/2016
"Iguessthat'sright.Thereareavarietyoftheories,butit'softensaidthattheylivebyfeedingonmagicpower."
"Magicpower,isit?"
Inforestsandcavesthathaveahighconcentrationofmagicpower,therearemoremonsters,aswell.
Once,Nanahoshisaidthatallmannerofthingsinthisworldhavemagicpowerdwellinginside,aswell.
However,magicpowerisinvisibletothenakedeye.
It'shardtounderstandifitevenexistsornot.
No,forthetimebeing,magicsexistenceshouldbeprovedwiththeMagicPowerEyethatcanseeit.
Supposingitspossibleforthemtoeatmagicpower,thenwhywouldn'ttheyjusttakeabiteoutofselfmademagic?
Ifnot,thereexisttypesofmagicpowerthatmonsterscanandcannotconsume.
Inthepast,IthinkIonceheardfromPaulthatmonsterstargetthemagiccrystalsdeepinsideoflabyrinths.
Iwonderifmagiccrystalsarefeastworthyformonsters.
But,forthattobethecase,itseemslikethemonstersinheredonottargetit.
Itfeelslike,totheend,they'rejustmakingnestsandlivinghere.
Iwonderifthey'recontentwithjustlivinghere.
Well,itreallycan'tbehelped,thinkingaboutthingslikethat.
Afterall,therearemonstersthatclearlycan'teatanythinglikearmor.
It'sfinetoleavetheecologyofmonsterstoamonsterscholar.
"Well,regardlessofwhattheyeat,itdoesn'tchangethefactthattheyattackpeopleonsight.Let'sdestroytheeggsaswefind
them,sincetheyseemlikethey'llbeahindrancethenexttimeweenter."
Whilesayingthat,RoxyindifferentlystartedtodisposeoftheLittleDevileggs.
Withoutusingmagic,
Whileusingadagger,shewentaroundstabbingthem,oneatatime.
It'strulyadryexpression.
Thatisalsogood.
However,Iguessmonstersgivebirthtoeggsaswell.
IwonderifArmoredWarriorshavesomekindoflarvaaswell.
Iwonderifthere'ssomethinglikeanArmoredFeltDolltotteringaroundwithtoylikeswords.
MamaArmorandPapaArmoraresmilingastheywatchovercuteChildArmor.
Then,theyhearanintrudersfootstep,
PapaArmorandMamaArmortelltheirson,stayhidden,andplungeintobattle.
TheonewhoappearsthereisPaul,withademonlikeface.
HethinksofArmorsasnothingbutbugs,slaughteringPapaArmorandMamaArmor.
ChildArmor,seeingthat,startsthinkingofhumansasenemies.AsChildArmorgrowsup,ittransformsintoanArmoredWarrior
monsterthatattackshumansonsight.
Ornot,
"Rudi.Whatareyouthinkingabout?Pleasecomehelpme."
59/204
4/2/2016
"Ah,yes."
JustasRoxytoldme,Iwenttosmashtheeggsaswell.
Connectingtothelargeroom,therewerethreeroomsdenselypackedwitheggs.
Iftheseeggsweretohatch,wouldsomelarvacomeoutthatclingstoaperson'sbody?
Well,there'snosignatallthatthey'regoingtohatch,though.
Afterthat,therewasnosuchhappening,suchasfreshlybornlarvaattackingRoxy'sbody,andwefinishedcleaningup.
Part2
Andthenwearrivedattheinnermostroom.
Thefinalplacethatwaswrittenaboutinthebook.
Awideroom.
Itwasaroommadeofstone.
Itssquareand,excludingtheentrance,infrontofeachwallthereweremagiccircles.
However,theinstantweentered,wefeltthestrangenessofit.
Inhere,nothingexistsbeyondthemagiccircles.
Justbeforethisroom,therewasalargequantityofLittleDevils.
Enoughthatyouwouldthinktherewereover100LittleDevils,aswellastheireggs.
Eventhoughthat'sthecase,inheretherearejustthemagiccircles.
It'salmostasifsomethingprotectedtheroom,likesomesortofsacredground.
"It'sbeforetheprotectorGuardian,isn'tit?"
"Withthisatmosphere,Iwouldsayso."
"Itwouldbegoodifweremainonguard."
Paul,Elinalise,andRoxywhilesayingthat,alltightlygrippedtheirweapons.
InfrontoftheBossroom,Iwonderifalllabyrinthshavethiseerieatmosphere.
"Wellthen,Iwonderwhichleadstowhere...
Gisuwentaroundcheckingeachofthemagiccirclesoneatatime,whileholdingthebookinonehand.
Therestofuswereonstandbyattheentrance.
"I'llhelpout."
"Sure,that'llhelp."
Forthetimebeing,Iparticipatedincheckingtheteleportationmagiccircles.
And,forsomereason,Roxyfollowedalongbehindme,aswell.
IfRoxyishere,thenit'sreassuring.
"Howaboutit?"
"Theygiveoff...thesamefeelingaswritten."
60/204
4/2/2016
Gisu,afterasking,comparedeachofthemagiccirclestothebook.
Eachofthethreemagiccirclesinorder,
Thebookhasitwrittendownlikethis:
"Therearethreemagiccircles.
Weimmediatelyunderstoodthattwoofthosewouldcausearandomteleportation.
Forthatsake,weplacedastonemarkerinfrontofthemagiccirclethatwebelievedtobethecorrectchoiceandsteppedontoit.
However,thatwasatrap.
Wewerethrownintoastrangeroom.
Itwasaroomfilledwithdarkandelongatedbodieddemons.
Right,itwasthenestofLittleDevils.Theinstanttheysawus....
Wesoonfoundthestonetheyusedasamarker.
Afistsizedstonehadbeencleanlypolished.
Onthesurfaceofthat,thedigitsixwascarved.
Itwassomethingthatwasn'tonthefloorsuntilnow.
"Somehow,it'smoving,isn'tit?"
"Youthinkso?Itfeelsominous.Listenwell,senpai,thesesortsoflegaciesofpartiesthatwereannihilatedaren'tgoodatall."
"IsthatJinx?"
"Right,it'sJinx."
"Well,it'snotliketheywereannihilatedthough,right...
Whilesayingthat,Itookagoodlookatthemagiccircleinfrontofme.
ItresembledthetwowaymagiccirclesthatI'vesteppedonanumberoftimesuntilnow.
But,thisisdifferent.
Ifyousteponthisthenyou'llberandomlyteleported.
Orelse,maybeallofthecontentsofthisroomthrownsomewhere,
Then,oneoftheremainingtwoshouldbethecorrectanswer.
However,thesetwoveryclearlyhavethetraitsofrandomteleportmagiccirclesshowing.
"Rudi,doyouunderstand?"
AfteraskedbyRoxy,Ishookmyhead.
"No,notatall.ThoughifitwasNanahoshi,thenshemightunderstand."
"Nanahoshi?Whoisthat?"
"IntheMagicUniversityit'ssomeonethat'sresearchingteleport...orrathersummoning.Sinceshe'sknowledgeableaboutmagic
circles,aswell,shemighthavebeenabletocommentonit."
"CoCoulditbeshe'sRudi'slover?"
"Nanahoshi?Noway...
61/204
4/2/2016
Afterlaughing,whilesayingthat,maybeifNanahoshiwereherethen,orelseSylphy,otherwisemaybeCliffthen.
Iendedupthinkinglikethat.
NanahoshiandSylphywereimpossible,butitmighthavebeengoodtobringalongCliff.
Evennow,wecouldstillreturnandbringhimback.
Bothwaysitwouldtakeaboutthreemonths.
SinceCliffisn'tusedtotraveling,thenfourmonths.
No,evenifweweretobringCliffalong,hemightjusttellusthathedoesn'tknow,aswell.
"JustincaseIdidsomeresearchonteleportationintheMagicUniversityaswell,though,asembarrassingasitis,Idon't
understanditatall."
"Researchonteleportation?"
"Yeah."
"Iseenow,asexpectedofRudi.Withoutblindlysearchingatrandom,doingsomethingliketryingtofindoutthesource.It'snot
somethingthatcanbedoneeasily."
Itseemsthere'sbeensomemisunderstanding,thoughIsearchedthesourcefollowingtheadviceoftheHitogamiinordertocure
myimpotency.
Sincethatmotivewasimpure,it'snotsomethingthatIreallywanttotellRoxy.
Let'skeepithidden.
...AsastudentofRoxysensei,then,it'sonlynatural."
"Evenifyouflatterme,nothingwillcomeofit."
Inspectingeachofthemagiccircleshadended.
"HowaboutitSenpai,haveyouunderstoodanything?"
"No,notatall."
Inthefirstplace,allofmyknowledgeaboutteleportmagiccirclescomesfromthisbook.
Aslongastheanswerisn'twritteninthatbook,it'soutsideofmyknowledge.
No,ofcourse,Ididresearchthingsregardingteleportationoutsideofthataswell,though.
Idon'tknowthingsthatIdon'tknow.
AllIknowisthethreeteleportmagiccirclesinfrontofmyeyesare"differentthings.
Eventhen,IsawalargequantityofNanahoshi'smagiccircles.
Thethingsknownasmagiccircles,ifyouchangethedetailsthentheeffectisdifferent.
Therefore,Icanjustsaythis.
"Ifthingswritteninthebookaretrue,thenthatwouldbeoneoftheseisthecorrectanswer,though."
"Inotherwords,Senpaidoesn'tknoweither."
"That'swhatitcomesdownto."
Ireturntotheentranceoftheroom.
Paulandtheothersthereinthemiddleofthebreakweresittingdowninacircle.
62/204
4/2/2016
Ireportedallofthethingsthatweinvestigated,asaccuratelyasIcould.
"Chehmultiplechoiceisit."
"...It'smultiplechoice."
"Multiplechoicehuh,really"[26]
Paul,Elinalise,andTalhandwereallmakingbadfaces.
"Multiplechoicesaredangerous...aren'tthey?Ifit'slikethis,theneventhreeoptionswouldbebetter."
Gisusaidwhilelookingupattheceiling,somethinglikewhataweird,hatwearinggangstermighthavesaid.[27]
Iwonderiftheyhavesomekindofbadmemoryinrelationtomultiplechoices.
Itseemspossible.
"Isthatajinx,aswell?"
"Yeah,it'sajinx.Whenitcomestomultiplechoices,ifwedon'tletGhyslaineselectthem,itwillfail."
Withthosewords,Paulandtheothersallnoddedsaying,"Right,that'strue."
Ghyslaine,huh?
I'veheardanostalgicname.
But,certainlyforher,whoisoftheBeastrace,itseemsshewouldhavethatsenseofsmell.
"Ghyslaine,huh,atthesesortoftimes,it'smissingwithouther."
"Eventhoughshe'sonlyusefulatthesesortoftimes...
"Inthemiddleofbattlewithoutlisteningtodirectionssheplungesin,shecan'tunderstandthingspeoplesay.Unabletoreador
docalculations,whenshecan'tunderstandwhatpeoplearetalkingaboutshequicklysnaps.Butstrangelywhenitcomesto
multiplechoiceshealwaysgetsthemcorrect."
That'sacruelwayofsayingit.
IfeelpitytowardsGhyslainehearingthat.
ForthetimebeingsincesheisoneofmyrespectedShishoaswell,I'dlikethemtostopthere.
"Pleasepardonher,sinceshecanalreadyread,write,anddocalculationsnow,afterall."
Ghyslaineputineffortforit,aswell.
She'sachildthatkepttrippingupasshewentupthemultiplicationtables,butshegaveitherbestandevenlearnedupto
division.[28]
"Ha...IheardaboutthatfromPaul,butIwon'tbedeceived.There'snowaythatinukorocoulddosomethinganordinaryperson
can."[29]
"Iheardthatpreviouslyaswell,buthonestly,Ican'tbelieveiteither."
ElinaliseandTalhandweredeeplyindoubt.
SinceGhyslainewasconsiderablydifficulttoteachafterall,Iunderstand,though.
However,itfeelsstrange,aswell.
WithallofPaul'spreviouspartymemberslinedup,onlyGhyslaineismissing.
63/204
4/2/2016
EventhoughGhyslainewastheonlyonewhokeptincontactwithPaulaftertheincident,aswell,
TheonlypersonamongPaulandtheothersthatIknewfromBuinaVillageisn'tinthisplace.
Yeah,it'sstrange.
"Ratherthansomethinglikethat,whatarewegoingtodo?"
WithGisu'swords,wereturnedtothetopic.
Therearetwomagiccircles.
Whichoneshouldweenter,huh?
"Rudi,evenyoucouldn'tfigureitout?"
AfteraskedbyPaul,Ishookmyhead.
"Yeah.EventhoughIinvestigateditbeforehandatschool,pleaseexcusemeforthat."
"Isee..."
Paulcrossedhisarms,closedhiseyes,andponderedoverit.
Andthen,beforeevenoneminutehadpassedheraisedhisface.
"Fornow,let'strytakingamajorityvotetocheck.Fromwhatwecanseehere,thosewhothinktherightmagiccircleisgood,
raiseyourrighthandandthosewhothinktheleftmagiccirclewouldbegood,raiseyourlefthand."
WithPaul'swords,everyoneraisedtheirhands.
Paul,Elinalise,Roxywereright,Gisu,Talhand,andIwereleft.
Three.Wetied,eachatthree.
"ChehIfit'slikethis,thenwecan'tdecideit."
"Umm,Tousan.Asexpected,Idon'tknowaboutdecidingitusingmajorityrule."
"EvenifyousaysomethinglikethatThen,isthereanyonewhohasanidea?"
WithPaul'swords,Elinaliseraisedherhand.
"Howaboutenteringbothofthem,oneatatime,simultaneously?"
"Areyousayingtosacrificesomeoneamongus?"
"IfitwerePaulorI,thenmakinguseoftheincenseweshouldbeabletosomehoworothermanagetocutoutfromacrowdof
LittleDevils."
Enteringbothofthemagiccircles,oneatatime,andthentheonethat'sthecorrectanswerwillreturn.
Andthen,ifweimmediatelystartsearchingforthemistakenone,there'sthepossibilitywesettlethingswithoutproblemsas
well.
"It'srejected."
"Ohmy,Rudeus,isitfinetohearthereason?"
"Forstarters,there'snoguaranteethateitherofthosemagiccirclesisthecorrectone."
Theyappeartoberandomteleports.
Unexpectedly,there'sthepossibilitythatbothofthosetwoaretrapsaswell.
64/204
4/2/2016
Allthreeofthemaretraps.
Thecorrectanswerisadifferentroom.
Ofcourse,thatpossibilityislow.
Accordingtothebook,fundamentallyafteryou'vefoundalloftheroomsthenyou'llbeabletoproceedtothenextfloor.
Ifwe'retobelievetheauthor,thisisthefinalroom.
However,whetheritspositioningorshape,thesemagiccirclesseemdifferentandgiveoffanartificialfeeling.
That'sright,I'mcaughtonsomething.
Iwonderifitwouldreallyjustcomedowntoasimplemultiplechoiceofluck.
Ifthey'vegoneoutofthewaytoprepareafaketwowaymagiccircle,thenwouldn'titbefinefortheretobejustoneotherasthe
realthingIwonder?
Astheanswertoapuzzle,isn'thavingthreeofthemjustpointless,Iwonder.
No,it'snotasifit'sanescapegamethere'snoobligationforthelabyrinthtohavepreparedahint,Iguess.
"Then,Rudeus.Doyouhaveanykindofideas?"
"No,butjustabitlonger,won'tyouwaitabitlongertocometoaconclusion?"
But,I'mcaughtonsomething.
IhavethefeelingthatI'mforgettingsomething.
UntilIrememberthat,Ifeelthatsimplysteppingfootononeofthetwooptionsisdangerous.
Themomenttwopeoplestepfootonthem,there'sthepossibilitythateveryoneintheroomwillbeteleportedatrandom,aswell.
Intheteleportlabyrinth,ifyoudon'tmakeuseofteleportationyoucan'tgetaround.
Theremightevenbearoomyoucanonlyreachusingarandomteleport,aswell.
"Iwanttotryinvestigatingitabitmore."
Irequestedthat,and
"Alright,Rudi.We'llleaveittoyou."
Beforeanyoneelsedid,Paulwasthefirstonetoagree.
Part3
Iwassittinginfrontofthemagiccirclethinkingaboutit.
Allthreeofthesemagiccirclesarefakes.
Forthetimebeing,I'mdeducingthatassumption.
Aftersittingdownandgivingitsomethought,threethingsfloatedtomind.
One.Thepossibilitythatthisroomisn'tthelaststop.
Accordingtothebook,theTeleportLabyrinthworksonacertainrule.
65/204
4/2/2016
Theruleisthemainroutefollowsjusttwowaymagiccircles.
Followingwiththatassumption,thereshouldn'tbeanymistake:thisisthefinalstop.
However,whereRoxywaswanderingaround,itwasacavernthatyoucan'tenterwithoutusingatwowaymagiccircle.
Insideofthatcavern'smaze,Roxyhadoverthirtyonewaymagiccirclesthatshewasforcedtotryinordertoreturntothetwo
waymagiccircle.
Furthermore,therealfinalstopmightbeaheadofatleastoneonewaydirectionalmagiccircle.
Though,Ifeeltheprobabilityofthatislow.
Two.Inaplacewheretheauthorofthebookdidn'trealizeit,justbeforeadifferentmembersteppedonatrap,
Theauthorofthebookthoughttheysteppedfootonthetwowaymagiccircle,butinrealitythatwasn'tthecase.
Becauseoftherandomteleportationthatadifferentmembersteppedon,theentireroomteleportedtoadifferentplace.
Whichiswhy,followingthispremise,thistwowaymagiccircleisthecorrectanswer.
...Idon'tthinkso.
Ifthereweresuchatrap,I'msureGisuwouldhavefoundit.
Three.Actually,thistwowaymagiccirclehasaseconddegreetoit.
Magiccircleshaveavarietyofshapes.
Adoughnutshapedmagiccircleit'spossiblethere'sthatsortoftypeaswell.
Atrapteleportmagiccircleconcentricallyoutsidethecorrectanswerteleportmagiccircle.
Iwonderifthereisn'tthatsortofpossibility,aswell.
Inotherwords,it'snottheexteriorifyoujumpontotheinnermostcircle,arrivalonthenextfloorispossible.
That'sstupid.FromwhatplacesIkkyusanisthis.[30]
Eliminatingtheimpossible,allthatexistsis,afterall,thefirstoption.
Justastheauthorofthebooksaidfundamentally,youneedtotakeabidirectionalone.
Afterdiscoveringthattherearethreevarietiesonthefirstfloor,evenuptothethirdorfourthfloor,weneverusedeitheroneway
orrandomones.
Withjustthat,wewereabletomakeithere.
However,fromhereon,youmightneedtousenotjusttwowayteleports,butsomeonewayteleports,aswell.
..But,ifitcomestothat,thenitmightnotjustbehere.
It'spossiblethatwherewearerightnowisadeadendaswell.
Saytheforkexistedevenmorepreviously.Forexample,aheadofaonewaymagiccircleonthefourthfloormighthavebeenthe
trueend.
Damnit...it'sstartingtogetallmixedup.
Inthefirstplace,whatdecidedthemainpath?Whetheritisthefloornumberortheappearanceofthemonstersaswepassedby,
Technically,theauthorofthebookdefinedthecorrectpath.
Theoriginalrule[31]aswell,mighthavebeenacompletelyunrelatedcoincidence.
Afterall,Iwonderifdecidinginthatdirectionwouldbebetter.
66/204
4/2/2016
Startingfromthesixthfloor,westarttestingouteachoftheonewayteleportcircles,defeatthemonstersahead,andsearchfora
differentroute.
Ihavethefeelingthisisthecorrectanswer.
But,lookattheatmosphereofthisroom.
Alloftheveteransinthepartyfeltitandsaid,"Thebossiscloseahead."
Afterall,Ifeelthatthisisaspecialplace.
Ifeelthatit'scorrectthatthisroomisthelaststop,aswell.
No,thatmightbeatrapinthelabyrinth,aswell.
Hmmm,
"There'snoendtoit,unlessIsayit."
Istandupwhilesayingthat.
Needtogotothebathroomreallyquick.
"Tousan."
"Whatisit?"
"I'mgoingtowatertheflowersforabit."
"Apiss,huh,I'llgoaswell."
"Sayingsomethinglikepiss,howvulgarinfrontofwomen...
"Whatdoyouplantodobysmoothingitoverinthiskindofplace?"
Nolook,infrontofRoxyisabit
IfeellikeIcan'tmakemistakes.
No,thoughsomethinglikegoingtothebathroom,Iguessitdoesn'tmatterwhereshethinksIdoit.
TogetherwithPaul,Ilefttheroom.
WewentintotheroomwithLittleDevilcorpsesandtheruinsoftheeggs.
Wecanjustpickasuitableplaceinhere.
WhilealternatingwithPaulonlookouthere,wetookcareofourbusiness.
"It'sdifficult,isn'tit?"
Paulcalledouttome,whileIwasspacingout.[32]
"Yeah,Iwashavingsecondthoughtscomeup,asifthisroomisn'tonthemainroute.Iftheremightactuallybeadifferentroute
and,ifwedon'tgothere,thenweneverarriveintheplacewherethebossis,maybe."
"That'snotthecase.There'snomistakethatroomisthelaststop."
"What'syourbasis?"
"None."
None,inotherwordsintuition,huh.
However,youcan'treallyridiculetheintuitionofaveteranaswell.
67/204
4/2/2016
Evenifitseemscompletelyunfounded,itmightactuallybeasubconsciousconjecturebasedonactualexperienceafterall.
"Well,there'snoneedtohurry.Tousanandtheotherswillwaitforyou.Ifyouhaveanydoubts,thenaskandwe'llrespondas
well.Don'ttrytocometoanansweronyourown."
"Yes."
IputaclosetomybusinessandchangedwithPaul.
Whilestandingonlookout,Iviewedmysurroundings.
"Ah,andalsoRudiThere'sonethingI'dliketosay,though."
"Whatisit?"
"Ah,No,Iguessthisisfine,fornow.It'ssomethingI'llsaywhenwereturntotheinn."
"Whatisitpleasestopwiththat.Ifyougosayingsomethinglikethat,inthislabyrinth,itjustbringsupfeelingsofunease.
Thosesortsofthingsarecalleddeathflags,youknow."
"Whatisthat?IfIsayitrightnow,itmightaffectthemoraleoftheparty."
ItiltedmyheadtothevoiceIheardfrombehind.
Somethingthatmightaffectthemorale,
Iwonderifthereissomething.
MaybeinsecurityregardingZenith,
Orelse,somethingthatwillmaketheatmosphereoftheplaceworse,
"Ofthepreachingtype?"
"Wellyeah.Somethingsimilartothat."
"Certainly,ifIwastogetdownanditdulledourmovementsitwouldbeterribleafterall.Feelfreetotellmeoffalot
afterwards."
"HehWell,it'snotthatkindofscolding.Iwasjustgoingtotellyouapieceofadvicetoprepareyourselfon."
Afterwereturntotheinn,huh,
ItwouldbegoodifwecouldhavesavedZenithbythattime.
"Kaasan.Itwouldbegoodifshe'ssafe."
"....That'sright."
ItwassomethingIjustmutteredoutanditmadethemoodheavy.
Thisisnogood.
But,eventhoughwe'vesearchedthismuch,there'snoend.
I'msurePaulisfeelinglikeitmightalreadybenogoodaswell.
It'sprobablybetterifIdon'tputitintowords.
""
WhilelisteningtothesoundofPaul'slongpissIlookaroundthesurroundings.
Thelargeroomandthethreeroomscoveredineggs.
Andtheninnermostroomwithmagiccircles,
Allofthemareadjacent.
68/204
4/2/2016
I'mcaughtonsomething.
"Thisroomisn'titconsiderablyoblong?"
"Hn?Iguessso,whataboutthat?"
Thisroomisoblong.
Thewidthisvast,becausetherearemanybodies,itmightappearsquare,butit'slonginlength.
It'sarectangleshape.
Thosetwolongsides,eachofthemhavetworooms.
Thoughallofthemhavedifferentsizes,
However,somethingI'veseenbefore.
Justrecently,
Andthen,somethingisinsufficient.
"Ah."
Irealizedit.
Thisplacelookssimilartothe"TeleportRuins.
"Alright,shallwereturnand,heyRudi,whatareyoudoing?"
Paulsentapuzzledsidelongglanceatme,wequicklyreturnedtotheroomwiththepartymembers.
IcalledouttoGisu,whowaslayingdownlikealargeBuddha.
"Gisusan,pleasecomehelpme."
"Hn,ah?Didyoufindsomething?"
"It'sfine,so,overhere."
IpulledGisuovertothevicinityofthecenteroftheroom.
"Pleasetrysearchingaroundthisareaforahiddenstairway."
"Haa...No,it'spossible.Untilnow,allwesawwereteleporttraps.But,Isupposeitmightbepossiblethatthere'ssomethinglike
ahiddenroom,aswell."
Gisucametoanunderstandingonithimself,gotonallfours,andstartedsearchingthefloor.
Andthen,soonaftermadeafaceofshockandputhiseartotheground.
Hetookouthisdaggerandtappeditagainsttheground.
"Heyhereit'shere!Senpai.Underneathhere,it'shollow."
"Canyougetitopen?"
"Waitjustaminute."
Gisutriedtouchingaroundhereandthereonthefloor.
Hemovedaroundthewalltouchingaround.
69/204
4/2/2016
Andthenreturned,
"It'snogood,itwon'topenup.It'sprobablythetypeyouhavetowrenchopen."
"Isthereanyproblemwithbreakingit?"
"YeahTheresnotrap.Allright.Senpai,doit.It'shere."
WhilesayingthatGisucarvedamarkonthefloor.
Iaimedthereandlaunchedarockbullet.
[Gan]asoundwasoutandthebulletsmashed,dentingthefloor.
Iguessthatwastooweak,huh.
"Justabitstronger,youcandoit,right?"
"Yes."
JustasIwastold,Iraisedthepowerandfiredoncemore.
Alarge[Bagon]soundletoutandaholeopenedupintheground.
"Alright,leavetheresttome."
Gisuimmediatelygotonallfoursandstartedremovingtherubble.
Ifyoujustopenupaholetherestissimpleitseems.
Innotimeatall,Gisuspreadouttheholeanditchangedintoasquaredownwardsentrance.
Whatappearedwasstairsthatleaddown.
"AmazingAsexpectedofsenpai,yougetitwell."
"Well,sinceI'veseenitoncebeforeafterall."
Theteleportruins.
Therewerefourroomswithnothingatallandasingleroomwithstairsleadingdown.
However,Iwonderiforiginallyitjustappearedtobefourroomswithnothingatall.
Iwonderif,justlikenow,thestairsleadingtotheroomwiththeteleportmagiccirclewereconcealed.
Duringtheperiod,thoseruinswereused,ineachoftheroomstheremighthavebeenfurnitureanditmighthavebeenmadeto
appearthattherewasnosuchhiddenstairway.
Thatdeterioratedoverthepassingofyears,otherwisemaybeOrsteddestroyeditorsomethinganditendedupinthatshape.
"Alright,everyone,senpaifoundsomehiddenstairsforus!"
WithGisu'svoice,theothermembersallstoodup.
Aftercomingovertohereandlookingatthestairs.
Andthen,"Oh~"theyletoutvoicesofadmiration.
"Gahahaha,you'regood!"
"Ow."
Talhandwassolidlyhittingmybackwhilelaughing.
70/204
4/2/2016
"Asexpectedofmyson!"
"Ouch."
Paulhitmybackaswell.
"Iseenow,cometothinkofit,thisplacelookssimilartotheteleportruinsdoesn'tit!"
"Ow."
Elinalisehitmeaswell.
"Oh,andwaitjustasecond.Theremightbeatrap.Senpai,handoveraboutthreescrolls!"
Gisuhitmeaswell,whilesayingthat.
""
Afterturningaround,itwasjustRoxyraisinghersmallhandintheair.
Afterhereyesmetupwithmine,whilelookingatmewithupturnedeyes,shesuddenlyspeedilytouchedmyback.
"Goodwork,"
Roxywhisperedoutthosewords.
Thatexpressionhadjustabitofmortifiedfeeltoit.
Iwonderifherdiscipleplayinganactiverolebotheredher.
SinceallofmyachievementsarethesameasRoxy'sachievements,afterall,thereshouldn'tbeanythingtobotherRoxy.
Allright,iftheadventuresfromthistimearetalkedaboutinthefuture,I'llsayitwasactually,becauseRoxygavemehints.
"Alright,wecangoonahead,everyone,stayonguard."
"Yeah!
WithGisu'svoice,everyonenodded.
Afterdescendingthestairsahead,therewasateleportmagiccircle.
Atwowayteleportmagiccircle.
However,itscolorwasabloodlikered.
WebChapter124GuardianoftheTeleportLabyrinth
Part1
Aredmagiccircle.
Untilnow,allI'veseenwereteleportmagiccirclesthatgaveoffabluishwhitelight,butit'sred.
Red,acolorrepresentingdanger.
TherearesuchwordsasRedZoneaswell.
Thatis,willleadtoadangerousplace.
71/204
4/2/2016
"It'saheadofthis."
TheonewhomuttersoutthosewordsisPaul.
I'msurethatwasanutteranceofintuition.
IwonderifZenithwillbethere,orelseiftheGuardianProtectorwillbethere.
However,strangelythere'safeelingofconviction.
Aheadofthismagiccircleisthefinalpartofthelabyrinth.
"Whatshouldwedo,Paul?Westillhavesomeleeway,butreturningoncefirstisanoption,aswell."
Thesixthfloorwaseasy.
ThankstotherootsofTarufuro,theLittleDevilswerethesameassmallfries.
Weneverhadtouseanythinginparticularitwouldn'tevenbeastretchtosaythatourenergyisfull.
Werelaxedquiteabitintheroomjustbefore,aswell.
"...No,we'llproceed.Let'sinspectourequipment."
"Understood."
AfterhearingPaul'sdecision,everyonesitsdowntocheckhisorherequipment.Ontheoccasion,Itakeoffmyequipment.
Istartinspectingitmorecarefullythanusual.
"Look,Rudiaswell."
AfterRoxytellsmethat,Isitdownaswell.
Itakeoutallofmybelongingsfrommybagandlinethemuponthegroundtoconfirm.
Ihavefewbelongings.
Atmost,Ijustpossessanumberofthespiritscrolls.
"Rudi,myscrolls,doyouwanttotakesomeofthem?"
Justinthecasesomethingcomesup,Roxyiscarryinganumberofscrolls.
They'reAdvancedlevelmagicscrolls.
Throughshorteningincantations,withaconsiderablereturnratio,shecanuseanumberofmagic.
EventhoughIsaythat,Advancedmagicrequiresasomewhatlongincantationinordertocastit.
Sincethebattlemaycomedowntothat,atimemaycomeupwhereyoucan'tcastintime.
It'satrumpcardforthattime.
"Iguessso,thenhowaboutseveralhealingmagicscrolls?"
"Yes."
SinceIcanusemagicchantless,Idon'tneedAdvancedlevelmagicscrolls.
However,healingmagicisdifferent.
Ishouldholdontothese,justinthecaseaworstcasescenariohappens.
Forexample,incasetheGuardiancrushesmythroatorlung.
72/204
4/2/2016
AfterreceivingsomeIntermediatehealingmagicscrollsfromRoxy,Ifoldthemupandputthemintothepocketofmyrobe.
IfIdon'tusethem,I'llreturnthem.
I'dliketotakeoneandreturnhomewithit,thenhaveNanahoshiorCliffreproducethem.
No,reproducingthemwithoutpermissionwasprohibited,wasn'tit?
Thoughpersonally,Idon'tthinktheportionIusewillbeexposed.
"Idon'tknowwhatkindofGuardianProtectortherewillbe,butwehaveplentyofcombatpotential,Rudi.Soyoudon'tendup
needingtousethosescrolls,let'scoveryouwithallourpower."
"I'minyourcare.SomehowIhaveahabitoffreezingup,sowhenthetimecomesdowntoit,pleasehelpme."
"Yes,pleaseleaveyourbacktome."
Whilesayingthat,Roxyhitherownsmallchestwitha[Ton].
Howreliable.
"Rudeus,Roxy."
Andthenthere,Elinalisetossessomethingovertous.
Aftercatchingwhatshethrows,Inoticeitwasacircularstone,almostlikeamarble.
ThesamekindofmagiccrystalthatElinalisecarriesanumberof,
"Ifyourunoutofmagicpower,pleaseusethat."
"Isitfine?"
"It'sjustaloan.Ifyoudon'tuseit,pleasereturnitafter."
"Ah,yes.Understood."
Runningoutofmagicpowertowardstheendofexploringalabyrinthispossible.
But,normallyatatimelikethat,youretreat.
Afterall,forthatreason,youmakesuretoexterminatetheenemiescompletelyintheroomsbehindyou.
Afterescapingandwaitingforyourmagicpowertorecover,yourechallengetheGuardianProtector.
However,therearetimeswhenyoucan'tescapefromtheGuardian,aswell,
Ifabosstrapsyouinaplacelikeacompetitionfield,youcan'tleaveuntilyoudefeatit.
Itseemstherearecaseslikethat,aswell.
Theredmagiccircleinfrontofoureyesappearstobetwoway.
However,inrealityitmightactuallybeoneway.
Asexpected,it'sprobablynotrandom.
"Alright,iseveryoneprepared?"
WithPaul'svoice,weallstandup.
Afterlooking,everyone'sfacesaretense.
I'llputsomespiritintoitasIgo,aswell.
73/204
4/2/2016
"Rudi."
"Whatisit?"
"ThoughIdofeelit'sbadtosaysomethinglikethisnow,though,"
Ah,thisisadeathflag.
"Then,pleasedon'tsayit."
"Su,Sure...
Paulmakesadepressedface.
Themoralemighthavedecreasedabit.
No,importantthingsaren'tsomethingyousayrightbeforeadecisivebattle.
Thosesortsofthingsarefineafterwereturn.
"Alright,let'sgo."
Afterlookingateachother,weallsimultaneouslysteponthemagiccircle.
Part2
Aheadofwhereweleftthemagiccircle,isatremendouslywideroom.
IfIweretosayitinafewwords,itsagianttempleroom.[33]
Ithasarectangularshapeandisroughlyapalacehall,andasvastasabaseballfield.
Alongtheedgesoftheroom,thereareanumberofthickpillarsstandingup.
Theceilingishighenoughupthatyouhavetostrainyournecktolookup.
Thegroundturnsintosomethingliketile,everytileengravedwithanintricatereliefcarving,oranetchedimageprojectingon
eachtile.
"Oh??!"
Deepintheinteriorpartofthatashenpalaceisasinglemonster.
Itisgigantic.
I'veneverfoughtamonsterthislargebefore.
ThesizeisroughlytwotimeslargerthanaRedDragon.
Evenfromadistance,Icouldtellthatithassparklingemeraldgreenscales.
Itstorsoisshortbutwidespread.
Fromthere,anumberofheadsbranchout.
"AHydra,forreal,it'smyfirsttimeseeingone..."
IhearGisu'smurmur.
Right,it'saHydra.
74/204
4/2/2016
AgiganticmultiheadeddragonIcountnineheads.
"There?!"
But,wherePaul'seyesstopisn'tattheHydra.
BeyondtheHydra,
TheinnermostroombehindtheprotectingHydra...
Thereisavisiblemagiccrystal.
Itisanemeraldgreenmagiccrystaloftremendoussize.
LargeenoughtomakethemarblelikemagiccrystalsthatElinalisecarriesseemworthless.
Amagiccrystalintheshapeofacrystalabouttwometers(6and1/2feet)insize.
I'veneverseenamagiccrystalofthissize,untilnow.
However,that'sfine,aswell.
Thesizedoesn'tmatteratall.
Ratherthansomethinglikethat,insideofthemagiccrystal,
Insideofthemagiccrystal,
Sheisthere.
Zenithis,
Trappedinsideofthemagiccrystal,[34]
"Zenith!"
Paulshoutsout.
Simultaneously,thethoughtsof"Why?"cometomymind.
Whydiditbecomelikethat?
Whyissheinsideofamagiccrystal?
BeforeIcouldputmydoubtsintowords,Paulrunsahead,dualwieldingswordsinbothhands.
TheHydraslowlyraisesupandturnsitsnecks.
Part3
"Youidiot!Don'tbesohasty!"
IhearGisu'sshout.
"..!!"
AlongwithElinaliseclickinghertongue,shedashesafterPaul.
Continuingalong,Talhandstartsrunningaswell.
Elinalisecouldn'tcatchupwithPaul,whohadarunningstart.
"I'mgoingtocoverthem!"
75/204
4/2/2016
Roxyshouts.
There,IreturntomyselfandaimmystaffwiththeHydraastheopponent.
First,weneedtodefeattheenemy.
Defeatitinasinglehit.
Ichargemy[RockBullet]enoughthatitisabletoblowawayevenaDemonLordinasinglehit.
"QuietFistoftheIceMan,[FrostNova]!"[35]
RoxystartsincantingIntermediatemagicandispreemptivelyattacking,aswell.
AclusterofcoldairovertakesPaulatatremendousspeedandimpacts,
[Hi~n!]
Justbeforeimpact,anearsplittingsound,likesomethingscratchingonglass,resoundsthegianttemple
"Wha!!"
Roxy'svoiceandhereyesarewideopen.
Thereisn'tevenasinglescratchontheHydra.
Isitstrongagainstice?
Bytheinstantsuchathoughtfloatedthroughmymind,PaulisarrivingattheHydra.
"[RockCannonball]!"
IfiretheRockBulletIhadbeencharging.
Thesharpenedbulletflieswhilereleasingahighpitchedsound[Kyuin].
ItpassesabovePaulwhowasafewstepsfromreachingtheHydra.
ItimpactsontheHydra.
[Hi~n!]
Again,thatunpleasantsoundisheard.
"Itblocked!?"
Itdidn'tavoid.
Itshouldhavehit.
Itshouldhavebeenadirecthit.
However,thesoundfromjustnow,
Thehighpitchedsoundjustnow,whatisit?
Almostasifnothingisdoneatall,theHydracalmlystandsup,
Therewasnotevenasinglescratch.
"Uoo...raaaa...!"
76/204
4/2/2016
Paul'sspiritedloudyellreachesuptome.
TheHydramovesthatheadalmostlikeasnakeandattacksPaul.
Paulavoidsitwiththeminimummovementpossible.
Inthenextinstant,theHydrasheadisspinningoffintheair.
Paulswingstheswordinhisrighthand,
Withatremendousswordspeed.
Foraninstant,Paul'sfigureblurs.
Heismovingataspeedthatmydemoneye'sforesightcan'tsee.
Inthenextinstant,adifferentheadoftheHydraissprayingblood.
Paulswingstheswordinhislefthand,slicing.
Sincetheoffhandswordwasshorter,itisn'tenoughtoseveritsheadentirely.
Paulrotateshisbodymidairand,makinguseofhiscentrifugalforce,slashesagainwiththeswordinhisrighthand.
TheheadoftheHydrathathadbeenhanginglooselyfalls.
"Shaaa...!
TheHydralostitssecondheadinaninstant.
However,theHydrahadnineheads.
TheHydrausesoneheadafteranotherandencloses,surrounds,andattacksPaulfromeverydirection.
Paulbackstepstoputsomedistancebetweenthem,butmaybebecauseofthesizeofthestep,heisn'tabletoescapefromthe
attackrangeoftheHydra.
"Paul!!"
ThenElinalisecatchesup.
Justlikewithhershieldattheready,sheprojectshersword.
Ifeelaninvisibleshockwaverelease.
[Hi~n!]
It'sthatsoundagain.
Almostasifithasn'treceivedanyshockwaveatall,theHydrapursuesafterPaul.
"MurmuringoftheMuddyStream![WaterCurrent]!"
SimultaneouslywithRoxy'sincantation,aclusterofwaterappearsinfrontofPaul'seyes.
ThatclusterofwaterwashsPaulawayfromtheHydra,toescapefromtheHydra'sattackrange.
PaulisthenrollingintoasomersaultwhenElinalisefacestowardsandimmediatelyentersastancetocoverhim.
Justaboutmidwaythere,Talhandstopshisfeetandstartstheincantationformagic.
Thereweresomeirregularities,buttheformationhasbecometheshapeofadvanceguard,middleguard,andrearguard.
77/204
4/2/2016
Whatarewegoingtodoaboutcombat?
Paul'sattackswereeffective.
However,myrockbulletwasblocked.
Roxy'smagic,aswell.
Nextwouldbeeitherfireorwind,Iguess?
BothofthemareareaofeffectandhardtokeepfromaffectingPaulandtheothers.
Whattodo?
"[EarthPillar]!"
Talhand'sincantationends.
It'searthmagic.
AbovetheHydra'shead,amassofrockappearsandfallsontotheHydra.
[Hi~n!]
Thatsoundletsoutagain.
JustbeforetherockimpactstheHydra,itdissipatesalmostlikebecomingsandanddisperses.
It'sthatsound.Whenthatsoundisletout,themagicdisappears.
"Doesmagichavenoeffectonthatthing!?"
Whatshouldbedone?Shouldwekeepgoingon?
Orwoulditbebettertorunawaytemporarily?
WhatshouldIdo!?
There,IhearRoxy'spressuredvoicefrombesidesme.
"Rudi,that!It'shealing!"
Ilooktowardsherpointing,wherethetwoheadsthatPaulhadloppedoff.
Oneofthoseheadsisstretchingouttotheendofthecutthebones,muscleandfleshisswellingupandrebuildingthehead.
Theotherheadaswell,followingalongwiththat,startedtorepairitself.
Itcanregenerate.
Thatthingsheads,justbycuttingthemoff,youcan'tpermanentlydamageit.
"Let'sretreat!"
Roxy'svoice.
However,itdidn'treachPaul.
Whileraisingavoicefilledwithfightingspirit,heisresolvedonstrikingtheHydrawithhisswords.
ElinaliseisindangertryingtosupportPaulsrecklessfightingstyle.
"Gisu!"
78/204
4/2/2016
Talhand'svoice,
Gisutakesoffrunning.
GisuovertakesTalhandandmovesuptojustbehindPaulhethrowssomethinghewasholdinginhishandattheHydra.
[Papa~n],Ihearthesoundofanexplosion.
Andthen,fromneartheHydrasomethinglikesmokeisrisingup.
Asmokescreen,huh,
"...!"
WhileGisuisshoutingsomething,hestartspullingPaulbackwards.
However,Gisucan'trestrainPaul.Innotimeatall,PaulisabouttoshakeGisuoff.
Inthenextinstant,ElinalisebashesPaulinthefacewithhershield.
"!"
GisureleaseshisholdandsayssomethingthenPaulfacesthiswayandstartsrunning.
"Rudeus!"
IstarttomoveafterhearingElinalisesvoice.
IconcentrateallthemagicpowerIcouldintomyhandandcreateadensefoginthespacebetweentheHydraandPaul.
Afog,likepurewhitesteam,toconcealothers,
However,IknowthattheHydraisapproachingus,asitmakesa[DoshinDoshin]sound.
Eventhough,afterall,itssoundwasntallthatfast,
Paulandtheothersreturnuptothecircle.
"Rudi,we'reretreating.Ahead,tothemagiccircle."
"Yes!Sensei!"
Ianticipateitandjumpontothemagiccircle.
Part4
Everyonesafelymanagestoleaveusingthemagiccircle.
Roxy,Talhand,andGisu,
Paul,whoisbreathingroughly,
AndthenfinallyElinalisecomesout,withsomeinjuries.
BloodisflowingoutendlesslyaroundtheareaofElinalisesshoulder.
"Areyouallright?"
"Itwasjustascratch."
Elinalise'sshoulderiscompletelyshavedoff.
JustfromwhatIcouldsee,therewasnoindicationasifshehadreceivedadirectattackthough.
79/204
4/2/2016
"Iwasscrapedbythescales."
Somehow,itseemsthatHydra'souterscalesarelikesharkskin.
EventhoughIsaythat,it'sstillwithintherangethatelementaryhealingmagiccanhealitwithoutleavingascar.
Backinmypreviousworldslife,itwouldhaverequiredatleastseveraltensofstitches.
Whataconvenientworld.
"Thankyouverymuch."
Wellthen,
Theproblemisthereasonforthisinjury:howtotreatthepersonwhocausedit.
Paulsitsdowninfrontofthemagiccircle.
Inaddition,hiseyesarefixatedaswell.
Bloodthirst,surgingfromalloverhisbody.
"Dad."
"ThatwasZenith.Nomistake."
Paulsaidthat.
Inthoseeyes,hecan'tseethefactthatElinaliseisinjured.
No,sinceElinalisetakestheroleofshield,youcouldsayitsherjobtoabsorbattacksthough.
However...
"Pleasecalmdownabit."
"Yeah,sorryaboutthat.I'mcalmrightnow."
Paul'svoiceislowintone.
It'sthecalmbeforethestormsuchwordscametomind.
Hemaybecalm,butitseemshe'snotcomposed.
Itcan'tbehelped.
Certainly,thatwasZenith.
FromadistanceevenIrealized,"Ah,it'sZenith".
ThenI'msureifitsPaul,there'snowayhewouldbemistaken.
TheoneinsideofthatmagiccrystalisZenith.
She'strappedinsideofthecrystal.
Iwonderwhysheendedupinthatstate.
No,thereasonisfine.
Somethinglikebeingwarpedinsideofitduringateleport,I'msure,therearevariousexplanations.
Itseemsthatbeingteleportedinsideofanobjectrarelyeverhappensinreverse,youcouldsayalthoughit'srare,itstillhappens.
AccordingtoGisu'sstory,wasn'tthestorythatshewastogetherwithsomeadventurers?
No,theyusedthewordsthatshewascaptured.
80/204
4/2/2016
Hn?CoulditbethatGisuknewaboutthissituation...?
No,thatcan'tbethecase.
Itcan'tbehelpedcatchinghimonaslipofthetongue.
Itwon'tbetoolatetoquestionhimoveritaftereverythingisover.
Besides,theproblemisn'tthere.
"...Iwonderifmotherisstillalive,evenlikethat?"
"Huh!?"
Aftersayingthat,Paulstandsupandgrabsontomycollarroughly.
"Somethinglikewhethershe'saliveornot,itdoesn'tmatterdoesit!"
"That'sright."
Certainly,
Itwasaslipofwords,Iguess.
Fromthestart,theprobabilitythatZenithisalivewaslow.
Ievenconsideredthepossibilitythatwewouldn'tevenfindacorpse.
Evenresolvedthatwemaynotfindasinglearticleofhers,
Ifshe'sdeadthenshe'sdead,somethingweshouldoffercondolencesto,iswhatIwasthinking.
Ifit'slikethis,thatshe'sstillrecognizablyZenith,thenthesituationisfarbetterthanwecouldhavepredicted.
"Stopthefighting!"
Gisuexclaims,butPaulstillnearshisfacetomineinanintimidatingway.
"Rudi,Zenithwasoverthere.Yourmother,whyareyouabletoremainthatcalm?"
"Woulditbebettertopanicmore?Whatwouldbesolvedbygettingdistracted?"
"I'mnotsayingthat!"
IknowwhatPaulwantstosay.
Certainly,rightnowImightbetoocomposed.
Eventhoughafterwefindmymother,whomwasmissingforsixyears,I'msureit'snotthebehaviorofatypicalhuman.
Well.
EvenduringthetimewhenIwasachild,Ididn'tinteractwithZenithverymuch.
Myrecognitiontowardsherasamotherisweak,aswell.
RatheritsevenstrangethatIlivedwithsuchanappreciationthislife.[36]
Atanyrate,weseparatedatthetimewhenIwassevenyearsold,andIhaven'tmetherinalmosttenyears,afterall.
EventhefactthatI'mtakingonaheartlessattitudemightbesomethingthatcan'tbehelped.
"Fornow,let'srecognizethepresentcondition."
"Huh!?"
81/204
4/2/2016
IgnoringPaul'sintimidation,Iindifferentlytryputtingthethingsfromjustbeforeintowords.
"MagicwasineffectiveagainstthatGuardianProtector.Itpossessesanabsurdability,[Regenerate]itsattackstrengthishigh
enoughthatjustbycontactingElinalisesan,itwasabletobreakthroughElinalisesan'sdefenseaswell.Andthen,motheris
trappedinsideofthatcrystal.Puttingitclearly,it'sunknownwhetherornotshe'sevenalive."
"Somethinglikethat...evenIknow!WhatI'maskingaboutisyourattitudeatthetimewhenyourmotherhasbeenfound!"
GisucutinafterPaul'sshout.
"Stopitwiththat!Havesomethinglikeaparentchildfightafterwereturntotheinn!"
Gisuforcefullypulledusapart.
Paulspitoutthewords,"Shitscrewingaroundlikethat,"andplunksdownontotheground.
ItseemstherewasnoreasonformetosayitspeciallyevenPaulunderstandsthesituation.
Just,myattitudebotheredhim.
EvenIfeelittoo:itwascold.
But,itreallycan'tbehelped,right?
Whatareyoutellingmetodoaboutit?
"Yes,stopwiththefightthere,let'sstartdiscussingthings!"
Elinaliseletsoutaclapwithherhands.
PaulandIslowlymoveandsitinthecircle.
RoxyismakingasomewhatnervousfacewhilelookingPaulandIover.
ItseemsI'vecausedhertoworry.
"I'mfine."
"Isthatso..."
It'snotthefirstfightIhadwithPaul.
Afterthingsareoverandwereturntotheinn,I'msurePaulwillbebetteraswell.
EvenI,whohasweakacknowledgmentofmother,atthepointwhenIhearZenith'svoiceandrealizeshe'sbeensaved,I'msure
I'llfeelsomethingaswell.
That'sright,there'snodoubtthat'sthecase.
Thistime,thegearsarejustabitoutoforder.
"[Cough].Umm,it'saboutZenithsan'scrystallizationthough.Ithinksomethingcanbedoneaboutit."
Roxysaysthatinasomewhatbrightervoicethanusual.
"Isthattrue?!"
TheonewhomakesahappyfaceisPaul.
"Yes.Occasionally,therearetimeswhenlegendarymagicitemsimbuedwithmagicpoweraretrappedinmagiccrystalslikethat,
butI'veheardthatifyoudefeattheGuardian,thecrystalunsealsandyou'llbeabletoretrievethecontents."
82/204
4/2/2016
It'sastoryI'veneverheard.
However,they'reRoxy'swords.
Roxyhasnoreasontolie.
"ThatissomethingthatIknowaboutaswell,"
Elinaliseagrees,
"IknowaboutoneindividualwhohasbeenthroughasimilarsituationasZenith,butthey'reproperlyliving,evennow."
""
ThisisalieI'msure.
Elinaliseisthetypetoliecalmlyattimeslikethis.
Sinceit'sforthesakeofimprovingthemood,Iwon'tblameher,though.
Although,nomatterhowmuchofaprecedentthereis,whenthecrystalmelts,it'snotconfinedtothepersoninsidebeingsafe.
Naturally,there'snoneedtoputthatintowords.
It'ssomethingthateveryoneknows.
"TheproblemisthatGuardianProtector...Honestly,it'sthefirsttimeI'veseenthatspecies,aswell."
TheonewhotakestheinitiativeandcutsofftheconversationisElinalise.
Gisucontinuesmoreover,
"That'srightyoucantellit'saHydrajustfromseeingit.Butavarietywiththosekindofemeraldgreenscales,I'veneverheard
ofsuchathing."
"Furthermore,itcanevenregenerate."
Talhandcrosseshisarmswhilecontinuingtomakeatroubledface,aswell.
ItsknownthatHydrasareaspeciesofdragon.
Adragonthathasanumberofheadsalthoughitdoesn'tflock,evenaloneit'sgenerallytheultimateclassintermsofpower.
Certainly,IhadheardthattheywerelivingsomewhereontheMagicContinent.
Justfromwhathasbeencurrentlyconfirmed,Iknowofthreetypes.
They'redifferentiatedbythecoloroftheirscalestheknowntypesarewhite,grey,andgold.
SomethinglikeaHydrawithemeraldgreenscalesdoesn'texist.
"ThatismostlikelyaMultiHeaded,MagicStoneDragon,or[ManatiteHydra]."
TheonewhosaysthatisRoxy.
"I'vereadaboutitinabookonce.It'sademonicdragon,allofthescalesofitsbodyarecoveredinmagicstoneswhichabsorb
magicpower.TheywerewitnessedaroundthetimeoftheSecondHumanDemonWar.Itswrittenthattheywentextinct,
togetherwiththeannihilationofthecontinent.Iwasconvincedtheywerejustafairytalethoughtothinktheyreallyexist."
[37]
MagicPowerAbsorption...
83/204
4/2/2016
Inotherwords,itisimmunetomagic,Iguess.
"Doesthatmeanthatwe'reunabledamagethatthingatall?"
"Ifwhat'swritteninthebookistrue,thenifyoucastfromzerodistanceitshouldbeeffective."
"Zerodistance,yousay"
Thathugething...
Furthermore,justbypressingagainstitsrazorsharpbody,youreceivewoundsasifputthroughacheesegrater.
DoesthatmeanwehavetodirectlytouchtheHydraandusemagic?
Allofourfingerswillendupchoppedoff.
"However,evenatthepointwe'reabletodamageit,itcanregenerate.Whatcanbedone?"
"Regenerationistroublesome."
"However,it'snotasifwecan'tdefeatit,"Isay.
TheHydraregenerates.
Evenafterhearingthat,Iamnotsurprised.
It'sbecauseIhadthemythologicalknowledgethataHydraregenerates.
"Evenifwechopitsheadsoff,theyregenerateeachinafewmoments.Whatcanbedonetodefeatsomethinglikethat...?
Roxywasgroaningassheagreesaswell.
However,Ididn'tthinkitwasastroublesomeaseveryoneelsedid.
Evendespiteupuntilnow,I'vealmostneverranintoregeneratingmonsters.
Forsomereason,
BecauseIhavemyknowledgefrommypreviouslife
"Forthetimebeing,Ihaveanidea."
Afterraisingmyhandwithaproposal,thelooksgatheredtome.
"IfyoucauterizetheHydra'sopenedneckswithfire,theywon'tregenerateissomethingI'veheard."
IstarttellingthestoryoftheheroofGreekMythofHeracles.
HeraclesfoughtwithaHydra.
Accordingtothat,IknowitwassaidthatheburnedthecutendofthenecksoftheHydrainordertopreventtheregeneration.
Honestly,it'sjustamythafterall.
Itscredibilityisunproven.
However,theresponseisgood.
"Iseenow,burningthewound,huh."
"Wedon'thaveanytorches,butifit'sawoundwithoutscalesthenthere'snoworryaboutthemagicbeingblocked."
"There'svalueingivingitatry."
84/204
4/2/2016
Idon'tknowjusthowsimilartheHydrasinthisworldaretothetalesofHydrainmypreviouslife.
Thoughinmypreviouslife,it'ssaidthattheHydrashaveimmortalheads...
Onthissidemaybe,ifyouaretojustburnalloftheheadsitmightalltooeasilydie.
It'sanegativewayofthinkingaboutit,butaslongasit'salivingthing,itshoulddie.
"Alright,thenlet'strycarryingthatoutandsee."
WithGisu'swords,theplanisdecided.
Mysuggestionisn'tcertain.
However,thingsofcertaintyarenowheretobefound.
Honestly,Ifeelitmightbegoodtoreturntothecityonce,aswell.
Eventhoughonecouldarguewehaveconsumedalmostnoenergy,theenemyispowerful.
Itmightbegoodtodopreparationsforabossfight.
It'spossibletohireskilledwarriorsjustforthesakeofthebossfight.
Idon'tknowjusthowmanyswordsmentherearewhocandecapitateaHydrashead.Butwiththecitysnumberofadventurers,
ifweweretosearch,I'msurewecouldfindatleastone.
".."
But,I'msurePaulwouldn'tagree.
IfIweretosaysomethinglikereturningnow,hismoralestateseemstosayhewouldthenchallengetheHydraalone.
Besides,evenifwearetoreturn,Ican'timaginethatwewouldevenbeabletofinditemsormercenariesthatcanworkwell
againstthatHydra.
Therearecountermeasures,
We'vealreadygatheredtheprecisebalanceofpeopletodoit.
Then,thisisthepartwhereweshouldadvanceahead.
"Hey,Paul.Thisisfine,right?"
"Yeah."
"That'sareplywithnospiritdoyougetit?Nooneotherthanyoucancutthatthingsheadsoff."
I'msureElinaliseandTalhandwouldbeabletoleaveawoundonthosescales,aswell.
Still,itwon'treachthepointofdecapitation.
PaulwillcutofftheheadsandthenI'llusechantlessmagic,immediatelyburningit.
Suchanassignmentofrolesisnecessary.
Dependingonthesituation,itmightrequiremetoapproachtoaconsiderablyclosedistance,aswell,
Inordertopinpointburnjustthewound,sincetheprobabilityishighthatthesurroundingscaleswillnullifyfriendlyfire,as
well.
Inthatcase,theotherthreepeoplewillactasadiversiontodistracttheHydrafrommyattacks.
IfthedecoystakeanydamagethenRoxywillhealthem.
Itbecomesthatsortofroleassignment.
85/204
4/2/2016
There'snothingbutthat.
Naturally,asitis,attackswillcomeforme,aswell.
Iwillbestandinginaconsiderablydangerousposition:directlyinfrontoftheHydra.
"Rudi...
Paul'seyesarefacingtowardsme.
Heislookingatmewithsomewhathesitanteyesandsays:
"Youare...reallyareliableson."
"Thatkindofflattery,let'ssaveitforafterwedefeattheHydra."
"It'snotflattery.Ireallythinkthat."
Paulsaysthatandlaughsathimself,
"Ican'tbecomecalmlikeyou,Icouldn'tcomeupwithideaseither.I'manidiot,whocouldn'tthinkofanythingotherthan
recklesslyrunningin."
Paulcontinues,
Theshapeofhismouthtwists,almostlikeheischewingonthewordswithhismolars.
"I'materriblefather.Itdoesn'tseemlikeI'llbeabletobecomearolemodelformyson."
Paulsaysinatoneburstingwithdetermination.
Hislookwastremendouslystrong.
Yes,hiseyesarefilledwithsuchstrongpoweralmostasifhislookcankill.
It'sresolve.
Paulhasdecidedhisresolve.
"Withthat,letmesayit.Iknowit'snotsomethingforaparenttosay,thoughlistenwell."
"Yes."
Ireceivehislookfromheadon:
"Saveyourmom,evenifyouhavetodie."
Paulsays.
Facinghisson,
[Evenifyouhavetodie.]
However,Idon'tfeelhe'saterribleoldman.
Thisistrust.
Paulisthinkingofmeashisequal.
Forthisreason,hewasserious.
ThenIneedtorespond,
86/204
4/2/2016
"..Yes!"
"Allright,let'sgo!"
WithPaul'swords,everyonestandsup.
TherematchwiththeHydrabegins.
WebChapter125MortalCombat
Thebattlebegins.
Inthegrandchamber,amassiveHydrawaswaitingforus,
Behinditwerethemagiccrystals.
Andtrappedinthemiddleofthelargestmagiccrystalwas,withoutadoubt,Zenith.
WhentheHydraseesus,itslowlyraisesitsbody.
"Alright,hereIgo!"
Paulsprintsoff,
Keepingalowposturelikeadog,heisfastlikethewind,
Thekindofspeedthatwouldleaveanyoneinthedust,
Howeverthistime,ElinalisefollowsPaulsleadaswell.
FrombehindisTalhand,withaslowgait.
Weprogressforward,matchingthepaceofTalhand.
Gisuwaitsfurtherintherear.
Sincehecannotfight,he'suselessinthisbattle.
HecanoffernorealtechniquesforfightingwithsuchalargescalemonsterlikeaHydra.
However,heisthereforareason.
Worstcase,ifweshouldbeannihilated,hisroleistoescapeandreportwhathappened.
"RAAaaa!"
PaulreachestheHydra,
Atthesametime,threeoftheHydra'sheadsmove.
Foritssize,theHydraisquick.
Allofitsheads,eachlikeawildsnake,movenimblyandindependently.
But,
Inamomentofblurringmotion,PaulseversoneoftheheadsfromtheHydra.
Allright,keepitup.
87/204
4/2/2016
"[FireBall]!"
Attheheadofmystaff,Iputthefullmightofthemagicpowerinmybody.
AtremendouslyhotfireballblastsofftowardstheHydra.
But,itwasnogood.
ThefireballbeginstodwindletheclosertotheHydraitgets,anddisappearsonimpact.
Ihearanunpleasantsoundasifscratchingglass.
"AsIexpected,I'mgoingtohavetogetclosertousemagic."
IfIdonotclosethisdistanceandapproachit,Icannotdefeatit.
Iwon'tbeabletodamageitunlessIhititpointblankwithfiremagic.
"Sothat'stheplan,eh?Areyougoingtobeabletofightupclose,Rudi?"
"I'llbefine.WhileItrained,Ididn'tjustlimitittomagic."
AlthoughIconfidentlysaidso,myheartisbeatingoutofmychest.
Iamweakinclosecombat.
Mostofmymemoriesofclosecombatendedupcoloredwithmydefeat.
BeginningwithPaul,thenGhyslaine,Eris,Ruijerd,andOrsted,
Ateachtime,Iwasunabletodefeatanybody.
Though,somehow,Ihadmanagedtogetbyinrecentfights.
Thestraydragon,Rinia,Pursena,andLuke.
IusedtheDemonEyeofForesighttowinagainstthem.
However,canIwinagainstthisHydra?
It'sano.
Idon'tbelieveIcoulddefeatanopponentthatwarriors,suchasPaulandElinalise,struggletofight.
Inotherwords,justbecauseIhadmanagedtowinafewbattlesrecently,doesn'tmeanIcanwinagainsttheHydra.
But,I'mnotfightingalonethistime.
It'sateambattle.
IhavePaul,Elinalise,andevenRoxy.
Talhandaswell,thoughIcantverifyhisfullpowersurelyitmustbeatthesameleveloftheothers.
Itakeoffatfullspeed,andarrivejustbehindPaul.
"Rudi,don'tyoudaremoveawayfrommyback!"
IlistentotheinstructionofPaulwho'sinfrontofme.
ElinaliseflankstotheleftandTalhandtotheright,
AndRoxycastsfromtherear.
TheformationisexactlyliketheImperialCross[38].
88/204
4/2/2016
"SHAAAaaaa!"
Threeheadsattacksimultaneously.
ItseemstheHydradoesn'tmoveanymorethanthree.
Perhapsitsincapableofmovingmore?
Orisit,becausemovingmoreheadswouldinterfere?
Idon'tunderstandit,butit'sconvenient.
Elinalisesidestepsonehead,Talhandbatsawayanother.
AndPaulcleanlybeheadstheremainingattackinghead.
Theheadfallstothegroundandbeginswrithing.
"Gonow!"
"I'monit!"
AfterIheartheshoutofPaul,Idashquicklytotheseveredneck,andreleasemymagic.
Thefiremagichitstheopenneck,andtheintensityofthefireilluminatesthesurroundings.
IscorchtheHydrasneckwoundwhileitmakesasmolderingsound,thefirecompletelycharstheneck.
"How'sthat?"
Whilekeepinganeyeonthewound,Ibackstepaway.
Idon'tknowyetifitwaseffective.
Almostimmediately,anotherheadattacks.
Paulstopstheblow.
Elinaliseparriesitawaywithashield.
Attheedgeofmyview,asprayofbloodcomesupfromTalhand.
"Kuh!"
"Powerofthedivine,becomethenourishmentforthisbody[Healing]!"
WhenTalhandbecameinjured,Roxyimmediatelyran,whilechanting,tohealhiswound.
Everybodyelseismovingabout,overwhelmingtheHydra,sonoattackscanreachme.
Icandonothingbutconfirmit.
""
Andasforthewoundontheneck:
Doesthecauterizedsectionstillregrowahead?
Howdiditgo?
"Allright."
Nonewheadisregrown.
89/204
4/2/2016
Thewoundremainsunchanged.
Thereisnosurgeofnewflesh,andnonewheadregenerates.
"It'sworking!"
"Hellyeah!"
Paulbellowsandanotherheadfalls.
AndIscorchthatneck.
Theheatisterrifying.
Indeed,thetemperatureoftheheatbeginstochokeme.
However,toscorchthenecksections,Imustuseatleastthismuchintensity.
IfIfailtoscorchthenecksectionsproperly,anewheadcouldregenerate.
So,wecontinueinthismanner
"m!Coverme!"
MyDemonEyeofForesightcatchestheHydra'smovement.
<TwooftheHydra'sheadsthatdon'tmove,willaimforme.>
Ievadeone.
<However,theotheroneaimsfortheplacethatIevadeto.>
"Leaveittome!"
IntheplacewhereIdodgedthefirstattackinghead,Elinalisejumps.
Jumpinginwithaslightlyunnaturalstance,sheknocksoneoftheheadsback.
SheplacesherbodybetweentheHydraandmyself.
TheshieldisplacedbetweentheHydraandmyself.
EvenwhileIhearasnarlingsoundcomeforth,Elinaliseprotectsme.
AsmallsquirtofElinalisesbloodsplashesonmycheek,
"Roxy!Sheneedshealing!"
"Powerofthedivine,becomethenourishmentforthisbody[Healing]!"
RoxyimmediatelyremediesthewoundofElinalise.
Andbothreturntotheirpositionswithoutincident.
"Rudi!Keepyoursightsonthethirdone!"
"Gotit!"Paulshouts.
Atthesametime,anotherheadfalls,andapillarofblooderupts.
Igrilltheneck.
Myonlyjobistogrill.
90/204
4/2/2016
I'mgrillingmeat,
ButIgrillitdiligently.
Ileavetheresttotheothers.
Ionlyfocusonwhat'sbeforeme.
Paulcuts,andIburn.
ElinaliseandTalhandprotectme.
AndRoxyprotectsthem.
Thefourthheaddrops,andIscorchtheneck.
It'sgoingwell.
AtleastIthoughtso,
But,thentheHydrachangesitsmovements.
Suddenly,
Yes,verysuddenly,
TheHydralaunchesallfiveofitsremainingheadsexclusivelyatTalhand.
"Kuuh!"
"Talhand!"
ThefirstattackingheadTalhandavoids.
Intheplaceofthesecondhead,thathecannotavoid,Talhandrollsontheground.
Atthistime,hegrazesthebodyoftheHydra,rollingandrattlingalongtheground.
Thethirdattackingheadcomes.
Talhand,flatonhisarse,managestocatchthecomingmouthwithhisshieldandaxe.
Then,thefourthattackinghead:
TheHydraheadbitesTalhand'sleg.
Andforamoment,suspendsTalhandupinmidair,
"Guooooo!"
Finally,the5thattackinghead,reachestodevourthewholebodyoftheimmobileTalhand.
"Oryaa!"
Withaboomboomsound,theheadcrashes.
TheheadsoftheHydra,thatis.
ThefourthandfifthheadswerecutoffbytheslashingattackofPaul.
"I'malive!Thanksforthesave!"exclaimsTalhand.
"Iburnedthem!"Ireport.
"Powerofthedivine,becomethenourishmentforthisbody[Healing]!"chantsRoxy.
91/204
4/2/2016
Whileweheareachotheratthesametime,weworkseparately.
IburntwomorenecksoftheHydrasimultaneously.
Justthreeremain.
"Hm?"
Again,themovementsoftheHydrachange.
Itappearedtostaggerbackwards,infearofus.
"It'sgoinggoodwejustneedonefinalpush,Rudi!"
Paulgoesforward.
No,wait.
Isn'tthisatrap?
Althoughweshouldattack,Idon'tknowwhatthisopponentisplotting
Then,whenIgiveitamomentofthought,
"Naah!"
OneoftheHydra'sheads,
Anespeciallybighead,
Ittearsthescorchedpartcleanoffoneofthenecks.
"Whatthe?!"
Withthecauterizedpartoftheneckbittenoff,theheadregrowsafewmomentslater.
"Thisisbad!"
Whileitcannotrejuvenateheadsfromnecksthatarescorched,
Ifitbitesoffthecauterizedsection,theheadwillregrowagain.
"Dontgiveittimetoregenerate!"
"YAAAAAaaaaah!"
Elinalise,whilemoving,letsoutawarcry.Shedashes,
AndthrustsherGladiusintotheregeneratingneck,
"Oh,greatfrozenprotector,totheplacethoudemands,go.
Strikewiththemuddystreamoftheglacier,[IceSmash]!"
MagichammersintotheneckwhichwasabouttoreviveaheadatzerodistancefromwhereElinalisewas.
Theprematurehead,stillwithoutscalesandwithsoftmeatyskin,meetswithahunkoficeslammingintoit,shearingitclean.
92/204
4/2/2016
Theneckwrithesaround,sprayingbloodlikeafreshlysqueezedpomegranate.
"Roxy!"
"Oh,smallcinderblessedwithgreatness,burnbrilliantly,[Flamethrower]!"
Roxy,whowasfollowingupwithElinalise,shootsouttheFlamethrower.
AlthoughthescalesdampenthemagicalpowerreachingtheHydra,thenecksmokesandburns.
"Allright!"
Paulgoestopursuewiththefollowup.
However,theHydradoesn'tlowerahead.
Itrisesitslargebodyhighup,raisingitsheadtotheceiling,andglaresmyway.
Onlythreeheadsremain.
AmIfrightened?
No,it'ssomethingelse.
It'snotthatfeeling.
It'safeelingofdanger.
"Beonguard,something'sabouttocome!"
"Allright!"
Paul'sconfirmation.
Fromthere,Iactonintuition.
No,perhapsIcansaythatIactfrommyexperience.
Ihaveseenthispostureonlyoncebefore.
IrecalledtheStrayDragon'sbodystandingerect,thenmyfigure,infrontofanimpending[InhalingBreath].
"Afirebreathattackiscoming!Pleasegatherclosetome!"
"Right!"
Paulbackstepsswiftly,untilheisjustinfrontofme.
ElinaliseandTalhandmatchesPaulspace,tumblingclosetome.
AndRoxyleapstowardsandclingsontightlytome.
Ibegincreatingwater.
Athickwallofwater,
Immediatelyafterthewallofwaterswelled,theHydraspewsitsbreath.
Fromallthreeheads,aterrificamountofflamingbreathpoursoutandslamsintothewaterwall.
Massiveamountsofsteamform,andthetemperatureintheroomrisessignificantly.
"!"
93/204
4/2/2016
Adragon'sflamebreathboastsahorrifyinglyhightemperature.
Itcanliquefysteelandevenvaporizeasmallmarsh,inmeremoments.
Andthisflamebreathreleasedsimultaneouslyfromthreenecks.
Nonormalmagicianhasaspelltomatchthisfiresintensity.
Iffiveno,tenmagiciansconcentratedtocreateonewaterwall,theymightpossiblydefend.
Buteventhen,itmightstillbeimpossible.
However,mymagicreservoirisnotnormal.
"Dad!"
"Right!"
PaulleapsintotheplacewhereoneoftheHydra'sneckssealed.
Thebreathweaponseemstohaverestrictionsonitsusage.
WhileIdon'tknowtheexactreason,Iunderstandthatitcannotperformitinrapidsuccession.
Isitperhapsrelatedtosomekindofaccumulationofmagicinsidethebody?
Ijustdon'tknowthereason.
But,Iknowflamebreathisthelastresortofadragon.
Andtospewitfromallthreeheadssimultaneously,
Therewilldefinitelybesomerechargingtime.
Ifitwasjustoneheadusingit,thenperhapsanotherheadmightsetupforasuccessivebreath.
However,thisHydradidn'tdoit.
Maybeithastoinvolvetheotherheads.
Atanyrate,achancehascome.
"OOOooohh!"
Paullopsoffahead.
AndIscorchitsneckimmediately.
Twotogo.
Oneheadattachedtoathinnerneck,andonetoathickneck.
Isthethickneckattachedtothemainbody?
Thenthatoneisthelasttarget.
"Dad,taketheheadonthethinneck!"
"Understood!"
Paulruns.
ElinaliseandTalhandteamuptotakeontheheadattachedtothethickneck.
94/204
4/2/2016
"DaaRaaaaa!"
Paulcleanlyseversthehead.
AndIimmediatelydriveinmyfiremagic.
Excellent,
Onlythemainheadremains.
We'regoingtowin.
Comingthisfar,wecannotgiveitanychancetotryandbeginregeneratingitsheads.
Evenifthelastheadisinvulnerable,ourteamshouldbeuptothetaskoffinishingtheHydraoffsomehow.
ThemomentIscorchthelastneckwithmagic,
<TheHydramakesatremblingmovement.>
Ididnotunderstandwhatthatmovementwas.
AlthoughmyEyeofForesightdisplayedthismovement,Ididn'tunderstandit.
Itwastoobig.
"Idiot!"
"!"
BeforeInoticeit,Paulpushesmeaway.
Immediatelybeforeme,Ifeelsomethinghugepassby.
Certainly,therearenoheadsleft.
No,that'snotright,
It'snotthatitwas"withoutahead."
Itjusthappenedtobe"headless."
TheHydraswingsitsheadlessnecksaroundlikearosewhip.
Eightnecks,
Coveredwithhardscaleslikeagrater,itwasabundleofnecks.
Thebodyshakes,andallatonce,itmovesinasweepingmotion.
"Rudiiii!"
Paulshoutsforasecondtime,andkicksmeback.
Atthesametime,withacolossalsoundlike'daan',somethingfallsrightbesideme.
Something,
Iimmediatelyfalltomyknees.
AttheplacewhereIam,
BetweenPaulandI,
"U,uoooh!"
95/204
4/2/2016
Thereareeyesinfrontofme.
Theeyesofsomethingatitswitsend,
Theeyesofacorneredbeast,
Theeyesthattrytofindawaytosurviveuntiltheverylastsecond.
TheeyesoftheHydra.
Fromaroundtheareaoftheforehead,somethinglikeahornappears.
"OOOOOOOOOooo!"
Onreflex,Iimmediatelythrustmylefthandintotheeye.
Togetherwitha'guchari'sound,aburningsensationtransmitsupmyarm.
TheHydra'seyelidscloses.
Theeyelids,wrappedinscales,closesshut,likeaguillotine.
Simultaneously,Ifiredoffa[RockCannonball].
AstheHydra'seyelidsshut,theHydra'sheadburstapart.
Atthesametime,Ifeelitjerkupwards.
Afterthejerk,Ihearapopcracksoundresoundinmyhead.
"R,Roxyyyyy!!"
Iendurethepainandcryout,thenameofmymostreliableShisho,
"Oh,smallcinderblessedwithgreatness,burnbrilliantly,[Flamethrower]!"
Thoughhervoicewassmall,itreachesmyears.
Roxyscorchesthelastneckuntilblack,anditbeginsfalling.
ThemassivebodyoftheHydramakesathunderousnoiseasitperformsitsdeaththroes.
Acloudofdustshootsupfromtheheadlesscorpseitfallstothegroundinspasmsoffear.
FromthebodyoftheHydra,Icouldfeelthelifeforcedisappear.
Itcannotperformregenerationanymore.
Thelastheadwasvulnerable.
"HaaHaa"
Defeated,
Itwasdefeated.
"Wedidittttu!"
96/204
4/2/2016
Inthatmoment,Irecognizedanacutepaininmylefthand.
WhenIlook,Iamaghast.
"Uuuu"
Ihavenolefthand.
Iseetheskinandmusclescutbytheeyelidsscales,andIseethebonesandmusclescrushedwiththeclosingeyelid.
Andatthelastmoment,whenitjerkedup,theHydratoremyhandoff.
Bloodmakesawheezingsoundasitspurtsoutoftheartery.
"Hand,mylefthand"
Eyes,
IntheeyeoftheHydra,thereismylefthand.
AssoonasIthoughtofit,Iseethemainhead,
Roxy,havingusedthefiremagicwithallofhermight,carbonizedthemainheaddowntothebaseofitsneck.
ThemomentIseeit,Irealizeit.
Thereisnothingremainingofmyhand.
EvenifIsearchforit,Iwillprobablyneverfindit.
AndevenwhilesearchingforittorejoinitallthewhileImhemorrhagingblood.
Aaah,Ihavetousemyhealingmagicquickly.
"Angelofmiracles,pleasebestowthebreathofheavenwhichisthepulseoflife,
Receivingitfromtheskyandthesun,HonorableGod,whodespisesthecrimsonflow,
Spreadyourwhitewings,andflydowntotheseaoflight.
Letwhereyoureach,thecrimsonnotexpel,
[ShineHealing]."
IchanttheAdvancedrankhealingmagic.
Iknowthatwiththisadvancedrankhealing,itcannotregeneratealostlimb.
However,Istilluseit.
Pinkskinswellsaroundtheseveredpart,andtheoutflowofbloodstops.
Incidentally,thepartofmyfacebruisedfromthetimePaulkickedmeseemstoheal,aswell.
"FuuHaa"
Mybreathisragged.
CalmdownCalmdown.
Mylefthandislost.
However,theHydrawasaconsiderablyterribleenemy.
Arguably,itwasacheapvictoryifitonlycostmylefthand.
97/204
4/2/2016
Ifatthelastmoment,ifPaulhadn'thelpedme,Iwouldhavedied.
"Yousavedmylife,Dad."
Iturnaround,searchingforPaulswhereabouts.
Therewasnoanswer.
Everyonestayssilent.
Elinalisestandsstill.
Talhandissilent.
Roxycovershermouth.
Gisurunsfromthebackoftheroom,paleintheface.
ThereisnoanswerfromPaul.
"Dad?"
Everyoneglancesahead,
TotheplacePaulhadfallen.
So,hecollapsed.
Iturnandfacetowardshim.
However,
Itwasn'tsimplyacollapse.
Heisunconscious.
Hiseyesarevacant.
Andthen,
Iseetherewasnolowerhalftohisbody.
"Ah?"
Ican'tcomprehendmysight.
"Eh?"
Aa,Ihateit.
Whathadhappened?Iknow.
That'sright.
Iseeit.
Paulsentmeflyingwithakick,
BecausethemainheadreachedtheplacewhereIwas.
That'swhyPaulkickedmeback.
Forthesakeofthrowingmeoutoftheway,hekickedandthenhewasalone.
98/204
4/2/2016
Sohehadtokickwithallofhismight.
Iwasn'tachildanymore.
Inordertokickwithallofhismight,insuchaway,hemustvepushedoutfromhiswaist.
Paul,asaswordsmaninthisworld,avoidedstepbackrecoilfromthekickhegaveme.
Heisaphysicallystrongswordsman,andisabletoweartouki.
Inotherwords,heiscapableofsendingmeflyingwithakick,andstayinginposition.
Anotherwayofputtingit:hewasblocking.
Idon'twanttocometotherealizationofthatword.
Blocking.
"A,why?"
ThemomentIsaythat,Paul'seyesbegintostir.
Paulseyesmeetmyown.
""
Paulsaysnothing.
Buthemoveshismouthalittle,expressingrelief.
Havingfeltrelieved,heexhales.
Thereisjustafeeblevomitingofblood.
Andhiseyeslosetheirlight.
Paulhaddied.
99/204
4/2/2016
100/204
4/2/2016
WebChapter126Parent
Part1
ThemomenttheHydrabreatheditslast,thecrystalprisonshattered.
Zenithwasalive.
Thoughunconscious,shewasbreathing.
Scatteredaboutthesurroundingareaweredozensofhugemagiccrystalsandalargequantityofmagicstonesthatcomprisedthe
Hydra'sscalyarmor.
Furtherinsidetheroom,alargeamountofmagicitemshadbeendropped.
IfIsoldthose,Iwouldbecomefilthyrich.
However,noonegleefullywenttopickthetreasureup.
Isurprisedmyself,athowdetachedIwascompletingthework.
Therewasasurrealfeeling,likebeinginadream.
Iwouldreplyifasked,butmythoughtswereempty.
Therewasanothermewhoseemedtobeansweringinvoluntarily.
IcrematedtheremainsofPaulinthatplace.
Eventhoughtherewerevariousreasons,Iwantedtotakethecorpsebackhomewithme.
Butregardingtheconductofhowtohandlethedeadinsidealabyrinth,IdidasIwastold.
Onlythreeitemsremainedtobepassedonasfamilyheirlooms.
Paul'sthinmetalbreastplate.
Histantou[39],whichcouldinflictheavydamageonthetoughestofopponents.
Andlastly,Paul'sbelovedsword,whichhealwayscarriedaround.
UnderthecareofmyFireMagic,Paulbecameapileofbonesintheblinkofaneye.
ElinalisesaidthatifIburieditnowhowitis,therewasachancePaul'sbonescouldresurrectintoaskeleton,andIagreed.
Thatbeingthesituation,IbrokeoffasinglebonethatImaytakehomewithme.
101/204
4/2/2016
Imadeasmallvesseloutofsoil,andplacedtheboneIbrokeoffinsideofit.
""
Therewasamysteriousfeeling.
Mychestclenchedupverytightly,andIdidnotunderstandthemeaningofthisfeeling.
"Let'sgoback."
Onthereturntrip,Iwasworthless.
Mysurefootedstepswereunstablenow.
AlthoughIusedmagictodefeatenemies,ifRoxywasnotnearmyside,Iwouldhavemorethanlikelysteppedonatrap.
WheneverImadeamistake,noonescoldedme.
Elinalise,Roxy,Talhand,andGisuallsaidnothing.
Therewerenoteventhecomfortablewordsofcomplaint.
Everyonewasatalossforwords.
Weescapedfromthelabyrinthafterthethirdday.
EveryonetookturnshelpingtocarryZenithforthislongtime.
Eventhoughthereweremomentsofintensecombatinthelabyrinth,Zenithneverwoke.
ThoughIwasanxious,however,sinceshewasstilldrawingbreathIwaseventuallypersuadedthatshewasalive.
Whatwesaidtothethreewhowaitedforusbackintown,Idon'tremember.
Certainly,ElinaliseandGisugaveadetailedexplanation.
Iwasunabletosayanything.
WhatcouldIsay?Therewasnothing.
Sherabrokedowncrying,andVerafelltoherkneesinshock.
Evenseeingsuchascene,Iwasincapableofsayinganything.
Lilia'sreactionwasdifferent.
Shehadanexpressionlessface.
Concealingherownfacialexpression,shelookedatme,andbroughtmeintohertightembrace.
Sheconveyedsomanyfeelingstomeallatonce:'You'vebeenthroughalot,haven'tyou?''Thankyouforallyourhardwork,'
'Youcanleavetheresttome,''Please,restforawhile.'
I,whohadsuchafeelingofemptiness,hadtoputforthsomeefforttonodinagreement.
WhenIcamebacktothehotel,Itookoffmyrobe.
Lookingaroundtheshoulderareaoftherobe,Iseeadeeptear.
Ishouldrepairitwithsomesewing.
ThoughIthoughtthat,Itossedtherobeatsomecorneroftheroom.
AquaHeartia,thetoolbag,Itossedeverythingontopoftherobe
Icollapsedinaheapontothebed.
Part2
102/204
4/2/2016
ThateveningIhadadream.
Inthatdream,Iwasinmypreviousform.
TheformoftheslovenlyandsubservientNEET.
However,Hitogamididnotcomeout.
Therewasnowhitecoloredroomeither.
Itwasjustamemoryofmypreviouslife.
That'sright,justadreamaboutmypreviouslife.
Idon'trecallexactlywhenitwas.
ButIrememberedasceneofthattime.
Inmypreviouslive,atmyhouse,evendowntohowmylivingroomlooked.
Andthen,thedreamshiftedtomypreviouslife'sparentstalkingaboutmeinthelivingroom.
Becauseitwasjustasceneinadream,Ididn'thearanyvoices.
Howeverstrangely,itwascleartomethatIwasthepointofthediscussion.
Weremyparentsatthattimeworriedaboutme?
Ididn'tevenknowthecauseofmyparent'sdeath.
Eventhoughthebothofthemdiedatthesametime,Iwasn'tevensickaboutit.
Wasitanaccident?Or,perhapsitwassuicide?
Justbeforethemomentoftheirdeath,Iwonderwhattheythoughtofme.
HowcouldIthinkofmyownselfasanythingotherthanthatofashamelessNEET?
Surely,therewouldhavebeenanirritatedfeeling.
Yeah,oratleastthoughtsabouthowIwasdeplorable.
But,thetruthis,Ijustdon'tknow.
Sometimes,Isawmymothersface.
Orfatherwhom,afteracertainpointtiredofdealingwithme,stoppedsayinganythingatall.
Atthetimeoftheirdeath,didtheythinkaboutmeforevenaninstant?
Andthen,therewasme.Me,whodidn'tevenattendtheirfuneral.WhatwasIeventhinking?
TonotevengatherthebonesofmyparentswhatonearthwasIthinking?
Why?WhydidInotevengototheirfuneral?
Iwasscared.
Eventhoughmyparentsdied,Icouldnotlaymyeyesuponthemandgrieve.
OthersturnedeyesofcontemptandhostilitytowardsthisshittyNEET.
Ofcoursethatwasn'tallitwas.
Iwasinnowayanadmirableperson.
Actually,atthattime,Ididn'tthinkthedeathofmyparentstobeasadthingatall.
Idon'tthinkIwassad,becauseIdidn'tthinkmyparentshadanyloveforme.
103/204
4/2/2016
Thefeelingof,[Thisisbad,whatamIgoingtodonow?]wasstrongerthanthefeelingsofcaringaboutthedeathofmyparents.
Fromthispoint,Iwasn'tevenabletostomachlookingatmyself.
IdonotintendtojustifymyactionsitwasjustsomethingthatIdid.
Thissituationoflosingmylastrefugeofescapismputmebetweenarockandahardplacethissituationsuddenlythrewme
unpreparedintothedepthsofreality.
Everyonewantstohaveoneortwoplacestoescapehimselforherself.
ThoughIhaveregrets,Ihowever,amnotbeingblamed.
But,attheveryleast,
Ishouldhaveatleastgonetothefuneral.
Ijustcannotunderstandwhatwasinmythoughtsatthattime.
Ishouldhaveatleastseenthelastfaceofmyparents.
Ishouldhaveatleastpickeduptheirbones.
WasthelastfaceofPaulnotworthworryingabout?
Itwasn'talaughingface.
Itwasn'tevenafacethatseemedsatisfied.
However,clingingtothecornersofthemouthwasahintofarelievedsmile.
Whatwereyourlastwordsgoingtobe?
Whatkindoffacesdidmypreviousparentsexpresswhentheydied?
Why?Whydidn'tIseeit?
Oh,howmuchIwantedtoreturnandseetheirfaces.
Part3
Thenextday.
Wakingupwastheworst.
Thefeelingofwantingtodonothingexerteditsinfluenceovermywholebody.
However,somehowIcheatedit,andgotoutofbed.
Iwenttothenextroom,toLiliaandZenith.
WhenLiliaseesme,shegivesmealookofastonishment.
"Rudeussama,areyoufeelingallrightnow?"
"Sortof,forthetimebeing.Wouldn'titbetroublesomeifIkeptresting?"
"It'sokayevenifRudeussamaneedstorestabitlonger,noonewouldminditatall."
ListeningtoLilia'sadvice,IwenttothebedroomwhereIfollowedanurgetokeepresting.
However,morethanthat,therewasanurgetodosomething,thefeelingIhadtokeepmovingforward.
"Pleaseallowmetoremainhere."
"Isthathowitis?Understood,please,haveaseatthen."
104/204
4/2/2016
Intheend,IdecidedtoexamineZenithsstate,withthecompanyofLilia.
HowmanydayshasZenithbeenasleepfornow?
Itwasthreedaysoutofthelabyrinth,onedaytoLapan,andsoonthefourthday,shehasstillnotawoken?
NomatterhowmanytimesIlookather,itseemstomethatsheisjustasleep.
Eventhoughshe'sbeenasleepforhowevermanydays,Idon'tgetthesensethatshe'slostanyweight.
Rather,she'sactuallyveryhealthylooking.
ThesamewaytheZenithinmymemorylooked.
Nor,doesitseemthatshe'sagedevenalittlemore.
Herhandsandcheeksfeltwarmtothetouch,andwhenIputmyearnearhermouth,Iheardherbreathing.
It'sjustshehasn'twokenup.
Maybeshe'llbethiswayforawhile.
Ifshestayslikethis,won'tsheeventuallyweakenanddie?
Suchathoughtinstantlycrossedmymind.
However,Idon'tdarespeakitaloud.
TherearethingsIdon'tneedtosay,andtherearethingsIjustshouldn't.
LiliaandIjustquietlywatchedoverZenith.
Occasionally,VeraorSherawouldcomeandtalk.
However,whattheytalkedaboutdidn'tremaininmymemory.
IateamealwithLilia.
Iwasn'tfeelingveryhungry,andthefoodmanagedtosticktomythroat.
ThoughItriedtowashitdownwithwater,Inearlyvomiteditoutanyway.
Itwasn'tuntilmiddaythattherewasanykindofchangeintheconditionofZenith.
LiliawatchingwithmesawZenithslowlyopeninghereyelidswithasmallgroan,
"Mmn"
InthatroomwereLilia,Vera,andI.
Veraimmediatelyranofftocalltheothers.
Iattentivelywatchedoverherasshetriedtostraightenherbodyupright.
Normally,whensomeoneisasleepforanumberofdays,it'sdifficulttositup.
However,Zenithwasabletositupalmostentirelyonherown,withalittlehelpfromLilia.
"GoodMorning,Madam."
Lilia'ssmilebloomswhenshespoketoZenith.
ZenithafterrisinguplookedatLiliawithaparticularlydimface.
105/204
4/2/2016
"Mm?"
Zenith'svoice.
Itwasafamiliarvoicetome.
IfIthoughtaboutit,whenIwasbornintothisworld,Ihadheardhervoicefirst.
Avoicethatemitsafeelingofrelief.
Ifeltrelieved.
Paulhaddied.
However,wemanagedtosavethepersonwhomPaulwantedtorescue.
Shewassafelyalive.
WeaccomplishedPaul'swill.
WhenZenithhearsthatPaulhasdied,shewillbegintomourn.
And,mostlikely,cry.
However,betweenLilia,Zenith,andI,wecanatleastsharethegriefthreeways.
"Mother"
Itseemslikenowisnotthebesttimetosayit.
Whensheisabletotakeiteasyandunderstandthepresentsituationabitbetter.
It'llbefineafterthat.
It'sbesttotakethingsslowlyandsequentially.
Idon'tthinkitwouldbewiseatalltopushtheharshrealityonhersosuddenly.
First,meetingZenithafterallthistime,shouldn'titbeapleasantthing?
"?"
Zenithhadalookofmildconfusion.
Withanaction,shepushedmychestaway.
Shehadforgottenme.
Itcan'tbehelped.
It'sthesameasitwaswithRoxy.
Becausetimehaspassed,myfacehaschanged.
Itmightbeashocknow,butit'llbecomeafunnystorylater.
"Madam,thishereisRudeus.It'sbeennearlytenyearssinceyousawhimlast."
""
Zenithstaresatmeabsentmindedly.
AndthenmovesherstaretoLilia.
InmymotherseyestheyreflectthefaceofLilia.
106/204
4/2/2016
"?"
Andthenshereturnedtolookingconfusedagain.
TheeyesofLiliaopenwide.
Somethingstrangeisgoingon.
Definitelystrange.
Forawhilenow,Zenith'sfacewasexpressionless.
It'speculiarthatshemanagedtogetupaftersolong.
But,perhapssomethingelseisthematter?
Idon'thavethewordsforit.
Shecanonlygroan.
Andthecurrentgesture,
AgesturethatmakesitseemlikeshehasforgottenLilia.
Icanunderstandifit'sjustme,buthowcanshepossiblyforgettheexistenceofLilia?
Liliagrewalittleolder,sure.
But,notsomuchthattherewasadrasticchange.
Evenherhairstyleandclothesarethesameasalways.
"AeA"
Hervoicewaspoor.
Hereyesweredim.
Herwordswerelost.
Wecanonlyobserveherreaction.
"Madamcoulditpossiblybe?"
Liliaseemedtonoticeittoo.
[Coulditpossiblybe?]
Weunderstoodthemeaningsofthosewordsthere.
It'sajokeright,thatshelosthermind?
LiliaandItalkedaboutthismanytimes.
""
Wereachedaconclusionimmediately.
ThoughZenithreactstoourvoices.
However,shecannotreplywithwords.
Thatit'spossibleshecan'tunderstandwhatwearesaying.
107/204
4/2/2016
"Rudeussamathemadamislost."
Zenithlosteverything.
Hermemories,knowledge,andwisdom.
Allthreethingsthatisvitaltoformaperson.
She'saninvalid.
She'snotcapableofrememberingPaul.
MymotherdoesntevenrememberLiliaorI.
Who?How?Whathappenedthatitbecamelikethis?
Tobenotabletorememberanything,
Inotherwords,shecannotgrievethedeathofPaul.
WecannotsharethegriefwithZenith,
Suchafactisnowmadeclear.
"Ah
Myheartisbroken.
Part4
Sincethen,Iwonderhowmanydayshavepassed.
Mysenseoftimehasbecomevague.
Waking,sleeping.
Sleeping,waking.
Irepeatedthemotionsmanytimes.
WhenIslept,mydreamskeptplayingbackthemomentsofPaul'sdeath.
PaulslashestheHydra.
TheHydra'sneckswingsaround.
Paulpushesmeawaytoevadetheattack.
ThenPaulmovesandtheHydramoves.
Iamunabletomove.
Paulkicksmeandsendsmeflyingoutoftheway.TheheadoftheHydrafallsinfrontofme.
Then,Ijumptomyfeet.
ItakeamomenttoreaffirmthatI'mnotinadream,andthendropmyselfbackintothebed.
Ididnothavetheenergytostand.
OnlyenoughenergytothinkmythoughtsareonlyonPaul.
Paul.
108/204
4/2/2016
Thatguy.
Hewasbynomeansapraiseworthyguyatall.
Hewasascumbagphilanderer,andanegotisticalshowoff.
Hewasweaktoadversity,andquicktoescapetothebottle.
Surely,asmaterialforafather,hewouldbedisqualified.
ButIlovedhim.
But,itwasadifferentkindoflove.
TheloveofPaulwasverydifferent.
ThePaulIcametoknowwasmorelikea"partnerincrime.
Whilemymentalagewassuperior,Paul'sphysicalagewassuperior.
Evenifyouaccountedforalltheknowledgeofmypreviouslife,becauseIwasashutinforatleasttenyearsofthatlife,Paul
probablyhadtheupperhandinlifeexperience.
Butthatdoesn'tmatter.
Agedoesn'tmatter.
WhenItalkedwithPaul,IgotthestrongfeelingheandIwerethesametypeofman.
Iwasneverabletoseehimasa"father.
WhenIwasachild,Ineverreallythoughtmuchofhim.
But,
Paultookthetimetoraisemeproperly,ashischild.
Thischild,bornfromthecontentsofadeplorablethirtyyearold,
Andwho,nomatterhowothersobservedhim,heexhibitedstrangebehavior.
Paulsawmeasfamily,andneverlookedawayinshame.
Therewerecertainpartsthatfatherandsoncouldn'tmeet.
Buteventhen,thisguysawmewithoutfail,ashisrelation.
Therewasneveratimewhenhetreatedmelikeanoutsider.
Totheveryend,Iwashisson.
Hesawmeonlyashis[son],thesuperman.
Wewerecompletelybackwards.
Butthatguyhadbeenmyfathertheentireway.
Andhecontinuedbeingafather,evenwhilehehadtomovearoundandbalancesomanythings.
Andthen,heprotectedmeuntiltheveryend.
He,thefather,protectedme,theson.
Heriskeditall,tosaveme.
Becauseitwasthemostnaturalacthecoulddoasafather.
Andbecauseofthat,hedied.
109/204
4/2/2016
It'sastrangestory.
Me,whoisn'tachild,
Paul,whowasthefather,
Paul,whohadtworealchildren,
Unlikemyfakeself,Imean,authentic,genuinechildren.
Unlikemyfakeself,whohadhissoulfromanotherworldputinamalebody,hehadtwodocile,cutedaughters.
NornandAisha.
Now,Iwillhavetobetheonetoprotectthem.
Don'tyouhavetwowivesaswell?
Zenith,whoyousearchedhardforoversomanyyearsandfinallyfound,
AndLilia,whosupportedyouallthattimeuntilyoucouldfindher.
Twowivesandtwodaughters.
Fourpeopleintotal.
Howcouldyouleavethesefourpeoplebehind,Paul?
Weren'ttheythemostimportantpeopletoyou?
forPaul,perhapsImighthavebeenoneofthoseaswell.
Twowives,twodaughters,andhisonlyson.
Allfiveofusareequallyimportanttohim.
Although,Ineverwatchedhiminthecapacityofafather,
Thatguy'sthoughtsalwayscherishedme.
AAH!SHIT!WHYTHEFUARGH!
Paul.
Please,pleaseforgiveme
Howmanytimesdidyousayit?
[Rudi,I'lltryandtreatyoulikeaman.]
Didyoutreatmeasaman?
Igotmarried,Iboughtahouse,Itookinmysisters,andIfeltlikeIbecameproperlyindependent.
Icametohelpyou.Ieventookanactiveroleinthelabyrinthparty.
Itwasmyintentiontoremainindependent.
Didyouhaveanytroubleseeingit?
Andattheend,helpingme,evenatthecostofyourownlife.Whatdidyouwanttotellmewithyourlastwords?
Yet,why?
Damnit,why
110/204
4/2/2016
Whydidyoustillprotectme,whobecameindependent?
WhenIhavetogobacktoNornandAisha,howdoItellthemaboutyou?
Withthecurrentstateofthings,howshouldIexplainittothem?
TotheextentofZenith,whatshouldIdoforher?
Andfromthispointahead,howshouldIcontinue?
Canyouteachme,Paul?
Truthfully,whatdidyouthinkaboutattheend?
Shit.
Didyouexpecttodie?
Ahh,goddamnit!
WhydidIhavetoletyoudie,Paul,justwhenyouwerefinallygoingtobefreeofallyourworries.
Ifonlyhelived,nooneelsewouldhavetobetroubledintheend.
[Hah,thisisnogood,isn'tit?]
Sadnessoverflowed.
Mytearsendlesslyspillout.
Duringmylifeno,mypreviouslife,whenmymotherandfatherdied,Inevertrulywept.
Ididn'teventhinkitwasasadthing.
Yet,whenPauldied,thetearscame.
It'ssad.
It'shardtobelieve.
Theoneguywhowasn'tsupposedtodisappearhaddisappeared.
Paulwasmyfather.
Hewasmyfather.
EvenifIneverthoughtofhimasafather,
Asmuchastheonesofmypreviouslife,hewasmyparent.
Part5
Ithinkandthink,
Icryandcry,
Iamsoexhausted.
[Idon'twanttodoanything.]
Withmylethargy,Ihavenotbeenabletomovefromthisoneroom.
EvenifIknowtherearethingsthatstillneedtobedone,Icannotmustertheenergy.
Idon'thaveenoughpowertoleavetheroomeven.
Isleep,Iwake,andIsit.
111/204
4/2/2016
Dayswastedwithbarelychangingmybodyposture.
LiliaandElinalisetookthetimetocomecheckuponme.
Theytalkedaboutsomethingwithme.
However,Idonotrememberwhatitwas.
ItfeltlikeIwassuddenlylisteningtoanunknownlanguage,andIwasunabletounderstandthewordsthattheyspoke.
EvenifIunderstoodthemeaningofthewords,it'sstilljustaslikelythatIwouldn'thavebeenabletogiveaproperreply.
Ididnothavethewords.
Ididnothavethewords,evenforthem.
Supposing,
SupposeforamomentthatI,forexample,couldhavehandledaswordbetterincombat.
Then,IalsocouldhavehelpedinseveringtheneckoftheHydra.
WouldPaulreallyhavehadtodiethen?
PaulandIwouldslicetheheadsoff,andthenRoxyandIwouldsealitwithflames.
IfIhadbeenabletodecapitateheadstoo,wecouldhavedefeateditfarmoreeasilythanwhatactuallyhappened.
EvenifIcouldhaveatleastworntouki.
Or,ifIcouldhavejustdodgedoutofthewayabitfaster.
ByevadingtheattackoftheHydra,Paulwouldn'thavehadtoprotectme.
Or,
IfIwallopedPaulhardatthattime,andmadeusreturnatonce.
Whenwereturned,wecouldhavecalmlyheldastrategymeeting.
Wemayhavecomeupwithagoodplanforhowtohandleit.
Nottheimpulsivewaywebarelymanaged,butareallygoodidea.
Iftheplanwasdifferent,ifitwasjustevenalittledifferent
However,it'stoolate.
Paulhasdied.
Icannolongerseethedeadfaceofmyparent.
EvenifIcomeupwithanythingnow,itisalreadyfartoolate.
WebChapter127FacingForward
Part1
Acertaintavern,
fourpeopleweresittingatatable.
112/204
4/2/2016
Amongstthehustlingandbustlinginsidethebar,onlythatplacewasgloomy.
Allfourofthemhadadarkexpression.
"...SoPauldied,huh."
Awomanwithluxuriousblondehairandlongears.
Elinalizewaswhisperingtoherself.
"Yeah,hedied."
AmanfromtheMagicRacethathadthefaceofamonkey.
Gisusaidthatashelookedatthemughewasholding.
"Hediedprotectinghisson.That'shistruewish."
Amaledwarfthathadaburlybeard.
Talhandrepliedwithoutcare.
However,hehadnotensioninhisvoice.
Eventhoughhedrankenoughofhisfavoritedrinktobecomewasted,therewasnosignsofhimbeingdrunk.
"WithZenithlikethistoo,Paulwouldn'thavebeencheerful."
AtGisu'swords,Talhandwentsilentandfocusedonhisdrink.
Zenithhadbecomeacripple,towhichtheyhadreceivedquiteashock.
AspeoplethatknewZenithtobesomeonebrightandlively,theshockwasevenbiggertothem.
Nevertheless,theywereadventurers.
Theywerefamiliarwithdeath.
EvenifZenithhaddied,theywouldhavetoleratedandacceptedthatfact.
"Well,shesurvived.Perhaps,theremaybeachancetohealher."
Talhandsaidthatwithoutanysenseofconfidence.
Therehavesometimesbeentalesofsomeonebecomingacrippleduetoamonster'spoison.
However,therewerenotalesaboutthembeinghealed.
Iftheneckwascutoff,oriftheheadwassmashed,
113/204
4/2/2016
EvenGodclasshealingmagicwouldnotbeabletohealthat.
"Evenifshecanwalk,ortalk,hermemorieswon'treturn."
Elinalizesaidthatasifgivinguponthatidea.
"What,Elinalize.Itseemsyouknowalotaboutthis."
"...That'sjustthewayitis."
Elinalizedidn'texplainitindetail.
ShehaslivedmuchlongerthanTalhandorGisu.
Shesaidthatasifshehadseencasessimilartothisone.
That'swhysheknows.
However,asiftofeelthatsomeformofhopewasn'tgone,Talhanddidnotpressanyfurther.
"...So,theproblemnow,isthatsonofhis."
Talhandspoke.
"Yeah..."
Hearingthat,hisvoicewentupwithasigh.
RudeusGreyrat.
Paul'sson,althoughithasbeenclosetoaweek,hadnotsteppedoutofhisroom.
"Thatguy,he'sgotnoenergy,anddoesn'twannadoanything."
"It'slikehe'sacripplehimself."
ElinalizeandGisusaidinagreement.
Rudeushadbecomeashellofhisformerself.
Evenwhencallingouttohim,hedidnotanswer.
Withholloweyes,hesaid[Oh]andmerelynodded.
"RudiwasquiteattachedtoPaul."
114/204
4/2/2016
ThegirlfromtheMagicRacewithbluehair.
RoxyMigurdia,whohadbeensilentuptonow,whisperedsoftly.
WhatshesawinhermindwasaveryyoungRudeuswhowaslearningswordsmanshipfromPaul.
RudeuscontinuedtoswinghisswordwithadisappointedfacenomatterhowmanytimesPaulbeathimdown.
Itwasaboythathadabundleoftalent.
Forsomeonethathadn'tspentsuchtimewiththatfamily,itwasadazzlingscenerytothepointoffeelingenvious.
"Well,IcanunderstandSenpai'sfeelings.But,it'llbebadatthisrate."
"That'sright."
Rudeushasnottakenasinglebitesincethatday.
Eventhoughhewasencouragedtoeat,henoddedwithan[Oh],anddidn'teatatall.
Attheminimum,thoughhewasdrinkingwater,itwasclearasdayhewasbecomingincreasinglyhaggard.
Hiseyesweresunk,hischeekshollowed,onewouldthinkthathelookedlikedeath.
Ifhewasleftalonelikethis,he'llreallydie.
Everybodyherethoughtthat.
"...Wemustcheerhimupagainsomehow."
AtRoxy'swords,GisuglancedatElinalize.
"Heyyou,don'tyoudo[That]allthetimeintimeslikethese?"
"Ican'tdothat."
Elinalizerepliedimmediately.
Theonewhodidn'tunderstand[That]wasRoxy.
"Whatcan'tbedone?"
"..."
GisuandTalhandlookedateachother,thenshutthemselvesup.
115/204
4/2/2016
Roxyknithereyebrowsinpuzzlement.
"Elinalize,doyouhavesomekindofplan?"
"...Idonot."
Elinalizeansweredthatlikeshewantedtogetsomethingoverwith.
"Well,anyway."
Gisuwasscratchingcheek.
Talhandwasdrinkinghisbeerlikeitwassomethinginteresting.
"Well,anyway.Intimeslikethis,it'sbesttoforgetbygoingallouttoplay."
"Play?"
"Menareselfinterestedcreatures.Bydrinkingbeer,sleepingwithgirls,andfeelinggood,theyimmediatelyfeelthejoyof
living,andwouldfeelbetteragain."
"Ah....!Ahh,Isee."
EvenRoxycanunderstandwhatwasbeingsaid.
ShecouldunderstandwhatElinalize,whowasattractedtomen,woulddo.
"I,Isee.Mme,menarelikethat!Isee!Isee..."
Roxywaslookingdownwitharedface.
Whenamanfeelsdown,hemakeslovetoawoman.
Itfeelslikeshehadheardsomethinglikethisbefore.
Especiallyformercenaries,beforeandafterthebattle,wouldbuyagirltodistracttheirfears.
Therewereevenmanyadventurerswhowouldheadtobrothelsimmediatelyafteraneardeathexperienceonaquest.
However,thinkingofRudeusandElinalizegettingtogether,Roxywasleftwithdepressioninherheart.
"Elinalize.Didn'tyousaythisinthepast?Thatyouweregoodatcomfortingheartbrokenmen."
"Ididsaythat."
116/204
4/2/2016
Roxywasthinking.
Certainly,Elinalizewasgoodatthat.
Shehasnumerousrelationshipswithmenonaroutinebasis,andhaveheardthatshehasalsoquitethetechnique.
Withsomeoneasexperiencedasher,itwaspossibletomakeRudeusgetbackonhisfeet.
Thoughitwasmortifying,it'ssomethingthatcan'tbehelped.
"That'srare.Ifitwastheregularyou,youwouldn'thaveleftSenpaialonerightnow."
Shecouldn'tbearlookingatRudeusrightnow.
EvenElinalizewantedtohelpandcomforthim.
However,sheunderstood.
IfsheusedRudeus'sgriefasareasontomakelovetohimhere,whatwilltheydowhentheyreturn?
BetrayingClif,betrayingSylphy.
Rudeuswouldnottakethatcalmly.
"EvenIhavepartnersthatIcan'tdo."
"Whyisitthatyoucan'tdoitwithRudi?"
RoxyglaresatElinalize.
"EventhoughRudiissufferingsomuch..."
"Well..."
Elinalizestartedtospeak,thenrealized.
ThatRoxydidn'tknow.
"BecauseRudeus'swifeismygranddaughter."
"...Eh!?"
Roxylosthergriponhermug.
Themugfellonthetablewithaclank.
Whilespillingitscontents,themugrolledonthetable,fellontheground,andmadeadrysound.
117/204
4/2/2016
"Eh,Rudi,ishemarried?"
"Yeah.He'smarried.He'sabouttohaveachild."
"I,Isee...w,wellit'sobviousisn'tit,Rudibeingofageandall..."
Roxywasunabletohidehertrembling,andpickedupthemugonthefloor.
Then,wantingtodrinkwhat'sinside,sherealizeditspilled,thenorderedanotherone.
"Ah,pleasegivemethestrongestoneinthehouse."
Roxyfoldedherarmswithhereyesspinning.
Marriage.
OfcourseRudeuswouldgetmarried,yeah.
It'ssomethingnormal.
Yeah.
Shekepttalkingtoherselflikethat.
Then,rememberingherownactionsinthelabyrinth,shegritherteeth.
ShethoughtthatRudiwasfreeandtooktheinitiative.
Shehadwantedtomakeagoodimpression,butshewasnottreatedasanobstaclebecauseshewasmerelyanacquaintanceinthe
end.
Itmusthavebeenlaughableandridiculous,beingrightbesidehim.
Shewantedtoscream,[Whydidn'tanybodytellmethis?!]
But,shekeptthecomplainttothebackofherthroat.
Rightnowshewasn'tworryingaboutherself.
"B,But,eventhoughhe'smarried,thisisanemergency,surelyevenoncewouldbefine?"
Roxydidnotevenunderstandwhatsheherselfwassaying.
JustthatshefeltthatshewantedRudeustogetbetteragain.
"...Maybethatisso,butIcannotdoit."
Elinalizesaidthatwithsomefrustration.
Evenseeingherfrustratedface,Roxycouldnotunderstandherfeelings.
118/204
4/2/2016
"...Hereyougo."
"Ah,thanks."
Therewasthedrinkthatshehadordered.
Roxystirredthemug,thendrankitallinonego.
Aburningsensationspreadinherbonedriedthroat.
Itwasfrighteninglytasty,showingthatthebodyreallywantedthatalcohol.
"Besides,formetoRudeus..."
Elinalizeclosedhermouththere.
"Well,evenifIcan'tdoit,wouldn'titbefineifGisubringshimtoabrothelaroundhere?"
"Iwonder.Makinglovetosomeonehedoesn'tknow,IdoubtRudeuswouldgetbetterwiththat."
"Well,whatthatchildreallyneeds,issomeonereliabletoleanon."
"Then,Lilia?"
"LikeIsaid..."
"Yeah,Igetit,don'tbesoangry."
Elinalize'sheartwascomplex.
Shedoesn'twanttointerferewithSylphy'smarriage.
However,shewantstohelpRudeus.
IfshemakeslovetoRudeus,shemaybeabletocheerhimupagain.
Shewasconfidentinthat.
However,shefeltcertainthatisamistake,andthatitwouldbesomethingthatcannotbeundone.
Ifitwastheusual,shewouldplaythepartofthevillain.
Uptillnow,shehaddonesomanytimes.
However,whenshefeltthatshedidnotwanttobetrayCliffhere,shecouldnolongerdoit.
"..."
119/204
4/2/2016
Then,silencefollowed.
Onlythequietsoundofdrinkingcontinued.
Therewasnobodythatcalledouttothisunevengroupoffour.
Onlyovertherewasitasquietasthenight.
"Inanycase,Zenithhadbecomelikethat.
IwantSenpaitohurryandgetbackonhisfeet,thenwecansaygoodbyetothistown."
WithGisu'swords,theremainingthreesighed.
"You'reright..."
Theywerealltired.
It'sbeensixyears.
Sixlongyears.
SincetheTeleportationIncident,sixyearshavepassed.
Itwasdefinitelynotashortperiodoftime.
HeadingfromtheCentralContinenttowardstheMagicContinent,thencrossingfromtheMagicContinenttotheBegaritto
Continent.
And,finally.
SearchingintheTeleportationLabyrinth.
Thereweretoughandpainfultimes.
However,allofitwassomethingonecouldlookbackandlaughat.
Certainly,theTeleportationIncidentwasanunfortunateevent.
But,forthem,itwasn'tfullofjustmisfortune.
Thepartythathadsplitupgathereduplittlebylittle.
ElinalizeandTalhandpartieduponceagain.
GisumovedforthesakeofPaul.
PaulandTalhandgotalongagain.
And,ultimately,PaulandElinalizefoughtsidebysideoncemore.
Thinkingthatthesethingswouldneverhappenagain,withPaulastheircenter,theygottogetheragain.
120/204
4/2/2016
AfterrescuingZenith,theywouldlocateGhyslaine,andeverybodywoulddrinktogether.
Thatiswhateverybodyhadthought.
However,Pauldied.
Withjustthat,theyfeltasenseofwearinessthatcan'tbedescribed.
Likeanythingandeverythinghadbeenruined.
Eventhoughtheyspentsomuchtimebuildinguptothat.
Thesenseofwearinessinthatallhadbeentrampledintheveryend.
Itwasn'tjustRudeuswhohadbecomelethargic.
"Well,he'sRudeus,thesonofPaulandZenith.Hemaybedepressedrightnow,buthe'lleventuallycomearoundonhisown."
"...Ihopeyou'reright."
"..."
AtTalhand'swords,twopeoplenoddedvaguely.
TheyknewRudeus'sweakness.
Nevertheless,he'salready16,nolongerachild.
Eventhoughithasbeenpainful,hisheartisthatofasplendidadult.
Deathvisitseverybody,anditissomethingadventurersarefamiliarwith.
Parentswillsomedaydie.
Anybodywillovercomethat.
That'swhy,evenRudeuswilleventuallydosotoo.
"..."
Theonlypersonthatwasn'tnoddingwasRoxy.
Shehadremembered.
Whathappenedalongtimeago.
Part2
Rudeus'sPOV
121/204
4/2/2016
WhenIlookedoutthewindow,itwasevening.
Isatonthebedabsentmindedly.
Howmanydayshavepassedsincethen?
Itdoesn'treallymatter.
Nomatterhowmanydaysithasbeen.
<Knock,knock>
Suddenly,therewasaknockonthedoorway.
"Rudi,mayI?"
Lookingup,Roxywasstandingthere.
GuessIleftthedooropen.
"...Sensei."
Itfeltlikeit'sbeenforeversinceIspoke.
ThoughmyvoicewassohoarsethatIdidn'tknowifRoxyhearditornot.
Roxywalkedbrisklytowardsme.
Itfeltstrange.
Iwonderwhy.
Ahh,Isee,shedoesn'thaveherrobeontoday.
Shewaswearingaverythintopandbottomclothing.
Howunusual.
"Excuseme."
Sayingthatwithafirmtone,Roxysatnexttome.
Forawhile,wesatinsilenceforafewseconds.
Asifchoosingherwords,Roxywhispered.
"Forachangeofpace,wouldyouliketocomeoutwithme?"
122/204
4/2/2016
"...?"
"Yeah,therearealotofmagicalitemsthatyoucan'tfindonanyothercontinents.Ifwelookaroundhere,itcouldturnouttobe
quitefun,youknow?"
"No..."
Iwasn'tinthemood.
"I,Isee."
"Sorry."
Roxy'sinvitation.
Iunderstandshewastryingtocheermeup.
Normally,I'dfollowherlikeadog.
However,Idon'tfeellikeitrightnow.
"..."
"...."
Again,silencefilledtheroom.
Again,asifchoosingherwords,Roxywhispered.
"...It'sregrettablewhathappenedtoPaulandZenith."
Regrettable.
Isitfinetosettlethiswithjustthewordregrettable?
Well,forRoxy,it'smerelysomeoneelse'sbusiness.
"IalsorememberthetimewhenthefiveofuslivedinBuinaVillagequitewell.
Tome,itmayhavebeenthehappiesttimeofmylife."
"..."
Roxysaidthatquietly,andheldmyhand.
Roxy'shandwashot.
"WhenIwasanadventurer,itwasn'trareforpeopleclosetometodie.Ifeelyourpain,becauseIalsoexperiencedit."
123/204
4/2/2016
"...Pleasedon'tlie."
IhadmetRoxy'sparentsbefore.
Thosetwowerehealthy.
Ihadn'theardthemtalkabouthavinganyotherchildren.
"Aren'tyourfatherandmotherwell?"
"Let'ssee,thoughthelasttimeImetthemwasafewyearsago,bothmyparentsarefine.Theycouldliveforanotherhundred
years."
"Then,youdon'tunderstand!"
Ifeltsomeonerisingupfromthebottomofmyheart,andIshookoffRoxy'shand.
"Pleasedon'tsaysuchthoughtlessthings!"
Iyelledinaloudvoice.
AsIyelled,Ifeltmyremainingamountofpowercomeoutofmybody.
EvenwhileRoxylookedtakenaback,shewhisperedwithaseriousexpression.
"Theonewhodied,waswhenIwasjuststartingoutasanadventurer.Hehadpartiedwithme,andtaughtmethebasicsof
adventuring.Thoughhewasn'tmyparent,Iconsideredhimasanolderbrother."
"..."
"Hediedwhilecoveringforme."
"..."
"Iwasalsoindistress."
"..."
"That'swhy,Icanatleastunderstandafragmentofyourfeelings."
Then,youdon'tunderstandafterall.
Youdon'tknowmyfeelingsbeingtornbetweenmypastselfwhoreincarnatedandthecurrentsituation.
Honestly,Idon'tthinkIcangetoverthis.
EvenifIknowwhatRoxyisthinkingthatcanmakemebetteragain,Idon'thavethewilltofollowitthrough.
"WhenIlivedatBuinaVillage,Iwastrulyhappy.
124/204
4/2/2016
WhenIthoughtofgoingtothekingdomofAsuratoworkIcouldn'tfindanyjobs,
sothenwhenIwenttothecountryside,andthoughtofplanningtostartasateacher,Rudiwasoverflowingwithtalent,evenPaul
andZenithtreatedmewarmly.
Theymayhavebeentheonesthattaughtmetheactualwarmthofafamily."
Sayingthat,Roxylookedatmyeyes.
Hereyeswereclear.
"Tome,itwasasecondfamily."
Roxygotupfromthebedasshesaidthat.
Shewentbehindme,andwhensheknelt,shehuggedmyheadclosely.
"Rudi.Iwillshareyoursorrowwithyou."
Ifeltsomethingsoftatthebackofmyhead.
IcouldhearRoxy'sheartbeatthumping.
Itwasarelaxingsound.
Iwonderwhyhearingthissoundmademefeelrelieved.
IwonderwhyIfelteverythingwillbeokay.
Thesamegoesforthesmell.
Roxy'ssmellmademeatpeace.
Insuchahardtime,whenIrememberRoxy'ssmell,itmysteriouslybecamemysupport.
Iwonderwhy.
Theanswerwascomingoutofmythroat.
Butitdidn'tcome.
"IamyourShisho.AlthoughIamasmallandinadequateShisho,Ihavelivedlongerthanyou,andamsturdy.Idon'tmindifyou
wishtoleanonme."
IgrabbedRoxy'shandinfrontofme.
Itwasasmallhand.
But,itfeltbig.
Lookingatthishandalsomademefeelatease.
125/204
4/2/2016
IwonderifI'llbemoreateaseifIwasclosertoher.
"Evenifit'spainful,iftwopeopleshareit,itwillbecomelighter."
Roxypartedfrommeasshesaidthat.
Instinctively,IpulledRoxy'shandtowardsme.
"Ah."
Hersmallbodyeasilyfellonmylap.
Oureyesmetdirectly.
Herslightlysleepyeyeswerewetwithtears.
Herfacewasbrightred,andhermouthwasshuttight.
Iplacedmyhandonherbackanddrewhercloser.
ThesoundofRoxy'sheartbeatwasgettingfaster.
Itwaswarm.
"It,it'sokay,youknow?"
Iwonderwhat'sokay.
"W,whenmalesaregrieving,whentheysleepwithawoman,Iheardtheywouldfeelrefreshed."
Whosaidthat?
Ah,mustbeElinalize.
WhatisRoxysayingatatimelikethis?
"Womenarethesame,theyalsowanttoforgetpainfulthings,andit'spainfulformewhenPauldied.IfRudiisokaywithit,I
don'tmindatallifyousleepwithme."
Roxykepttalkinghurriedly.
126/204
4/2/2016
"That'sright.Iwanttoforgetaboutallthis.Butwithabodythathasnoappeal...Ifyoudon'tlikeit,youcangotoabrothelyou
know?"
Roxykepttalkingasifmakingexcuses.
ThispersonwasagirlthatIneverceasedtorespect.
IfIdidwhatIwastoldandsleptwithher,Iwonderwhatitwouldbelike.
"W,well,eventhoughIlooklikethisI'mveryexperienced,andIthinkIcandomuchbetterthantheotherlittlegirls.We'lldo
thiscasually,justtowashawaythisbadmood,andjusttryitoutforonce..."
Roxy'sincoherentwordscouldnotreachme.
Iwasinthemood.
JusthearingherheartbeatIfeltsomuchmorerelaxed.
IfIgetclosertoher,IwonderifIwouldfeelevenmorecomfortable?
Iwasthinkingofexcuseslikethat.
"Ah,well,ifyou'retalkingaboutsomeonewhowouldbebetter,Idon'tmindbowingtoElinalize...ah!"
IpushedRoxydownonthebed.
Veryviolently.
ItmightbethatIwasventingoutallmyanger.
Part3
Thenextmorning.
WhatIwokeuptothefirstthingtowasRoxy'ssleepingface.
TheinnocentsleepingfaceofRoxywithherhairdown.
Atthesametime,thethought[Ididitnow...]crossedmymind.
"Haa..."
Isighed.
WhatshouldIsaytoSylphy...
127/204
4/2/2016
"..."
Myworrieshaveincreasedbyone.
But,forsomereason,Ifeltlikemyvisionbecameclearagain.
Asifallmyworrieshadbeenadream.
Istillhadsomefeelingsofdepressionwithinme.
Butthiswasnotmeatmymostdepressed.
Itcouldnotevenbecomparedtoyesterday.
Iwonderwhy.
Iwonderifit'sbecausetheactofcreatinglifehealedthesadnessoflosingit?
"Mn."
Then,Roxy'seyessnappedopen.
Aftershetookalonghardlookatmewhowasinfrontofher,shesquirmedasiftryingtohideherbodyundertheblanket.
"Goodmorning,Rudi..."
Then,shemurmuredwhilefacingaway.
"Um,howwasit?"
Askingme[How?],Iwon'tlie.
ItreatedRoxyveryviolently.
Roxybeingexperiencedwasaflatoutlie.
Evenso,sheacceptedeverything,refusingtocomplainaboutthepain.
It'ssomethingIamgratefulandapologeticfor.
AssomeonewholovesSylphy,praisingRoxyfeltlikeataboo.
Tobefrank,Roxy'sbodywassmall,andslightlydidnotmatchmysize.
But,itwouldbealietosayIdidn'tfeelgood.
Rightnow,IamcertainIfeelquiterelaxed.
IdonothavetolieandhurtRoxy'sfeelings.
128/204
4/2/2016
"Itfeltgreat."
Roxy'sfacequicklyturnedred.
"Thankyouverymu...no,notthat,Iwantedtoaskifyoufeltalittlebetter."
Oh,that.
Ifailed.
"Yeah."
"Then,ifyouhugmeinreturn,I'llbehappy."
"...Yeah."
AsIwastold,IhuggedRoxy.
Roxy'sskinwassoft,moistandabitsticky.
Shewassweatingafterall.
Fromhersoftskin,IcouldhearRoxy'sheartbeat.
Itwasarelaxingsound.
"Rudi'sarmsarequiteburly.It'sasifyouweren'tamagicianatall."
"...I'vebeentraining."
Roxysaidthatwhilestrokingmychestandarms.
Withsuchacuteact,myloveforSylphywaveredjustabit.
IslowlypulledawayfromRoxy'sbody.
Then,Igotup.
IfeltlikeIwantedtoaskhersomething.
"Roxysensei.MayIasksomethingstrange?"
"...Whatisit?"
Sheprobablynoticedtheatmospherearoundme.
129/204
4/2/2016
Roxyalsogotupwithaseriousface,andsatinakneelingpositionontopofthebed.
AnakedRoxysittingontopofthebedinkneelingposition.
Becauseitwassoeroticthatitmightbebad,Iturnedawaymygaze.
Coveringmybottomhalfwithablanket,Icontinuedtotalk.
"Thisisjustamadeupstory..."
Withthatintroduction,
Ibegantotalk.
Astoryofacertainman.
Asafictiontotheend.
Amanwhosecludedhimselfwhenbadthingshappenedtohimwhenhewasyoung.
Hewasclosetotwentyyearsold,andlivedliketrashwhileleechingoffofhisparents.
However,oneday,hisparentshadsuddenlydied.
Thatmannotonlydidnotgotothefuneral,butonthecontrarydidtheworstthingahumanbeingcando.
Seeingthat,hisotherfamilymembersbeathimupandthrewhimoutofthehouse.
Themanhadlosteverything,butluckbroughthimtoanewland,andheturnedoveranewleaf,anddevotedhimselftochange
forthebetter.
Hislifestylewasgoingwell,andhethoughtthathewouldbehappyifthingskeptlikethis.
But,currentlyrightnow,becauseofabigfailure,heletapersonimportanttohimdie.
Becauseofthat,thatmanrememberedhisparentsdeaths.
Thatmanonlythenhadmournedhisparents'deaths.
Itoldthatkindofstory.
ThemoreItalkedaboutthis,itfeltmyheartwasspewingoutpus.
IwonderifIjustwantedsomeonetohearthis.
Wasitsomethingthateasy,Iwonder?
"..."
Roxylistenedquietly.
Notcuttinginwithagreement,justsilentlylistening.
130/204
4/2/2016
"Whatdoyouthinkthatmanshoulddo?"
"..."
Roxyremainedsilent.
Shemightnotknowhowtorespondwhenbeingtoldsuchastoryallofasudden.
Therewouldbenowaythatshewouldbelievethatthiswasastoryofmylife.
Sheisawiseperson,soshemaythinkthatthereisahiddenmeaningtoit.
"...Ifitwasme,Iwouldgotomyparents'graves.Idon'tthinkit'stoolateevennow.Thesamewithtalkingtotheotherfamily
members."
"But,thegravesandthefamilymembersarefaraway,andhecan'teasilygotothem.Hemayalsobeunabletoreturn.Thatman
hasanotherlife,hemadeafamilyinthenewland,andhecherishesthemdearly."
"Hecan'tgoback?"
"Yes.Inthefirstplace,thepossibilitythathecan'tgobackisquitehigh."
Roxyagainbecamesilentatthat.
But,thistimeitwasshort.
"Inthatcase,there'snothingtobedone.Now,heshouldtakecareofthefamilythat'sinfrontofhim."
Roxy'swordswereawfullyclich.
Theywerewordsanybodycouldcomeupwithandsay.
Itwasn'tspecialoranything,justsomethingthatwasobvious.
"EvenPaulwouldhavewishedforyoutodoso,Rudi."
Roxysaidsomethingobviousinamatteroffactway.
Selfflattering.
Commonplacewords.
Wordsthatsheheardfromsomewhere.
"Pleasefacethefuture.Everybodyiswaitingforyou."
But,myheartfeltrefreshed.
131/204
4/2/2016
Yeah.
Itwascommon.
Thedeathofmyparentsinmypreviouslife,andPaul'sdeathaswell.
Thiswassomethingobvious.
Thereisnochoicebuttoacceptthatandfaceforward.
Iamlivinginthisworld.
AndIwillcontinuetoliveinthisworld.
Paul'sdeath,andZeniththatbecameacripple.
Theanxietyofgoingbackandtellingthattomywaitingfamilyinthenorth.
Theanxietyofnotknowingwhattodonow.
Itwasafuturefullofanxiety.
But,Imustn'trunaway.
Ihavenochoicebuttosolvewhat'sinfrontofmerightnow.
ThoughIdonotknowspecificallywhatIshoulddo.
Ihavenochoicebuttosolvethemonebyone.
Comingtothisworld,hadn'tIalreadydecided?
Thatinthisworld,Iwillliveittothefullest.
Then,Imustnotturnmyeyesaway.
Nomatterwhatkindofdifficultiesoccurfromnowon,Iwillovercomethem.
It'snogoodifIdon'tatleastthat.
Yes,I'verealizedonceagain.
Thoughrealizingthat,it'snotlikethepainsubsided.
However,IfeltthatIbrokeoutofsomething.
"Sensei."
"Yes."
"Thankyouverymuch."
Again,Roxyhasrescuedme.
Evengivingthankswouldnotbeenough.
132/204
4/2/2016
WebChapter128ReturnHome
Part1
Zenith.
Idecidedtotalktosomeoneabouther.
OnceIcalmdowntothinkaboutit,Irealizethatherproblemsaren'tminealone.
IhavesomeoneIcandiscussitwith.
BecauseIstillhaveafamilymemberhere.
"Sensei,IwanttotalktoLiliaaboutthefuture."
"Yes,that'sforthebest."
RoxyandItidiedourselvesandleavetheroom.
Rightaswecameout,weranintoElinaliseleavingherownroomaswell.
HereyeswidenwhenshesawmewithRoxy.
"Roxy,you..."
"Rudi,sorry,IhavesomestufftodiscusswithElinalise.PleaseseeLiliaonyourowninstead."
Stuff?
Whatcoulditbe?
Well,ifshesaiditlikethat,maybeit'sbetterifI'mnotpresent.
"Iunderstand."
IleftRoxyandheadedtowardZenith'sroom.
Iglancedbackbrieflybeforeentering.RoxyandElinalisewentintotheirroomaswell.
"..."
Anyways,IenteredZenith'sroom.
Zenithwassittingonherbed,withLiliaonachairbesideher.
Thesceneremindsmeofahospitalroom.Ibitmylips.
"Lilia."
"What'sthematter,Rudeussama?"
LiliawasvisiblyfatiguedfromservingZenith.
Firstthingsfirst,Ineedtoknowwhatshethinks.
133/204
4/2/2016
"Sorryformakingyoutakecareofmother."
"No,thisismyjob."
"Oh."
Job,isthatit?
Eventhoughnooneislefttopayher?
"How'smother?"
IsneakedapeekatZenithandnoticedshehasbeenstaringatmetheentiretime.
But,shedoesnothing,saidnothing.
Yetshestillstaresatme.
"Well,eventhoughshehasnomemory,miraculouslyherbodyishealthy.Shehasstaminaandnostrangecomplications.Stuff
likeeatingandchangingclothing,shecandoitonherownafterbeingtaughtonce."
"Isthatso."
She'snotacompleteinvalidthen.
Theonlythingshelostwashermemory.
"AccordingtoSherasama'sdiagnosis,it'sasymptomofbeingtrappedbymagiccrystalandoverwhelmedbymagic."
"Canitbecured?"
"AccordingtoElinalisesama,probablynot."
AccordingtoElinalise?
Isshefamiliarwiththesetypesofsituations?
Still,Ithinkit'stooearlytogiveup.
Atleast,there'snogooddoctorsaroundheretoexamineher.
"Iwilltakegoodcareofmadam.Masterisnolongerhere,soI'lltakecareofherfromnowon."
"I'lldoeverythingIcanaswell..."
AfterIsaidso.Liliarepliesimmediately,
"There'snoneedforthat."
It'slikeshe'spushingmeaway.
"Eh..."
134/204
4/2/2016
Avoiceofshockcameoutofmymouth,butatthesametimeIrealizedthatitwasn'tsounreasonable.
Daddied,Momisintrouble,yetIcouldn'tdoanything.
EvenifLiliahatesme,itisn'tunreasonable.
ButLiliacontinues,
"Rudeussama,forgivemytransgressions,butwhatI'llsaywillbeimpolite."
"Whatisit?"
"IthinkRudeussamahasthingsyou'llhavetodo."
"Myownthings?"
"Mastersaidsoaswell."
Idon'tthinkPaulwouldsaidsomethinglikethat.
Thatguyistooselfcenteredforthat.
"Servingmadamismypurpose.It'swhyI'mhere."
Liliaistired.
Very,verytired.
Yet,alsotough.
ShealreadyleftPaul'sdeathbehindherandtookthenextstep.
Ineedtolearnfromhertoo.
"Lilia,there'ssomethingIwanttoaskyou,butitmightangeryou."
"...Iwon'tbe."
"WhatarethethingsImustdo?"
EventhoughthisisthequestionIshouldfigureoutmyself,butIaskedanyways.
Liliastaredatmeinshock.
Evenforsomeoneasthickasme,Ihavesomeidea.
ButIreallywanttohearitfromsomeoneelse.
"Inmyopinion,firstyouneedtotellNornsamaaboutMaster'sdeath."
Yes.
It'stimetoheadhome
Part2
Nextday.
Igatheredeveryonetogetheranddeclaredthatweshouldleavethecity.
AlmostlikeIamnowtheleader,buteveryoneconfirmedmydecision.
135/204
4/2/2016
IsitbecausetheyconsidermeasPaul'sreplacement?
Inthatcase,thenIwillplaythatrole.
FirstIwanttodiscussourroutehome.
ToavoidtalkingabouttheTeleportationMagicCircle,Iexplainedthatwehavesomespecialmethodoftravel.
Also,Iforewarnedthemnottoletthewordoutaboutthis.
"But,Gisuseemslikethetypethatwouldleakoncehe'sdrunk."
"Ah,well,eveninthatcaseIwon'tfessupSenpai'sname.Don'tworry."
Thatguydoesn'tknowhowtoshutup.
Iwon'ttellthemtheexactcoordinates.
MaybeIshouldmakethemwearblindfoldsbeforeenteringtheruins.
Oh,that'sagoodidea.
Let'sdothat,blindfolds.
"Travelshouldbefine,butSenpai,areyoureallyokaynow."
Gisuseemsstillworriedaboutme.
Afrownonhismonkeyface,hespiesatme.
"Canyouseeanythingwrong?'
"Well,no...Ah,alotbetterthanbefore."
"Thenit'sfine."
Tobehonest,I'mnotperfectlyfine.
ButthankstoRoxy,Icrawledoutoftheabyss.
But,howdowedealwiththetriphome?
"Lilia,how'smotherdoing?Amonthandhalfinthedesert,canshehandlethatkindoftravel?"
"I'mnotsure,butI'lltaketheresponsibilityoftakingcareofher."
"...Pleasedo."
Liliaacceptstheresponsibilityearnestly.
Ishouldbeabletohelptoo.
Aslongasshehasstaminaforit,wecantakeitslowly.
"Thenshouldwebuyacarriageofsomekind?"
"Butwe'llhavetothrowitawaymidway?"
"Notabigdeal.Moneyisnolongeraproblem."
136/204
4/2/2016
GisuandothersseemtohavereturnedtotheLabyrinthwhileIwasfeelingsorryformyselfandcamebackwithallthetreasures
fromthebossroom.
ManyadventurersfellpreytotheLabyrinthinitslonghistory.
Magicalitemswereplentifulthere.
Moreover,theyevenlootedthescalesofftheHydra,orrather,thosemagicstonesthatcovereditsskin.
Thosearemagicstonesthatcanabsorbmagicalenergy.
Accordingtothem,sellingthesecanbringinanenormousamountofwealth.
"We'llcarryeverythingwecantosellatAsuraEmpire."
Gisusaidsomethinglikethatashetakesoutbagsofmagicstones,necklaces,ringsandotheraccessoriestoshowme.
Paul'sdead,Ifellintodepression,andthisguyisstillthinkingaboutmoney.
Thinkingaboutthatkindofpissedmeoff.
ButifIthinkaboutthefuture,notgoingbackwouldbestupid.
Moneyisimportant.It'snotlikewedidn'tworkforit.
Gisumadetherightjudgement.
Besides,themewhofelldepressedanddidnothinghasnorighttocomplainaboutanything.
"WegaveSenpai'ssharetoLiliaalready."
Looksliketheissueofsplitwerediscussedanddecidedbyeveryonebesidesme.
Mysharewasparticularlylarge.
BesidesPaul'ssplit,Talhandsaid,[ThistimeIwasn'tofmuchuse.]andgavehalfofhistome.
SheraandVeratoo,becausehowharditmustbewithPauldead,gaveLiliasomeoftheirs.
Then,Liliadecidedtogiveallofittome.
Inmyopinion,everyonedidtheirpart,sotheyshouldjustacceptwhat'stheirs.
Ohwell,I'llacceptit.
It'strue,thefuturemightbecomehard.
"Also,eventhoughwecheckedthebottomfloorindetail,wenevercouldfigureoutwhatcausedZenithtoenduplikethat."
"Isthatso?Sorryforthetrouble."
"Noproblem."
Westillcouldn'tfigureouthowZenithenduptrappedintheMagicCrystal.
Eitherway,evenifwedid,itmightnotrelatetoacure.
Inanycase,wecantalkaboutacureoncewegetback.
"Then,mayIleavethetravelpreparationstoGisuand...Elinalise?"
"Okay."
"Gotit."
137/204
4/2/2016
Itshouldbefinetoleaveittothosetwo...
Part3
Thetravelplanwasverycomprehensive.
Theroutesalsoveryclear.
Everyonehereareallexperiencedtravelers.
Butwedon'twantanymorevictims.
Toavoidanymistakes,weplanouteveryduediligence.
Wealsocollectedallthereportsaboutbanditsandconfirmedescaperoutes.
Eventhoughit'sabitofroundabout,butthatshouldbefine.
I'malittleconcernedaboutZenith,butthatwassolvedprettyquickly.
Gisupurchasedanarmadillolikemonsterandcarriage.
Seemslikeacarriagemadeespeciallyforthedesert.
Gottohandittohimforfindingsomethinglikethat.
Apparently,thisarmadilloisawelltrainedmonsterfromeasternBegaritto.
It'sabitexpensive,soIthoughtit'dbeawastetothrowaway,butsomesacrificescan'tbehelped.
...MaybeIcanteleportthearmadillobackwithmetoo.
Itshouldbefineaslongasitcangetpassthestairs,right?
Butwhatifitcouldn'thandletheweatheranddies...?
Still,ifIleaveitaloneinthedesert,it'lldieanyways.
Inthatcase,it'llbebetteroffifIbringitovertothatsideandselltoacollectorinstead.
Preparationsdone.
Let'sgo
Part4
Travelwentbysmoothly.
Luckilyweavoidthelocationswithbandits.
Eventhoughweencounteredmonsters,butwithallthememberscollectedhere,there'snolongeranydanger.
2Warriors,2Magicians,1MagicWarrior,1Healer.
Evenwithsomeweakerindividuals,it'sstillaverybalancedparty.
OriginallythereoughttobeaSwordsmantoo.
...Forgetit,don'tthinkaboutitanymore.
TravelingwithoutalefthandhasbeenmoretroublesomethanIexpected.
Eventhoughitdoesn'thurt,butduringencountersIoftenunconsciouslytriedtousemylefthandandswingempty.
Alotofthingsareharderwithouttwohands.
Still,everytimethathappens,Roxywouldcometomyaid.
Sincethatnight,Roxywouldalwaysstickbymyside.
Usuallyshewalksonmyleftside.
138/204
4/2/2016
Wheneversomethinghappens,she'llimmediatelygivemeahand.
Thewaysheconductsherselfisalmostlikealover.
"..."
I'manidiot.
EventhoughItriedtobecomesharper,butasaman,I'mstillslow.
Butwiththingslikethis,evenIcan'tignoreit.
Roxy,sheprobably,likesme
Part5
"...Em,Sensei."
Oneday,we'reonwatchduty.
RoxyandIsatshouldertoshoulderbeforeabonfire.
Everyoneelseisasleepintheshelter.
Theshelterisverysturdy,butyouneverknow.
Becauseofthat,wealwayshave2persononguardinrotation.
"Whatisit,Rudi?"
Roxyissoclosetome.
Sittingbymyside,stickingtightlynexttome.
Icanfeelthewarmthandsoftnessofhertinyshouldersthroughherrobes.
Justlikealover.
No,exactlylikealover.
WithRoxyclinging,flittinglikethat,itwouldbenonsensetosayotherwise.
Anyways,that'sprobablywhatshehasinmind.
DoessheknowthatI'malreadymarried?
Sheprobablydoesn't.
Ifshedoes,sheprobablywon'tbesoforwardlikethis.
No,it'snotRoxy'sfault.
It'smine.
Iwasunfaithful.
IwentunfaithfulbehindSylphy'sback.
Ibettercomecleanheretoo.
I'mverythankful.
I'mfinenow.
Icouldn'tfacemywife,solet'sstophere.
139/204
4/2/2016
"..."
EversincecomingtothisworldandmeetingRoxy,Ihavealwaysreliedonher.
Shetaughtmemagicandlanguage.
BefriendingSylphy,insomewaysitwasthankstoRoxyaswell.
EventhoughtheonethatcuredmyEDwasSylphy,butfor3yearswhatsupportedmewasthatpreciousthingthatRoxygave
me.
Icouldneverreturnthatkindness.
Moreover,sheevenusedherbodytocomfortme.
Eventhoughit'sherfirsttime,shestillputherselfforwardtohelpme.
Helpedthemewhomfellintotheabyss.
Helpingauselesstrashlikeme.
HowcanIjustthrowheraway,oncethingsareover?
Whatkindofetiquetteisthat.
...No,Ican'tjustplaypretendanymore.
Help?
Etiquette?
Noneofthatmatters.
IlikeRoxy.
Iloveher.
IfaskedwhoIlikebetter,Sylphyorher.Iwon'tknowhowtoanswer.
ThewaysIlikethemaredifferent.
BecauseIwavered.
Itendeduplikethis.
ItendedupthatIlikeSylphyandRoxyatthesametime.
But,IpromisedtobefaithfultoSylphy.
EventhoughIbrokethatpromise,apromiseisapromise.
EventhoughIbrokeit,Imustcontinuetorespectit.
But,Sylphyhassaid,[Amistressisfine.]
ButIpushedthatwayandpromisedtoloveheronly.
Ipromisedher!
Backthen,withoutadoubt,Sylphyfelthappinessfromthat.
Ican'tbetrayher.
"I'mreallythankful.But,tobehonest,I'malreadymarried,andI'llsoonhaveachild.Becauseofthat,actinglikeloverslikethis,
well,althoughI'msorry.Canwestopthis?"
Roxy'sshouldersshivered.
Then,shemurmurs,
140/204
4/2/2016
"Ialreadyknewaboutyourmarriage.Elinalisealreadytoldme."
"Ah,isthatso."
Doingthiseventhoughsheknew.
Inthatcase,thenthatmeans.
What'sgoingon?
"Ourrelationship,Iknow.Rudi,youdon'thavetoworry.I'mjustsomeonewhotookadvantageofRudiinhismomentof
weakness."
Roxyspokecandidlywithoutanyvariance.
"Iknowwellinnormalcircumstances,Rudiwouldnevertouchsomeoneasplainasme."
"Plain?That'snottrueatall."
"Youdon'thavetocomfortme.I'mveryaware."
Roxy'sbodyisindeedalittleplain.
Notalotofcurves,andverytinytoo.
Asforawoman'scharm,she'dlosetoSylphy.
Inanotherwords,lolitasize.
ButI'mthekindofguythatwouldsay[Thisisperfect!]
"Pleasedon'tworry.
IhavenoplanofforcingmyselfintoRudi'slife.
IjustwanttobeRudi'slefthandduringthistrip...
Afterthistripisover,Rudidoesn'thavetoworryaboutmeanymore.Pleasetakegoodcareofyourwife."
Roxystaredatmewithsomehesitationasshesaid.
"Iunderstand."
"..."
ButthefactthatRoxysavedmewouldn'tchange.
Itcan'tbeoverlikethis.
"Pleaseletmereturnthefavorsomehow.IsthereanythingIcando?"
"Favor?"
Roxylooksatmeinshock.
141/204
4/2/2016
"Yes,anythinginmypower,anythingwoulddo."
Roxy'seyessparkle.
Ahh,didIsaysomethingterrible?
Anythingcanbeverybad.
ButwithallthatRoxy'sdoneforme,"anything"isperfectlyreasonable.
"Eh,then,well."
"Oh"
"...Wouldyoulistentomyexplanation?Justlisteningisfine."
"Oh?"
Explanation.
Explanationforwhat?
"Okay,Iunderstand.Pleasespeak."
"..."
Roxyfellsilentforawhile.
Then,murmuringshebeginstospeak.
"I,itwasloveatfirstsight."
"Withwhom?"
"Eh?"
"Itcouldn'tbedad?"
"No,it'sRudi,whenRudicameintotheLabyrinthtosaveme."
Ourreunion.
ThattimemyattitudetowardsRoxywastooridiculous.Icouldn'thelpbutstarthurling.
Tosuddenlyhugher,thenhurl.
Whyintheworldwouldshefallforme?
Ithoughtthat'dscareherawayfrommeinstead.
"Itcouldn'tbehelped.Atdeath'sdoor,justwhenIhadalreadygivenup,thentoberescuedbyaguyinsuchacoolfashion,even
Iwouldbemovedbysomethinglikethat."
"Iwascool?"
"LikehowIalwaysdreamtit."
Cool,eh?
Hearingthatmakesmewanttogiggle.
142/204
4/2/2016
"IntheLabyrinth,Iwasalwayswatchingyou."
"Nowyoumentionit,oursightdidmeetoften,butyoualwayslookedaway."
"That,because,lookingstraightatsomeoneascoolasRudi,isn'titreallyembarrassing?"
Embarrassed.
"...IknowI'mnogood."
Roxyspokeslowly.
"AtthebarElinaliseandItalkedaboutit.WhatdowedoaboutRudi.ElinaliseandGisusaiddon'tworry,thatyou'llgetbackup
onyourown.But,whenIthoughtaboutthetimeRudiandIspenttogetheratBuinavillage.RudiandPaultrainingswordarts
together.Howcloseyoutwoaretogether.Then,IsuddenlyrememberedwhenRudirodethehorseforthefirsttime.Backthen
Rudiwasveryscared.Yourbodyfrozeandyouwouldn'tmoveatall.BackthenIwasthinking,ah,eventhoughthiskidhas
talentslikeanadult,buthe'sstillreallyfragile.Then,Irememberagainswordtraining,andwhenRudiandPaulfoughttogether
intheLabyrinth."
"SeeingRudysodepressedandnotabletodoanything,IrealizedthatinrealityRudiismorefragilethanhelooks...Ithinkto
Rudi,Paul'sexistenceisn'tasimportantaseveryonemakesitouttobe.WhenPauldies,Rudifallingdepressedisn'tsomething
unsolvableeither."
"Depressedtothepointwhereyoucan'tpickyourselfbackup.No,ofcourse,Idon'tthinkIalonecanhelpRudigetbetter.I
heardRudihassomeoneyoulovealready.Ifit'sher,thenifRudifallsdepressed,shecandefinitelyhelpRudigetbetteragain."
"Butthatpersonisn'there.DuringRudi'scriticalmoment,sheisn'there.That'swhyIthought,someoneshoulddefinitelyhelp
Rudi.ButElinaliseandGisurefusedtodoanything.LiliahasZenith'ssituationtotakeoff.Then,Ithoughtitoughttobeme."
"Eventhoughthosesoundjustlikeabunchofexcuses,Ididn'tplantodothatkindofthingatthestart.EventhoughIfeelRudi
respectsme,butI'mjustamidget.EvenIdon'tknowRudi'slover,butifshe'sarelativeofElinalisethenshemustbeabeauty.I
thoughtRudidefinitelywon'tlookatme.Havingnothingtodowiththat,butatleastIshouldtaketheopportunityandseewhat
comesoutwithit."
"Yetinreality,Rudisuddenlygrabsontome.IneverimaginedthatIwouldeverfaceRudisoclosely.IthoughtImighthavea
chance.IheardElinaliseandthemtalkingaboutthis.IthoughtperhapsthatIcan.Becauseitcan'tbehelped,IlikeRudi."
Atthispoint,Roxystartstocry.
Watchingthisscene,Ifeltapaininmychest.
"...It'scruel.Marriageandstuff,theyknewIlikeRudi,yettheyonlytoldmeafterwards.It'stoocruel."
Whoisshetalkingtohere.
Notme.
It'sprobablyforElinalise.
ButIdidn'treporttoRoxyaboutmymarriageeither.
143/204
4/2/2016
EventhoughIdon'thaveaparticularreasonto,butIneversawanopportunitytomentionit.
I'mequallyresponsibletoo.
But,imagine,ifImetSylphyagain.
Savedbyher,fallenforher.
Thennaturallystarttogoafterher.
Despiteallthat,Sylphyalreadyhassomeonesheliked.
Iwoulddefinitelybehithardtoo.
NodoubtIwouldbehithard.
...IwanttorepayRoxy.
Roxydeservesit.
"Then,RoxySensei."
"Whatisit?"
But,whatdoIdo?
WhatcanIdotorepayher?
IfIdon'tbetraySylphy,canIsatisfyRoxy?
"Well,atleastonthistrip,canIrealizeSensei'swishes?Beforewegethome,IcanbeRoxysensei'slover,then..."
Thenwhat?
Nothingcanbedone.
Iknowthatwellmyself.
Nomatterforme,orforRoxy,there'snowaytofixanything.
ToSylphyI'matraitor.
Justdelayingtheinevitable,theworstidea.
"...That'saveryattractiveproposal."
Roxysaidthisasshetightlyhugsmyshoulder.
Then,shelightlytapsmyforehead.
"But,calmdown,youdon'thavetosaythat."
"...Iunderstand."
Don'thaveto.
AslongasRoxythinksso,thenIwillagreetoit.
Uptonowit'sbeenlikethis,andfromnowonit'llbethesame.
Isthatokay,Sensei?
144/204
4/2/2016
Part6
Amonthlater,wearrivedattheBazaar.
IboughtsomeglasswareasgiftsforSylphyandothers.
Oddshapedglassbottles,ahairclipmadeofredglassengravedwithtribaldesigns
Hopefullytheywon'tbreakbeforeIgethome.
Then,Ialsoboughtsomerice.
Seedlings.
AlthoughIdon'tthinktheywouldgrowproperly,butatleastIwanttotry.
Ifnot,Icaneatitanyways.
Thatnight,Elinalisebroughtthegirlsoutfordrinks.
Somethinglikeagirlsnightout.
Eventhoughattheirage,noneofthemcanproperlybecalledgirlsanymore.
OnlyLiliarefused,usingtakingcareofZenithasherexcuse.Everyoneelsewent,includingRoxy.
GisuandTalhandalsolefttogetherchattingaboutsomething.
IstayedintohelpLiliatakingcareofZenith.
Zenithspentalldayinadaze.
Shecanwalk,caneat,cangototherestroom.
Butshecan'tspeak,anddoesn'tshowanyinitiative.
Followingeveryinstructionalmostlikearobot.
Butevenlikethis,shewouldoccasionallystarestraightatme.
Nothinginparticular,juststaring.
Maybeshecanfeelsomethingfromherownfleshandblood.
Ifthere'satriggertogethermemoriesback...ah,probablynot.
Atthispoint,ifPaulwashere,whatwouldhappen?
Paul,whatwouldhedo?
Willhedowell?
Orwouldhesay,nogood,failed?
Atnight,Roxyreturnedbymyside.
Completelywasted.
ShetoldeverythingaboutustwotoElinalise.Nowshe'sregrettingit.
ThismustbehardonElinalisetoo.
ShesaidsheplanstotreatRoxyasfamily.
ShewantstohelpRoxywithherlove,butdoesn'twanttointerferewithhergranddaughter'smarriage.
Itmustbedifficultforher.
Roxyuseshertinyfiststoknockonmychest,thenshewentbacktoherownbed
Part7
Nextday.
Wearrivedattherock'sledge.
145/204
4/2/2016
Thecarriageusuallycan'treachthisplace,butIusedmagictoforcefullytransferitontopoftheledge.
Onthefirstday,thearmadillowaswaryofthesmellofgriffons,andrefusedtomove.
Lookingatthis,wemighthavetoleaveitattheBazaarinstead.
WhileIwasthinkingthat,Gisufeditmeatfromagriffonwedefeated,andthearmadillosuddenlyfeltsomething.
Fromtheseconddayforththatheavybodystartedtomoveforwardfullofspirit.
Lookslikeit'satrainingmethodthatanoldfriendfromaMagicRacetaughthim.
Takedownhispredatorinfrontandfeeditthemeat,andit'llnaturallyfeellikebeingpartofsomethingstrongerthanitsnatural
enemies,somethinglikethat.
Iaskhimwhethertheoldfriendwassomeonelizardfaced.HerepliedasexpectedofSenpaitoknowthisandlaughed.
Afteradayweenteredthedesert.
After3dayswepassedthesandstorm.
WhenIusedsandstormmagictostopthewind,Roxyspokequietlywithalittlejealousy[Evenyourearthmagichasreached
Saintlevel,amazing.]
Fromhereonthenumberofmonstersincreased,sowe'reparticularlycareful.
Despitethat,thistimearoundwehaveplentyofmanpower,allveterans.
Evenif1,2peoplefellintodanger,reinforcementswouldcomeimmediately.
TheSandGarudathatcamefirstweretakenoutimmediately.
Afterwardsthevelociraptorlikebipedallizardweretakenouttoo.
Ontheway,althoughIthoughttheSandWormscouldbedangerous,butGisufoundthemall.
Seemslikethere'satricktoit.
Afterheexplainsit,ifIlookcarefully,onthegroundtherearesomefaintdonutshapedoutlines.
OnceIpayattention,theybecomeeasytospot.
Despitethat,thedesertisn'texactlyflat,sooftentimesIcouldn'tquitetell.
Thisiswhattheycallexperience.
EventhoughSuccubicame,theyweretakenoutwithoutaproblem.
Withsomanygirlshere,wedon'thaveaprobleminbattle.
GisuandIwereaffectedbytheirpheromones,butwithintermediatedetoxification,itwasn'taproblem.
Ah,onlyaslightbitofinstinctswereexposed,comingontoRoxy.
Frighteningly,Talhandiscompletelyimmunetothepheromones.
Elinalisesaid,[That'snatural.]
Iguess,thisiswhattheycallallmusclesandnobrain.
Socool.
Arrivedattheruins.
Justasplanned,beforewereachedtheruinsIblindfoldeveryonebesidesElinalise.
Sheradoesn'twantto,butVerawasabletoconvinceher.
Travelingwithblindfolds.
Maybeit'salltalk,butaslongastheycan'tseethemagicbarrier,theywon'tknowwhathappened.
146/204
4/2/2016
Thecarriagecouldn'tfittheentrance,soweleftitbehind.
Ifit'sonlyaweek,thenevenZenithcanhandlethetriphome.
Nowthatwe'rehere,alittleslowerisjustfine.
TheArmadillofitsthroughtheentrance,sowebroughtittoo.
AlthoughI'mnotsurewhetheritcansurvivetheweatherontheotherside,atleastit'sbetterthanleavingitasmonsterbait.
Aftertakingofftheirblindfolds,Gisuandotherslookshockedwhentheysuddenlysawthechangeinscenery.
Fromthedesert,wesuddenlyarriveinthemiddleofaforest.
Itmustbeshocking.
Itoldthemverycarefully,eveniftheynoticedsomething,pleasedon'tleakit.
Anyways,justlikethat,welefttheBegarittoContinent.
Justabitmore,andwe'llbehome.
WebChapter129Return
Part1
Thenorthernlandsareblanketedinsnow.
Fromthebeginningofthejourney,ithasalreadybeenfourmonths.
Fall,theseasonwhenthebeastraceisinheat,haslongpassed.
Onlythelongwinterremains.
Intheheartoftheforest,eveninthemidstofdensevegetation,thesnowreachesuptoourwaist.
"ElinaliseandIwillleadtheway."
IheadtothefrontafterIsaidso.
I'lltakedownanythingthatshowsup,magicisnotaproblem.
Zenithdoesn'tshowmuchfatigueeither.
TheArmadilloshiversfromthecold,butit'sfineifitgetswarmedbymagiconceinawhile.
Everything'sfine.
Part2
Thatnight.
Elinaliseandmyturnfornightwatch.
Sheabruptlyspeaksup.
"Rudeus,Ihavesomethingtosay."
Icanalreadyguesswhatit'llbeabout.
It'sRoxy.
IsatdowninfrontofElinalise.
147/204
4/2/2016
Ifshereproachesme,Icanimmediatelykneeldown.
Elinalisesatdownwithherlegstotheside.
Whatwillsheyellatmefor?
BeingunfaithfultoSylphy?
OrforsleepingwithRoxy?
"Rudeus,youdon'tfollowMilis,right?"
Elinanisespeaks,butaboutneitherofthosethings.
"...?"
Idon'tunderstandwhereshe'sgoingat.
But,tome,onlyonepersonisworthyofGod.
Thatwouldneverchange.
"No."
"Also,Sylphydoesn'tbelieveinMiliseither?"
"Erm,thatshouldberight."
Sylphydoesn'tfollowanyreligion.
Orrather,betweenthepeopleImet,onlyCliffreallyisaMilisfollower.
CliffwouldalwayswearthesignofMilisonhisneck.Onceevery7days,hewouldgotothechurchformassorsomething.
Atleast,Sylphydidn'twearanyMilissymbolorattendservice.
MaybeonlyCliffdoesthosethings,sobeliefmightbepossible.
Atleast,Ineverheardaboutit.
"MyCliff,he'saMilisfollower."
"Yeah."
IwasjustthinkingaboutCliff,andconfirmedimmediately.
"Doyouknow?ForfollowersofMilis,oneofthecommandmentsaretomarryonlyonewife."
"Somethinglikethat."
"Tosay,lovethatwifeforever,evenifitcanbedifficult,butthat'salsoaformoflove.That'struehappiness."
That'showitoughttobe.
Toloveanotherwithallone'smight,andatthesametimebeloved,that'swhathappinessis.
Evenso,IstilldriftedandfellinlovewithRoxy.
IlikeRoxy,that'swithoutadoubt.
148/204
4/2/2016
But,thosemiserabledaysarestillvividinmymemory.
TheonewhocuredmeandbroughtmehappinesswasSylphy.
Iwanttouselovetorepayher.
Thisfeelingiswithoutadoubttoo.
"Butthat'sCliff."
"Yes."
"Idon'tagreethatthereisanythinginherentlywrongwithmultiplelovers."
"Elinalisemightthinkso,butwon'tthatbeunfaithful?"
Iaskedback,butElinaliseshookherhead.
"IfyoucastSylphyasidethenit'sanotherstory,butaslongasyouproperlyloveher,thatisn'tunfaithful."
"Butifthere'retwopartners,thenthelovetoeachofthembecomeshalved."
"It'snotlikeyousticktogetherallday,right?It'snothalved.Althoughitmightbeless,it'snotthatbad."
Isn'tlesspreciselytheproblem?
Humankind,aresodullagainstmore,butalsososensitivewithless.
IfSylphyfeltIhaven'tlovedherasmuchasIdid,thenthat'saseriousissue.
"Thinkaboutitthisway.AfterPaulmarriedLilia,wasZenithunhappy?"
Unhappy,happy?
AlthoughIthoughtPaulslightedher.
ButnowthatIthinkaboutit,therewasnotreallyanyunhappiness.
That'strueevennow.
Orrather,asaresultLiliaandZenithbecameevencloserfriends,evenhappierthanbefore.
Eventhoughwhenthetwowivesganguponhim,heseemedalittleunhappy.
Butthat'salsoaformofhappiness.
Butnow,thatkindofhappiness,isnomore.
"...Anyways,Elinalise,whatareyoutryingtosay."
SoIasked.
ThinkingaboutPaul,Ifeltatingeofpain.
Ifwekeepgoing,itwouldonlyhurtmore.
So,Idecidedtobeblunt.
"Rudeus,marryRoxy.Youlikeher,right?"
149/204
4/2/2016
Havinghersaythatkindofpissesmeoff.
"...Areyouserious?"
"Oh,ofcourseIam."
"Elinalise,shouldyoubesayingthis?AsSylphy'sgrandma,shouldn'tyouconsiderSylphy'shappinessinstead?"
Idon'thavearighttoblameElinalise.
TheunfaithfulIhavenoright.
BreakingmyvowwithSylphy,sleepingwithRoxy.
Nomatterwhatthesituationis,thosearethefacts.
YethereIamblamingsomeoneelseforthis.
"Erm,Isaidso.OnlyIcansayso."
Elinaliselookedatmeboastfully.
"PerhapsIcansaythisinadifferentway,but,beforeIwasSylphy'sgrandma,IhadalreadybecomeRoxy'sclosefriend."
Ididn'tunderstandherrightaway.
But,soonafterIrealizedit'sabouttheorderofthings.
It'sonlyaftermeetingRoxythatElinalisemetSylphy.
"Truthbetold,Ican'ttakeRoxylookinglikesodepressedanymore.Thatgirlobviouslywantstostaybyyourside.Sheclingson
toyou,yetplanstostepbackandleave.Onlybecauseshewasasteptoolate."
Hearingthatfromher,Roxyreallyisverypitiful.
But,fromSylphy'sperspective,Sylphyispitifultoo.
"Thatgirl,ifsheseparateswithyou,shewoulddefinitelysufferacruellife.Whoknowsifabadguyendsuptakingadvantageof
her,treatsherpoorly,thenfinallysellshertoabrothelformoney,andintheendhavingchildrentounknownfathers."
"Isn'tthatabitunrealistic?"
"OfthepeopleImet,somegirlshavewalkedthatpath."
Hervoiceisearnest.
Isitapersonalexperience?
"I,evenifIgetblamed,wanttoseeRoxyfindhappiness."
"Ialsowantto,but"
"Rudeus,ifit'syouit'spossible.YoucangiveRoxyandSylphyloveequally.YouarePaul'sson,yououghttohavethattypeof
aspiration."
150/204
4/2/2016
CanIdoit?
Icandoit.
Yes,Ican.
Because,Ilovethembothequallyinthefirstplace,there'snoreasonIcan't.
Butisthatreallyokay?
Canitbethatsimple?
Isn'tthatjustwishfulthinkingonmypart?
No.
...Thisisthetemptationofthedevil.
Ican'tlisten.
"No,onlySylphy..."
"Ididn'tplantosaythis,but"
Elinaliseinterruptedme.
Then,quietly,continues.
"Atournightout,IoverheardthatRoxy'sdidn'tcomethismonth."
"...Eh?"
Herperiod?
No,nopointpretending.It'sdefinitelythat.
Eh,butthat.
"Well,wedon'tknowforsureyet..."
No,butwedidit.
Ifit'sthat,thenit'spossible.
Afterwards,thatday,Roxypunchedmychestwithoutanypower.
Wasthatahint?
Elinalisespiesatmeforabit,continues.
"Rudeus,ifRoxyispregnant,whatwouldyoudo?"
Hearingthat,Paul'simagesuddenlycomestomymind.
Yes,thatwasthePaulfromwhenLiliawaspregnant.
ThePaulthatdoesn'tdeserveanysympathy.
Completelylostatwhattodo,Ihelpedhim.
Paulwasalsosomeonethatdeservesrespect.
ButIcan'tcopythehimbackthen.
151/204
4/2/2016
"...Iwouldtakeresponsibility."
"How?"
"Marryher."
Marry,soIsay.
SomehowIfeltforced.
Evenso,Ican'treallysayit.
Besides,aftersayingit,Isuddenlyfeelaweightoffmyshoulders.
IlikeSylphy.
But,IalsowanttomarryRoxy.
Idon'twantRoxytobestolenfromme,Iwanttomakehermine.
I'msoselfish.
AftertellingSylphythosewords,andevenhavingachild.
Thensuddenlywantinganotherwoman.
Unforgivable.
Consideringallthat,I'mbasicallythescumofmankind.
Untilnow,IalwayssaidthatPaulisscum.
But,I'malsoaman.
Ifellfortwowomen,andIwantthemboth.
IfIgetthemboth,what'swrongwiththat?
JustlikePaul.
IfthisledtofallingapartwithSylphyandRoxyleavingme.
ThenIwouldlosethemboth,justlikethat.
Em,that'sright.
Thisisn'tjustmyproblem.
"...IfRoxysenseiandSylphywouldagree,thenthat'sanothermatter."
"Alright,thenI'llgocallRoxyover."
"Eh?"
Elinalisestoodupasshesaidso.
Andsuddenlywentintoanearbytent.
Howfast.
Soonafter,Roxycameoutalone.
Doesn'tlooklikeshehasbeenasleep.
Shelooksatmenervously.
MaybeElinalisealreadysaidsomethingtoher.
"Doyouhavesomethingtotellme,Rudi?"
152/204
4/2/2016
Roxysatdowninfrontofme.
Asaresult,Ialsostraightenup.
WhatdoIsay.
Isn'tthistoofast?
Ihaven'tthoughtaboutwhattosayyet.
No,nopointinworryinganymore.
"Well,it'saboutwhatIsaidbefore."
"Oh."
"I...likeSensei.FromthestartIalwayslikedSensei.Notonlylike,butalsorespect.AlthoughSenseimayworrythatyourmagic
maynotbeasstrongasmine,butthatdoesn'tmattertome.ThemagicthatSenseitaughtmesavedmylifemanytimes.It's
becauseofSenseithatI'mstillalive."
Roxy'sfaceflushesred.
Myfaceprobablyisflushingrednowtoo.
Facetofacelikethisisreallyembarrassing.
"That,I'mreallygratefulthatyoufeltthisway."
"But,well,Ialreadyhaveawife."
"Oh,soIhaveheard."
Pleasebemysecondwife.
CanIsaythat?
Isn'tthatreallyinappropriate?
Can'tIsayitanybetter?
WhatdoIdo?
But,Istillhavetosayit.
NomatterhowIsayit,theresultswillbethesame.
Iwon'tseparatewithSylphy,andIalsowanttohaveRoxy.
Also,IneedtopreparemyselftotalktoSylphyafterwards.
TodosomethinglikethisbeforeSylphyknowsit.
I'mtrulyscum.
But,ifIdon'tsayitnow.
Roxymightleave.
She'sthekindofpersontoleaveforanewjourneyimmediatelyafter.
IfIdon'tkeepherbackbeforehand,Imightnothaveanotherchance.
That'senough.
EvenifIgetcalledscumafterwards,Idon'tcare.
"Mywife,hernameisSyphietteGreyrat.Originally,shedidn'thavealastname,justSyphiette."
153/204
4/2/2016
"Oh,soIhaveheard."
"Roxy,wouldyoualsochangeyournametoRoxyGreyrat?"
Roxylookedshockedallthesudden.
Yet,soonsheunderstoodwhatImeantandbitherlips.
But,quicklyherfacereturnedtoherusualseriousness.
"...Foryoutosaythat,I'mreallygrateful,butshouldn'tyougainyourwife'sapprovalfirst?"
Ofcourse,IneedtodiscussthiswithSylphy.
Tobecomefamilywithsomeoneshenevermetbefore.
Ineedtoexplainittomysistersaswell.
Liliatoo,Ineedtotellheralso.
"Ineedtogainherapproval."
"Inthatcase"
Iwasrejected.
Ofcourse,RoxywishedthatIonlypickher.
Justwhenthatthoughtcametome,
"Then,afteryoudothat,pleaseaskmeagain."
Intheflurryofsnow,Roxysaidinherusualseriousness.
[Afterthat,askagain.]
Thefactthatshedidn'trefusemewarmsmyheart.
Part3
WeapproachedMagicCitySharia.
ItoldLiliaaboutRoxy.
Shelookedexpressionlessassheusuallyis,
"Ah,Iunderstand."
That'sit.
Shedoesn'tparticularlyblameme.
Maybeit'sbecauseshetoowasinRoxy'sposition.
That'sprobablynotit.OutsideofMilis,thisworlddoesn'thaveaonehusbandonewifetraditioninthefirstplace.
Regardless,myagreementwithRoxy,togaintheapprovalofLiliahelpedtakesomeweightoffmyshoulders.
154/204
4/2/2016
Next,onceIgethomeandreporttoSylphythejourney,IneedtoputmyheaddownforRoxy.
TellingAishaandNornaboutRoxyweighsheavilyonmetoo.
But,theyneedtoacceptthistoo.
WillNornwillgetangryandblameme?
WillAishastartcryingandblameme?
Iwon'trunaway.
Iwon'tregret.
"...Regret?"
Justnow,Ifeelasuddenunease.
It'sabouttheHitogami'sprophecy.
HesaidIwillregret.
It'sthetruth,Paul'sdead,Zenithbecameaninvalid,andIlostmylefthand.
Welostmanythings.
But,rightnowforsomereasonIdon'tfeelanyregret.
Perhapsit'sallthankstoRoxy,notanounceofregret.
It'strue,Ioncethought,perhapsifIwasstronger.
IfonlyIlearnedmoreaboutswordart.
IfonlyIwasstrongenoughtobeatthehydra.
It'strueIthoughtaboutthatonce.
But,atthesametime,thefeelingof[Itcan'tbehelped]rangstrongandtrue.
Inthisworld,I'mnotfitforbattle.
Idon'thaveFightingSpirit,norhaveanideaonhowtowearit.
Swordsmanshiptoo,withoutFightingSpirit,Ican'tgetbetter.
Moreovertheenemywasamagicimmunehydra,evenifIlearnedKingclassmagic,itwouldbepointless.
Eventhough,Ididthinktheremightbesomethingelse...
But,eventhatdoesn'tleavemeanyregrets.
Paulisdead.
But,becauseofhissacrifice,Icouldnowfacemypast.
EventhoughItroubledeveryone,eventhougheveryonewasconcerned,butintheend,IthinkIstillcameupontop.
Becauseofthat,Idon'tregret.
Onlyscarsremain.
Right,onlyscars.
MytriptotheBegarittoContinentleftonlyscars.
Noregrets.
Inthatcase,regret,woulditbewhathappensnext?
Don'ttellme.
SomethinghappenedtothesistersthatIleftbehind?
No,recallingwhatthatHitogamisaid.
155/204
4/2/2016
HementionedsomethingaboutPursenaandRinia.
Ormaybe,it'ssomethingtodowiththem?
Unlessit'saboutgettingtheirhelptosolvesomething.
Ormaybe,don'ttellme.
It'sthepregnantSylphy...
Outsideofthese,whatelsecanIregret?
Evenwiththisunease,wecan'ttravelanyfaster.
Theweatherworsened,thesnowfellheavier.
Everyone'sfine,butZenithseemsfatigued,soImadeasaddlewithEarthMagicandletherrideinstead.
TheArmadilloseemstobesufferingfromthechillandabouttodieanytimenow.
MaybeIshouldhaveleftitatthedesert.
No,it'stoolatealready.
Atleast,beforeitdiesitdeservesaname.
Jirou.
It'llbeJirou.
Doyourbest,Jirou!
5dayslaterwereachedthepathwecameon.
Fromhereittakes10daystoreachSharia.
Consideringtheentirejourney,thisisn'treallylong.
But,nowthatwe'rehere,thisfeltlikethelongestpartofthemall.
Part4
WearrivedatMagicCitySharia.
Iheadstraighttowardshome.
Icanfeelmypacequicken.
"Hey,Senpai,what'sup?Yourfaceisabitpale,maybeyoushouldusealittledetox?"
Gisulooksquiteworriedinhisbanter.
But,Icompletelyignorehimandkeepmovingforward.
"Oh,thisisthecitycenterright.Well,let'sstayherethen,somanypeoplegoingovertoSenpai'swouldjustbeabother"
Ididn'tbothertolistentowhoeverthatsaidthatbehindme.
"Hey,Senpai...Rudeus!"
Withoutrealizingit,Ibrokeintoarun.
Leavingeveryonebehind,Irushtowardshome.
Ilivedhereforoverayear,thepathIalwaysjoggedon,Iran.
156/204
4/2/2016
Icompletelyignoredeveryonearoundme.
Alwaysontheedgeoffallingover,Iran.
Itcan'tbehelped,mybalanceisterriblerightnow.
Withoutalefthand,Ican'trunproperly.
Ialmosttippedoverbeforesomeoneheldmebackup.
"Whatareyouinarushfor?"
It'sElinalise.
"No,Ijusthavealittlesomething."
"...Whatisit?Youjuststartpanickingallofasudden.Whathappened?"
"Ah,no,well.Idon'tknowwhy,butIfeltlikeSylphyisindanger."
"Danger?Forwhatreason?"
"None,really."
IshakeoffElinaliseandstartpacingahead.
Thisunease,Ineedtoclearitassoonaspossible.
Homeisrightbeforemyeyes.
Ifaccordingtoplan,thenSylphy'stummyshouldbebignow,sosheshouldbehome.
Whatifshealreadygavebirth,thenwouldn'tthatbepremature?
Inthatcase,don'ttellme
Anythingisfine.
Anythingisfine,Idon'tjustwantanythingbadtohappen.
Atmydoorstep.
Eventhoughthesnowbeginstopileup,buteverythinglooksaboutthesameasbefore.
Therearetreesandshrubsintheyardnow.
IsthatAisha'sdoing?
Itfeelsmoregorgeousnow.
Itookoutmykeyfromthebaggage.
Insertitintothekeyhole,itrattlesabit.
Thekeyfeltcoldmyhandisshaking.
Itwon'topenitwon'tturn.
"Ugh"
Iputmyhandonthedoorknockandrattletheicydoor.
"Isitalreadyopen?"
157/204
4/2/2016
HearingthatfromElinalisebehindme,Igrabbedthedoorknob.
Pushingitaside,thedooropens.
Bemorecareful!
IwalkedinasIthoughtsoandstarerightatthepersonbehindit.
"Bbrother!?"
"Aisha...iseverythingfine?"
"What'sfine?"
AishastareddumbfoundedfrommetotheElinalisebesidesme.
Then,alsotobehindme.
Ilookedback,Roxywaspantingthere.
Anyways,IgrabbedontoAisha'sshoulders.
Aishaseemedtohavefeltsomethingoddonherrightandstaredinthatdirection.Hereyeswiden.
Inshockshestaresbetweenmyhandandface.
"Eh,whathappened,brother,yourhand?"
"You'refine.ThenSylphy?"
"Eh?Eh...Em,Sylphysama,she'srighthere?"
Sylphylooksdumbfounded,standingrightbehindher.
Hertummygotbigger.
Ah,herbreastsgotbiggertoo.
IfIremembercorrectly,itshouldbe78monthsbynow.
She'llstartlactatingsoon.
No,eitherwayisfine.
"Rudi...Wwhat'swrong?"
"Sylphy,it'sfine?Didanythinghappen?"
"Eh?Em,everyone'sdoingwell,becauseAishawastryinghardtoo."
Sylphyisokay.
Ah,it'sobviousjustlookingather.
"Theneveryoneelse,Norn?CliffandZanobaandpeople,they'reallalright?"
"Eh?Alright?Nothingatallhappened?"
"Nobodyissickorinjured?"
"Em,em,nothingparticularly..."
158/204
4/2/2016
Sylphylooksdumbstruck.
I'mcompletelylostatwhatI'mtryingtosay.
Ah,Isee.
Me.
Ifinallygetit,nothingatallhappened.
"Bbrother...?"
Comingbacktomysenses,Aisha'sfacesuddenlylookedhigher.
Shesuregrew.
No,Icollapsed.
"Right."
Allmystrengthleftme.
Intheend,thatregret,isPaul'sdeath.
Also,thataboutmypastparents.
Iwasoverthinkingit.
"Aa..."
Realizingthis,Ifinallyletoutabreath.
"Thankgoodness."
Rightthen,Sylphyslowlywalksuptome,placingherhandonmyshoulder.
Ifeelthewarmthfromherhandslowlyspreadingfrommyshoulders.
Quicklyshekneeleddown,slowlyspreadherhandovermyback.
Iwrappedmyarmsaroundherback.
Thinkingononehand,thatwithoutmyleftIcouldn'thughertight,Ihughertightlywithmyother.
IcansmellSylphy'sfragrance.
"Rudi...welcomehome."
Paul,Zenith.
AndalsoRoxy.
TheyarealotthatImusttalkabout.
Ialsoneedtogowelcomeinthefriendsthathavebeenwaitingintheplaza.
BecauseIrushedbackherealone.
Iwasjustanxious.
159/204
4/2/2016
Nothinghappened,justtakemytime.
Butfirst,there'ssomethingIneedtosay.
"I'mback."
Iamback.
WebChapter130Report
Part1
Thingswerealittlebitflustered.
Firstoff,AisharantotheschooltoretrieveNorn.
WasshebeingconsideratebecauseofthesituationwithRoxy?Orwasitdifficulttostay?OrwasitbecauseIcalledbackGisu?
ItseemsthatElinalise'soriginalplanhadbeentoreturntoCliffatonce,butshewasenduringitfornow.
Untiltheyreturnedhere,fromSylphy,IaskedheraboutwhathappenedherewhileIwasaway.
Sylphy,understandingthatIprioritizedhearingaboutwhathappenedherebeforehand,didn'tcomplain,andbeganexplaining.
Firstofall,theconditionofSylphy.
Everythingseemstobeprogressingfavorably.
Accordingtowhatthedoctorsaid,thematterofthebabybeingbornwasproceedingaswellascanbeexpected.
Itseemsallofmycompanionshavebeenkeepingwell,also.
Whensomeminorincidentoccurredattheschooltheotherday,Nanahoshiappearedsuddenlyandsettledthematter.
Doingsomethingforsomeoneofthisworld,didshefinallychangeherwayofthinkingalittle?
AishaandNornmanagedtogetalongfinewithoutanyinjuriesorillnesses.
Aishaitseems,hasrapidlybeenexpandingherinterestingardening,
Itseemsshehasbeguncultivatinganewtypeofplantinherroom.
ShouldItakethetimetohavehershowme?
Atschool,itseemsNorn'sexistencehasbecomesomethinglikethatofanidol.
ThereisevensomethinglikeaFanclubthatexiststoo.
Nornisrathercuteafterall.
EvenZanoba,Cliff,Rinia,andPursenawouldsometimesdropbythehousetocheckonthestateofthings.
ItseemsArielhadmumbledsomecomplaintsaboutmenotstoppingbyandofferinggreetings.
Ah,that'srightIseemedtohaveforgottentodothat.
IwillapologizethenexttimeIseeher.
Ishouldtrynottoincreasemydebtstoheranyfurther.
Atanyrate,justfromwhatI'veheard,everyoneseemstobedoingfine.
Andwhentimeallows,Iwillfilltheothersinonwhathappenedaswell.
160/204
4/2/2016
However,itseemstherehavebeennosightingsofBadigadi.
Well,it'snotlikeanythingwillhappentoanimmortalguylikehimanyway.
Sowhathashappenedinthislasthalfyear?
MycuteaseverSylphyputafingertoherchin,andgivesitsomethought.
"Really,nothingandnobodyofincident,huh?"
"That'sright.NothingatallhappenedthatRudineedstobeconcernedwith."
"Isee."
"Ratherthanthat,let'stalkaboutyou,Rudi.Whathappenedwithyou?"
"Ah.I'lltellyou.However,itwillhavetobeaftereveryonehasgathered.Therearecertainreasonsforthis."
"Okay.Ah,I'msogladyoucameback."
So,intheplacewewerechatting,Roxyhasreturned.
IinviteGisuandcompanyintothelivingroom:
Gisu,Talhand,Lilia,Vera,Shera,Elinalise,andRoxy.
WithSylphyandI,doesthatmakeninepeople?
Evenwithsomanypeopleintheroom,itiswideenoughtoaccommodatemanymore.
"Oh,isthatSenpai'swife?Hehe,she'sacuteone,isn'tshe?Youarealuckyman,Senpai."
"Thatisalsomygrandchild!"
"Well,itseemsthateventhislewdbitch'sdefectiveswellingscanoccasionallybecomeashiningjewel."
"Whatdidyousay!?"
IgiveasidelongglancetothebackandforthgoingonbetweenElinaliseandGisu,andthenthetwoofthemgreetSylphy
properly.
Sylphysitsupstraight,andreturnsthegreetingsinaformalmanner.
"Nicetomeetyou,IamcalledRoxyMigurdia."
"Roxyyousay?ThenyouaretheShishowhoRudiisalwaysinhighpraiseof?"
"Yes,wellsortofIdon'tknowifI'mquitethepersonallofRudi'spridefulbragginghasmademeouttobe."
"Howdoyoudo?IalwayshearstoriesaboutyoufromRudi,IamSylphiette,itismyhonortofinallymeetyou."
"L,likewise"
Roxysomehowmadethingsveryawkward.
EventhoughIhadatalkwithheraboutthiskindofthingjusttheotherday,ofcourseitwouldstillturnoutlikethis.
However,thatconversationislonggone.
"It'sbeenawhile,Sylphiettesama."
"Liliasan,howlongit'sbeen!"
TowardsSylphy,Liliarespectfullystraightensherself,anddeeplybows.
Sylphyseemedhappywiththereunion,andhersmilespreadwideacrossherface.
However,soonthatsmilebecamestrained.
161/204
4/2/2016
"Umm,thewayyoujustaddressedmeasSylphiettesamacouldIhaveyoucallmeSylphylikeyoudidbackthen?"
"Icannot.ItisbecauseyouhavebecomethewifeofRudeussama,soitisnotpossibletodoitlikebefore."
"Is,isthatso"
Sylphyfeltasenseofobligation.
MaybeitwasbecauseSylphyhadbeentaughthowtomanageallofthehouseholdaffairsfromLilia.
Puttingitintherightcontext,LiliawassomethinglikeSylphy'sShisho.
MuchlikehowRoxywasforme.
Inthatway,it'sonlynaturalonegivesthemtheirduerespect.
"Then,AuntieZenith,it'sbeenawhilesinceI'veseenyouaswell."
Finally,
SylphyhadspokentoZenith.
"UmmAuntieZenith?"
""
ZenithjustseemedtospaceoutattherepeatedcallsofSylphy.
"Umm"
Sylphysawallofthetroubledfacesofthegathered.
Iwonderifshewasnothavingpleasantthoughtsaboutbeingmarriedtome,herfaceseemedtosayitafterall.
"Sylphy.ThethingwithFatherandMotheriswell,whenNornreturnsI'llexplainitall."
"Ah,thatremindsme,Ihaven'tseenPaulsanyet"
AfterImentionedhim,SylphybeganlookingaroundforPaul.
Butpartwaylooking,sheseemstounderstandsomethingseeingallthesomberfaces.
Andshecloseshermouthandkeepssilent.
ItwassilentuntilNorncameback.
Everyonethatwasgatheredherehadreachedthisimplicitunderstanding.
Part2
Afterashorttimehadpassed,AishaandNornhadreturned.
Thebothofthemhadrunoutofbreathhurryingback.
"Br,brother.It'sbeenalongjourneyforyou,thankyouforallyourhardwork!"
Norn,whilestillbreathingraggedly,bowsherheadlow.
And,asshesawmyhand,herfaceseemstobestartled.
"Brother,yourhand,areyousureyouareallright?"
162/204
4/2/2016
"Don'tyouworry,I'mfine.Althoughitmakesanumberofthingsinconvenientforme,I'matleastnotfeelinganypainfromit."
ComparedtowhatIhavetotalkaboutafterthismylefthandisarathertrivialmatter.
"If,ifyousayso."
Nornwhilestillbreathingheavily,surveystheroomrestlessly,shemuttersa"Huh?"whileshesitsdowninoneofthechairs.
Aishafollowingsuit,comesoverbyme,andasksmeonething.
"Oniisama,beforeyoubeginyourtalk,wouldn'titbebetterifIservedeveryoneteafirst?"
"That'sagoodidea.I'llleaveittoyou,sinceexplainingeverythingmaytakesometime."
"Ah,sorry.That'sreallysomethingIshouldhavedone,isn'tit?I'lllendyouahand."
"No,I'llbefinewithouttroublingtheMissus."
Afteraskingitofher,Aishabeginstomoveimmediately.
Teaforeveryoneisprepared,everyone'sluggageismovedtogetherintoasingleplace,jacketswetwithsnowareplacedon
hangers,everyoneisgivenhouseslipperstoreplacetheirtravellingshoes,andthewetshootisdriednearthesideofthe
fireplace.
Fornoapparentreason,Icouldonlywatchhermovementsattentively.
Butthen,itisn'tonlyjustIwhoiswatching.
SheisalsounderthewatchfulgazeofLilia.
IfIstoptothinkaboutit:itisalwaysLiliahardatworklikethis,backatthesceneoftheLabyrinthsearch.
Thatgirl,whileeveryoneelsefellintosilence,isunabletodoanything.
Itisararemoment.
"Aisha."
TakingtherightmomentwhentheworkofAishacouldbeputonhold,Liliacallsouttoherdaughter.
"Yes,whatisthematter,Mother?"
"ItseemsthatyouhavebeentakingcarenottotroubleRudeussama,andhavebeenworkinghereproperly."
"Yes."
"EventhoughyouhappentoberelatedtoRudeussamabyblood,donotforgetthatheisthebenefactorofyourlife,aswell.
Fromhereonout,don'tlosefocus,andalwaysaccomplishyourdutyproperlyasthehousehold'smaid."
"Yes.Mother."
Aisha'sreplywasstrong,andLilia'swasprofessional.
Itwasnottheconversationofaparentandchild.
Thinkingfurtheronit,thisisprobablybecausetheyhaven'tmetinsuchalongtime.
Eventhough,Istillthinkitwouldbegoodforthebothofthemtohaveaheartwarmingconversation.
Well,itmightbethatrightnow,Liliamightjustbeactingprudent.
Becausefromthispointon,Ihavetoexplainadifficultthing:
"Nowthateveryoneishere,Iwillbeginthetalk."
ThoughIamfeelingreluctant,Ihavenootherchoicebuttotalk.
163/204
4/2/2016
BecauseofthefactthatPaulisn'theretodoit.
"Umm,brother,Fatherisn'thereyet"
Nornchimesinwhilesoundinginsecure.
Iwonderhowangryshewillbe.
Shebeggedmetohelpdad,andItoldhertoleaveittome.
Andthentohearitfrommethatherfatherhasdied.
Iwonder,willyoublameme?
Ifyouneedtoblame,thenitisfineifyoublameme.
BecauseIcouldn'tfulfillthewishofNorn.
Ilookaroundtoeveryone,andthenIspoke,
"FatherPaulGrayrathaspassedaway."
"Ehh?"
Nornraisesashortvoiceofbewilderment.
Sylphy'sfacetriestoconcealapainfulexpression.
Aisha'seyesopenwide,andsheclenchesherfisttightly.
"Thesearehisheirloomstothefamily."
AsIsayso,Iplaced,onebyone,onthetabletheremainingequipmentthatoncebelongedtoPaul.
Sword,Tantou,Armor,andtheFuneraryUrn.
There,werethefourarticlesofthedearlydeparted.
"W,why!?"
Nornstandsup,anddrawsclosetome.
"Eventhoughyouwentthere!Whyisitthatfatherhadtodie!?"
"I'msorryIjustwasn'tstrongenough."
"But,brother!"
Norn,asitis,keepspressingme,sheisabouttograbmebythelapels.
However,hermomentumseemstostall.
""
Mylostlefthandisreflectedinhereyes.
Betweenmylefthand,theHeirloomsonthetable,andmyface,Norn'sglancecomesandgoes.
Almostinstantly,Norn'seyesbegintogathermanytears.
AlthoughIfeelguilty,Icontinuespeaking,
"Alright,fromhereon,Iwillexplainindetailwhathappened."
164/204
4/2/2016
"*sob*Okay."
Frombehind,AishaplacesahandonNorn'sshoulder.
"Nownow,Nornnee."
"I'mfine,Igetitalready!"
NornshakesoffAisha'shand,andreturnstoherseat.
Aishahasremainedstandingidlyby,butsoonreturnsatoncebehindSylphy.
"Nowthen,whereshouldIbeginexplainingitfromfirst"
Igaveasummaryexplanationforeachoftheeventsthathappened.
TravelingtogetherwithElinalisetoLapan,andthenmeetingPaulthereagain.
RelyingontheinformationaboutthewhereaboutsofZenithcapturingtheTeleportLabyrinthwithPaulandcompany.
HavingasmoothrideupuntiltheendthenhavingahardfightwiththeGuardian.MelosingmyhandandPaullosinghislife.
ThoughwerescuedZenith,shehadbecomeaninvalid.
Onthewayout,Gisuhandledthesupplements,andslowly,oneatatime,gotusabletotalkagain.
Finally,Nornhasheardit.
"Then,it'slikeneitherFathernorMotherweresavedatall?"
"I'mafraidso."
Withthosewords,Inodslowly.
ItseemslikeNorn'shairwouldstandonend.
However,shedidnotexplode.
Whileshebitdownonherlowerlip,shekeepsstaringatmylefthand.
"Didbrotherreallytryhisbest?"
"IbelieveIgaveallthatIhadtoit."
"Then,evenifBrothergaveithisbest,anditstillendedupthisbad,itwouldn'thavematteredwhowent"
Norntriestosaysomethingthatwouldhelpherregainhercomposure.
However,justasquicklytearscomebackintohereyes.
"But,atanyrateFather'sdeath,notservinganyrealpurpose*sob*WaWAAaaaaaaaah"
Shecrumblesthen,andlargetearsbeginspillingoutlikerain,itcouldn'tbestoppedanylonger.
Shecries.
Norncries.
Shecriesloudly.
Itisacrythatpiercesdeeplyintotheheart.
Itisavoicecryingoutforanyonetogivehersomerelieftoherpain.
Norncriesmagnificently.
165/204
4/2/2016
Crying,andcrying.
Cryingwith"waahwaah."
Shecries,atthethingthatalltheothersupuntilnowcouldnotgrieveover.
Wealllistentoit,Norn'sheartbreakingcry.
Ittakesashortwhile.
ButNornfinallystopscrying.
Hereyesareswollenred,andherthroatmakesa*hichic*sound.
Butthen,sheturnstowardsme,andhereyeshold,butasingledeterminationinthem.
"Brother"
"Whatisit?"
"Thatis,Papa'ssword,I*hic*,isitalrightthatIcanhaveit?"
WhatNornwaspointingatisPaul'sbelovedsword.
TheswordPaulalreadyhadatthetimeIwasborn.
Paulhasownedthisswordforaverylongtime.
Andwasalwayscarriedonhisbody.
"Ah.That'sright.Youmusttakecareofit.Howeveryoumustnotgousingitrecklessly."
"?"
"Justbecauseyouhaveasword,youshouldnotmakethemistakeofthinkingthatmerelyhavingitmakesyoustrong."
That,wasitaroundthetimeofmyfifthbirthday?
WhenPaulgaveaswordtome,andsaidthesamething?
"Understood."
AftertellingNornsuchathing,sheholdstheswordinherarmstightlytoherchest.
Ibelievesheisastrongchild.
Inasituationlikethis,itwouldn'tbestrangeifsheshutsherselfawayinaroomandjustcries.
SheproperlyfacedPaul'sdeath.
UnlikeI,whomadethegravemistakeofnotbeingabletoproperlycrawlbackupagainwithouthavingtoreceiveRoxy's
rescuing.
Truly,sheissuchastrongchild.
AsfarastheotherHeirlooms,theywillbedistributedinthefamily.
AishachosetheTantou,andIwasleftwiththeArmor.
Iwillmakeagravelaterfortheurn,withtheintentiontoburyitthere.
Though,bythetimeIfinishthinkingaboutthatintention,Zenithcasuallymovestothetable,andpicksupthearmor.
"Mother?"
""
166/204
4/2/2016
EvenifIcallouttoher,Zenithsaysnothing.
Asusual,shejustcontinuesonasaninvalid.
However,themovementshemakesisasifsheunderstoodwhatkindofscenehadjustunfoldedbeforeher.
Isitacoincidence?
No,thepartofZenith,thatisthenucleusofZenith,maystillbeintactinsideofher.
Atanyrate,eventhoughitbecamesuchastatethatIhadnomementoformyself,I'mfinewithit.
BecausetherearesomanyotherthingsthatonlyIhadreceivedfromPaul.
Part3
"Nowthen,thenextpartisthematterconcerningMother."
IexplaintheconditionofZenithonceagain.
Howtherewasalossofmemory,andhowmostofthestuffthatmakesherZenithisgone.
"Canshebehealed?"
IshakemyheadatthequestionSylphyposes.
"Idon'tknow."
Fornow,myintentionistohaveadoctorofhealingtechniquestakealookatthesituationwithZenith.
AlthoughIhavenotheardofaHealingmagicthatcancurememoryloss,asofyet,
And,evenifIthoughtaboutit,Iwouldn'tevenknowwheretobeginlookingfortheorigin.
Lossofmemoryfrombeingconfinedinamagiccrystal.
Coulditbesomethingabitlikeanoxygendeficiencydisease?[40]
Sinceit'snotsomethingIcoulddescribe,Ialsothinkthatmakesthepossibilityofitbeinghealedlow,aswell.
Inthisworld,ifyousufferdamagetothebrain,thereisnomedicaltechnologytocureyou.
Attheveryleast,it'snotsomethingapplyingAdvancedgradehealingmagiccancure.
Inthecaseofmangas,theusualmethodistohavethemreceiveasuddenshocktobecured,butIwouldratheravoidcomingto
testthatmethodoutwithZenith.
However,willcuringitreallybeablessing?
PauldiedtryingtosaveZenith.
AndZenithmightcometoblameherself.
Andifthat'sthecase,ifhermemorydoesn'treturn,shemightpossiblybehappy.
No,thereshouldn'tbeanyreasoninglikethat.
Thereshouldbeeffortstorecoverhermemories.
"Atanyrate,itisnecessarytofindtreatmentandnursingforMother."
Nursing.
167/204
4/2/2016
Supposingforamomentthatinmyformerlifemyparentsdidnotdie,andinsteadbecameoldandbedridden.
WouldithavebeenarrangedthatIamtheonetoprovidethenursingcare?
"ItismywishtohaveMotherlivetogetherinthishousewithus."
Fromtheoutset,soastonotdisturbmydailylifeLiliahadproposedthataseparateroomberented.
BecausetherewasthegoldearnedfromtheconqueredTeleportLabyrinth,Icouldlivecomfortablyforatleast10moreyearsin
thistown.
However,Ivetoedthatproposal.
Icouldnotallowsuchathingafterall.
Afterallthat,PaulwhodiedwouldneverforgivemeifIdidthat.
"ThoughIwillbeleavingthemajorityofthecaretoLiliasan,everyonehereshouldbeabletohelpwithanyminor
inconveniences."
"Iunderstand.Iwillalsotrymybesttoo."
Sylphyalsoacknowledgedit,andpleasantlyagreestoitaswell.
Nobodyseemstohaveanyobjectiontoit.
Eveniftheydid,Iamnotgoingtoletanobjectionstandintheway.
EvenPaul'slastfeelingonthismatterbeforedyingwasaboutprotectingZenith.
Whatwastherealmeaningbehindthosewords?Evennow,Istillhaven'taclue.
SincePauldied,IhavetobetheonetoprotectZenithnow.
Well,eventhoughIsaynursing,it'snotexactlylikeZenithhasAlzheimer's.
Ratherit'smorelikeshehasbecomeanemptyshell.
AndwithLiliaprovidingconstantsupervision,everythingshouldbefine.
However,forthattoworkthereisacertainnecessaryarrangementthatneedstobetakencareoffirst.
"Umm,thenthatmeans,thatmotherwillalsobelivinghere,aswell?"
Aishaseemstolamentoverthatquestion.
Itisavoiceofsomeoneperplexedoranxious.
"Yes.Aisha.ItseemsforsometimeIwillbeinthecareofRudeussama."
IsLiliasomethinglikeanobstructionforAisha,afterall?
BecauseLiliaisaneducationmindedmother.
TheAishareleasedfromunderLilia,seeminglyspendingeverydayhappilyaway.
But,ifAishastartedtobecomedissatisfiedfromnowon,itmightnotbegood.
Isuppose,ifIsuddenlystartspeakingofsuchthings,ofcourse,Aishacouldn'thelpbecomingperfectlyangrywithme.
"Suchthingslikeallotmentofworkwillhavetobedonewon'tthey?"
"That'ssomethingwecandiscusslater.IintendtodoworkthatmainlycentersaroundcaringforZenith,however,Iwillalsotake
careofanyworkthatmaypileupaswell."
"Understood."
168/204
4/2/2016
Aishadidnotvoicedissatisfaction.
Maybesheisweakwhenitcomestohermother?
Ahardvoiceandagloomyexpression,
SeeingthatappearanceonAisha,theonewhointervenesisNorn.
"Aishanee."
NornplacesherhandonAisha'sshoulderandwhispersaway.
"It'sus,youdon'thavetoholditbackanymore,youknow?"
Aisha,hearingthosewords,tookturnslookingatme,Lilia,andNorn.
Liliaalsowatchesmeagain,aswell.
Ihavenoideawhatisbeingrequestedofme.
However,Inodanyway,forthetimebeing.
Then,AishasuddenlystandsupandthrowsherarmsaroundLilia.
"M,Mom! Youareuninjured,andsafe,thankgoodness!"
Aisha'sfaceisburiedinthestomachofLiliawhileshecries.
"I'mhome,Aisha"
Lilia,withagentlelookingexpressionstrokestheheadofherdaughter.
Isee.
Ofcourse,it'slikethat.
Ofcourse,Aishawouldhaveacomplicatedheartaswell.
Forher,Liliaismother.
Ofcourse,itgoeswithoutsayingtherearethefeelingsthatprayforthepeaceofPaulandZenithaswell.
However,thefeelingthatprayedforthesafetyofLiliashouldofcoursebestrongertoo.
AndLiliahadactuallymanagedtocomebacksafely.
Ofcourse,it'sasituationwhereoneshouldn'tremainobedientlycomposed.
Pleaseforgivethisguywhoeverdoubtedsuchathing.
Part4
Afterwards,wespokeofminordetails,andconcludethereturnreport.
Thereisthenthefinancialallocation,atthebehestofGisu.
Anenormousfortuneextendstoallhandsinvolved.
However,eventhiswasnotenoughtocheerthefacesofeveryoneup.
"Nowthen,thatis,weshouldprobablybesoundingoutahoteltostayatfornow."
169/204
4/2/2016
Atthesametimethereporthadended,Gisustandsup.
Everyoneelsealsoseemstoreelintoit,Vera,Shera,andTalhandallstoodup.
Itrytodetaintheminahurry.
"Justfortoday,wouldn'titbefineifeveryonestayed?"
"Eh,Senpai?There'sthingsyouneedtodothatoutsiderswouldmaketroublesome,plusI'mabitinsensitivewhenitcomesto
thesekindsofthings..."
WiththewordsGisuofferedasthenaturalcourseofaction,thethreeofthemeachgrabtheirluggage,
Theyputontheshoesandjacketsthathadnotfinisheddryingaswell.
""
Afterall,Iatleastdeterminedtoseethemofffromtheentranceway.
TothefourpeoplewhoItriedtodetainwhentheytriedtomaketheirexit,Icallouttothem,
"Everyone.Foralongtime,myfatherhasreceivedyourassistance,Iamtrulythankfulforallyouhavedoneforhim."
IbowedespeciallydeeplytowardsVeraandShera.
ThosetwohadbeenhelpingPaulsincetheywereinMilishion.
Though,Ididnothavetoomanyconversationswiththem,theyhadplayedanimportantsupportrolewhenitcametothe
TeleportLabyrinth.
Thedistinguishedshadows.[41]
"It'snothing.Rather,wearesorry,thatweweren'tabletobeofmoreuse."
"WhenyoufindtheplaceforCaptainPaul'sgrave,pleasetellmelateron."
Theanswerfromthosetwowasshort.
Forthosegirls,IwonderwhatkindofapersonwasPaultothem.
Evenafterthesearchgroupwasdisbanded,theyfollowedhimtoBegaritto.
Maybeitwassomekindofspecialrelationship.
However,eveniftherewassomethingaboutPaulthatendearedhimtothem,thatdoesn'tapplytome.
"Fromhereonout,whatareyourplans?"
"Whenwinterends,we'llreturntoAsuraKingdom.Therearepeoplefromthesearchgroupwhohelpedusoutbackthen,we
needtopayback."
"Isthatso,wellthentakecareofyourselves!"
"Right,Rudeussanalso,evenifthingsseemdifficultfromnowon,takecareofyourself."
Tothem,oncemore,Ibowmyheaddeeply,whiletheydisappearintothesnow.
Thesearchgroup.
Now,Iremember,thestoryofZenith'sfamilyassistingPaul'sactivitieswithabitoffinancialsupport.
ThatZenithissafecannotbesaid,however,Ishouldprobablyreportonhowthingshavebecome.
But,evenifIsendsomanyletters,Ihavenoideawhenoriftheywillproperlyreachherfamily.
170/204
4/2/2016
WhileIthinkthis,Gisutapsmyshoulder.
"Seeyouthen,Senpai."
"Gisusan,Talhandsan."
"Whatisit?Ah,herecomesthatannoyingface."
"Youtwo,whatareyourplansfromhereonout?"
WhenIsaidit,Gisuscratcheshisheadforabit.
"WeintendtoheadtoAsuraaswell.WehaveBegarittomoney,andthemoneyfromthemagicitemsthatwewanttoexchange."
"Doyouplantoexchangeitall?"
"Prettymuch,thoughIhaveafewplanstousesomeofitonmyself."
Ialsohavesomemagicitemsremainingonhand.
ThoughIwanttodosomeinquiriesontheeffectstheseitemshappentohave.
OneofthemisadaggerthatissuchamatchIcouldsubstituteitforPaul'sTantou.
Thoughforthetimebeing,unlessIfindagooduseforit,Iplantoputitintothebasement'sstorehouse.
IfIhappenuponatimewhenIneedtosellitformoney,itwillbefinetosellitoffthen.
Evensomeoftheitemswiththemoreridiculouseffects,canbeexchangedforalargefortune.
However,thestonethatabsorbsmagic,thatisadifferentmatter.
Ifpossible,IwanttostudyitindetailwhenIhavethetime.
SothatshouldIfightagainstasimilaropponent,Icantryanddiscoveramethodonhowtodealwithit,insteadoffindingmyself
onceagainunabletodoanything.
Though,it'spossiblethatImightnotlearnanythingatallfromitit'sbetterthatItry,thandonothingatall.
"IfSenpaiwants,IcantakesomeofyouritemstoAsura? IfIsellthemthere,Icanfetchamuchhigherprofit,ifthatsuits
you?"
InAsuraKingdom,thepricesofitemsarehigh,andthemoneyofAsuraKingdomcanprettymuchbespentanywhereonCentral
Continent.
Ifyouwanttosellanitem,doingsoinAsuraisthebestidea.
"So,isityourplanthenonthewaybacktorunawayaftersquanderingallthatmoneyongambling?"
"Oh,wai,no,what?DoyoureallythinkI'dtakeSenpai'smoneyandrun?"
Gisutriestodeflect,buthiseyesareswimmingaroundsuspiciously.
Ifhetookanitemfromme,hemightreallyhaveintendedtousetheproceedstogogambling.
Well,it'sfine,evenifthat'showheis,IamindebtedtoGisu.
Afterall,withoutthisguy,therewasnowaywewouldhavebeenabletotraversetheTeleportLabyrinth.
"I'mkidding."
"Well,Ilivethelifeofagamblerafterall,huh?"
Gisusaidso,raisedthesidesofhismouth,andlaughsinanihilisticway.
171/204
4/2/2016
"Then,afterthat?"
"Returntoadventuring.Besides,thereisstillsomuchmorewewanttodo."
"Isee."
"Well,I'llbearoundhereuntilwinterisover,wastingawaymyfreetimedrinkingsake.Youhaven'tforgottenyourpromise,to
introducemetoanicefemalemonkey,now,haveyou? MySenpaiinmarriageandchildrenwouldcertainlyholdssomeeasy
accesstosomefinemerchandiselikethat,right? Hehhehheh."
Yeah,certainlyGisuisn'tplanningonleaving,justyet.
However,onethingIknowaboutthismannamedGisu,isthatwhenitistimeforhimtoleave,hewon'tgivehisregards.
He'sthekindofguywhojusthastoupanddisappear.
So,Imustfinishgivinggratitudeproperlynow,beforethechanceescapesme.
"Gisusan"
"Senpai.Yourtone'sbeenstrangeforawhilenowy'know?Howaboutyoujustsay,[Oi,newbie]likeyouusuallydo?"
"Whydoyouseemtobefixedonthatwholenewbiething?"
WhenIsaidthat,Gisulaughedhard.
"It'saJinx!"
Jinx.
Thatword,givensoinadequatelyasareason,mademyheartfallwithathump.
Well,becausehesaysit'sthejinx,itcan'tbehelped.
"Atanyrate,tothebothofyou,foreverythingyouhavehelpedwithupuntilnow,Ithankyouverymuch."
"It'sfinelikethis.Then,stayhealthy,Senpai."
WhenIbowdeeply,Gisubeginstowalk,wavinghishandashedoes.
"Hmm,youknow,there'snowaytothankyourfriendsproperly.Paulwasn'toneforsayingit.Youdon'tneedtoexpressyour
gratitudelikethatwithus...isall."
TalhandsaidthatwhileshakinghisheavybodytryingtowalkalongsideGisu.
Iwatchthebacksofthosetwountiltheydisappearfrommyview.
"Allmenwanttohavetimeswhentheycanactcool,don'tthey?"
SuddenlywhenInoticed,Elinalisehadappearednexttome.
WhileIwaspayingmypartingrespects,itseemsSylphyhadsomekindofconversationwithher.
Iwonderwhatitwasabout?
Ifitwasaboutacertaintopic,IhadtoldherbeforethatIalreadyintendedtotalkabouteverythingproperlywithSylphy.
BecauseofElinalise'smeddlingwiththatsituation,shemighthavebeenlayingthegroundworkforitjustnow.
Honestly,eventhoughI'mgratefulforherconcerns,Iamfeelingabitreluctant.
"Wellthen,IamheadingovertoCliff'splace.I'mwaypastmylimitalready."
Elinalisesaidsomethingsuggestive,andpatsherabdominalregion.
172/204
4/2/2016
ItseemsI'vegivenherafairshareofhardshipsaswell.
Withthegoingandcomingback,shehadrelationswithaboutthreepeoplethatIamatleastawareof.
Theusualthingasalways,thoughshelaughsitoffandsaysnottomindit,itwasnotsomethingIcouldlaughaway.
"EvenyouElinalisesan,I'mdeeplygratefulforallyourkindnesstowardsme."
ElinalisegavemeabitterlookwhenIsaidthat.
"AsforwhathappenedtoPaul,pleaseforgivemeforthataswell."
"No,thatbelongstome."
Mymistake,mycarelessness.
EventhoughIthoughtIsaidasmuch,Elinalisecontinuesspeaking.
"Butmyroleinthatparty,wastokeepmovingaboutsosomethinglikethatdidn'thappen.Itwasbecauseofmymistakesthat
Pauldied."
Therewasnowayshecouldhavedonesuchathing.
Everyoneofusinthatplacefoughtdesperately.
EvadingtheHydra'strumpcards,oneafteranother,inwhatwasarelativelylittledistance,thentheHydrasuddenlybehavingin
suchadesperateway,withnokindofplanning.
AtleastElinalisewasn'ttheonlyoneblamingherselfoverbeingthecauseofPaul'sdeath.
"Iwillneverblameyou!Noranyoneelse!"
"Finethen,butyoucan'tgoblamingyourselfeitherthen."
"Iwon't."
"Then,I'moff!"
Elinalisesaysthat,andpromptlyrunsoffintothesnow.
Herownreturnreportwillstartafterthis.
"Whew."
Iheavealongsigh.
Mywhitebreathfadesawayintothesnow.
Nowthen.
Nowthen,withthematteroftheTeleportIncident,itseemsIhavefinallycometothelongendofitall.
AllthefamilyIhadlost,Ihadfoundagain.
Intheworld,whiletheremaybeotherswhohavenotyetbeenfound,Inolongerfeelanyobligationtolookforthemanymore.
Itwasconcluded.
Itwaslong,andpainful.
Andthefinalresultleftabittertaste.
However,itisthenextdevelopmentsfromhere,
Insteadoflookingbehindmeitisnowtimeformetobefacingforward.
173/204
4/2/2016
TherearethingsinthisworldthatIwanttodothatIhavestillnotdoneafterall.
Imusthaveapointtofixmyeyeson.
"Rudi.Haseverybodyalreadyreturned?"
Ilookaround,andseeRoxystandingbehindme.
"Iwantedtotalkwiththemalittle,too"
"Theyarestillinthistown,it'llbeeasytomeetwiththemwhenyouhavesomefreetime."
"That'strue."
Roxydoesn'tbeginwalkingawayinthesnow.
Shealonewillbestayinginthishouse.
Thoughitisdependentontheupcomingdiscussionastowhethershebecomesaresidentofanearbyhotel,orthishouse.
"Wellthen,Roxy."
"Yeah,Rudeus."
"Shallwegoinside?"
Ireturnintothehouse.
AccompanyingmeisRoxy,smallinstature.
WebChapter131Hell[42]
Part1
Fivepeopleremainedintheroom.TheywereSylphy,Norn,Aisha,RoxyandI.Also,Jirou,thearmadillo,washappilysleeping
infrontofthefireplace,butitshouldbefineifIdon'tcounthim.
LiliaandZenithareinthebath.Beforetheywentin,Liliaaskedme[Willyoubeokay?]towhichInodded.Iwanttoendthis
discussionwithoutLilia'shelp.
Nornhasntreturnedtoherroomandstayshere,withus.Butasexpected,itwastoughonherassheisstillsniffling.Sinceshe
wasattachedtoPaul,itshouldbetougheronherthanotherpeople.
"Nowthen,there'sonelasttopic."
WhenIsaythis,thethreeofthemstraightenupintheirchairs.
IexchangelookswithRoxy.Withoutsayinganything,Roxymovestomyside.
"..."
SeeingSylphy'sswollenbelly,Ihesitateaboutthenexttopic.However,Ihavearesponsibility.Oneday,Roxywillbecomelike
thistoo.IfforinstanceSylphysaysno,thenRoxymighthavetodeliverachildbyherself.That'swhatthetwoofushaveagreed
onfornow.Ofcourse,Iplanongivinghermoneyandsupportthough.
"IwasthinkingofacceptingRoxyhere,asmysecondwife."
"...Eh?"
Theonewhoraisesabewilderedvoiceisn'tSylphy,butNorn.Standingup,hergazealternatesbetweenRoxyandI.Asfor
Sylphy,sheisstaringblankly.
174/204
4/2/2016
"W,whatisthis!?"
"Iplanonexplainingfromstarttofinish."
IexplainwhathappenedontheBegarittocontinent.
AbouthowPauldiedandhowdepressedIwas.
Abouthow,seeingthis,Roxysavedme.
AbouthowitseemedthatIwasinlovewithRoxy.
AbouthowIrespectedher,andwantedhertobecomeamemberofourfamily.
"ThoughIhadnointentionofbetrayingSylphy,intheend,Ibrokemypromise.I'msorry."
Ikneeleddown.Thoughtherewasacarpetspreadacrossthefloor,northernwintersarecold,sothefloorwascold.Ipressedmy
headdeeplyagainstthefloor.
"Eh,wai,Rudi!?"
IcouldhearSylphy'sflusteredvoice.
"Istillloveyou,Sylphy.But,ImighthavegottenRoxypregnant.Ihavetotakeresponsibility."
"Ah,okay."
ThemorewordsIpileup,thecheapertheysoundtome.However,they'remytruethoughts.
WhenIlookatSylphy,Ifindthatshehasatroubledface.Hermindmightbeinchaos.It'sunderstandable.Apersonsaidthat
theylovedyou,andthattheywouldcomebackwithoutfail.Whentheydocomeback,theyareintatters.They'velosttheir
familyandtheirlefthand.Butbecauseofthefactthatatleasttheirlifeisintact,youarethinkingthatitissomethingtobehappy
aboutwhensuddenlytheysaysomethingaboutmakingsomeotherwomantheirwife.
Wereitme,I'dshout,andshout,andcondemnthem.
But,I'llspeak.Evenifit'sunreasonable,I'llspeakwordstoforcemywaythrough.
"Sylphy.Pleaseforgiveme,andallowit."
"There'snowayyoucouldbeforgiven,right!?"
ItwasNorn.Theonewhoshoutedwasn'tSylphy,butNorn.Shepowersovertomeandgrabsmycollar.
"AreyougoingtosayyouknowwhatkindoffeelingsSylphyneehadwhenshewaswaitingforyou,Niisan!?"
"..."
"Everyday,[IwonderifRudiisokay],[IwanttoseeRudi],[IwonderifRudi'seatendinneryet]she'dsay.Doyouknowhow
lonelySylphynee'svoiceandexpressionswere!?"
Idon't.ThoughIdon't,Icanimagineit.Sylphy'sfaceasshewaitedforme.Sylphy'slonelyvoice.Sylphy'sformassheidledon
achair,swingingherlegsabout.
"Ithoughtthatitcouldn'tbehelpedifOtousancouldn'tbesaved!Sinceitwasthatdifficultafightandyou'devenlostyour
hand,Ithoughtitcouldn'tbehelped!That'swhyIthoughtit'dbebarkingupthewrongtreeifIblamedyou,Niisan,butyou
actuallyhadtheleisuretosleepwithanotherwomanandmakeheryours!?"
"That'snotit.Ididn'thavethatsortofleisure.It'sbecausethingswerelikethat,thatRoxyignoredherownfeelingsandhelped
me."
"WereSylphyneethere,she'ddefinitelyhavehelpedyou!"
That'sprobablyabsolutelytrue.Sylphyhashelpedme.TheonewhocuredmyEDwasSylphy.
175/204
4/2/2016
However,Roxyhasalsohelpedme.Shelikedme,anddespiteherknowingthatIhadsomeoneIloved,shewaspreparedto
throwawayherownfeelingstohelpme.
"Norn,evenyoushouldunderstand,right?Thefeelingsyouhavewhenyoulockyourselfinyourroom,whenyouhavenoway
out,whenyoufeelthatyoucan'tdoanything.Howcouldyouignorethepersonwhosavedyoufromthat?"
"Iunderstand!I'mthankfultoyou,Niisan!But,thisandthataredifferentmatters!Ifyoutaketwowives,Milissamawon't
forgiveyou!"
Aah.Isee.NornwasanadherentofMilis,huh?No,itprobablydoesn'thavetodowithherfaith,huh.I'vedonesomething
wrong.Itrytoignorereason,andforcemywaythrough.
"Inthefirstplace,whyasmallkidlikethis!?Isn'tsheaboutthesameageasme!?"
NornglaresatRoxy.Expressionlessasusual,RoxylooksatNorn.Roxyisalittletaller,butthedifferenceinheightprobably
isn'teven10centimeters.ReceivingNorn'sgazewithoutexpression,Roxysimplysays,
"...Imightbesmall,butI'mstillanadult."
Idon'tknowwhattosay.YoucouldalmostseeintoRoxy'sheartbylisteningtothattremblingvoice.
Butdependingonhowyoutookit,thosewordscouldprobablybeinterpretedasimpudence.Nornisenraged.
"Ifyou'reanadult,thenshouldn'tyouknowsomeshame!?"
"..."
"Don'tyouthinkanythingofbuttingintoourfamilylikethis!?"
"Norn,you'vesaidtoomuch.TheonewhoproposedmakinghermysecondwifewasI.Roxyhasn'tdoneanythingwrong.Roxy
hadwantedtobackaway."
IrefutedNorninastrongtone.However,NorncontinuestocondemnRoxywithoutlookingatme.
"Pleasebequiet,Niisan!Inthefirstplace,ifshewasgoingtobackaway,whydidn'tshesticktoit?Intheend,shejusttook
advantageofyourwords,Niisan!"
IhaveathoughttohitNorn.However,itgoeswithoutsayingthatI'mnotqualifiedtodosuchathing.IfIhitNornhere,I'll
probablybecomeworthlessinthetruemeaningoftheword.
"..."
AtNorn'sshout,Roxystaysquietforawhile.Withherusualexpressionlessface,she'shangingherheadandlookingatthefloor.
Intheend,shefinallyraisesherheadandbowstoNorn.
"You'reright.I'mbeingshameless.I'msorry."
Sayingthis,Roxygetsupandslowlymoves.Pickinguptheluggagesheleftinthecorneroftheroomandputtingonherhat,she
quicklyleaves.Ican'tstopher.Iunderstandwhythey'reopposed.Ididn'tthinkthattheywouldhumormeandeasilyacceptit.
Butevenso,IthoughtthatI'dbeabletopersuadethemsomehow.
ButIwasnaive.Iconsiderthecurrentsituation.Roxywasrelentlesslyattackedwithwords.Sheprobablyfeelslikeshe'sona
bedofnails.
Herlifemightcontinuetobethiswayfromnowon.Thinkingaboutit,shedidn'twanttostayhere.
Wereitme,I'drunawayfromsomewherelikethis.
Ican'tstopher.
Ican'tholdherback.
ButIcan'tletRoxyleaveherewithillfeelings.
176/204
4/2/2016
Idon'twantthat.
Ihavetopayherback.
Ididn'tbringherheretomakeherfeelthisway.
IbroughtherherebecauseIwantedhertobehappy.
Orcoulditbesomethingelse?
No,think.
WhatshouldIdo?
WhatshouldIdotomakeNornacceptit?
Ican'tthinkofanything.
Roxyisleaving.
Ihavetostopheratleast.
Right,evenifIhitNornandshehatesme
"Wait!"
Ihearavoicebehindme.
"Roxysan,pleasewait!"
ItisSylphy.Shehasstoodup,trotsovertoRoxy,andgrabsherhand.Roxyturnsaround,andlargetearsaregatheredinhereyes.
"Whyareyoustoppingher,Sylphynee!Isn'titfinejusttolethergo!?"
"Nornchan.Couldyoubequietforalittlebit?"
"Eh?"
"Justnowyousaidtoomuch,youknow.Fromthebeginning,Ineversaidawordaboutrefusing,afterall."
AtSylphy'swords,Nornbecomesspeechlessandfreezes.
"Pleasesitdown."
PayingabackwardglancetothefrozenNorn,SylphysitsRoxydownonthesofa.Roxydoesn'tresistanddidassheistold.
Sylphytoo,takesaseatnexttoRoxy.
"Thoughthingshavegottenalittlechaotic...YousavedRudi,right,Roxysan?"
Askedthat,Roxymeeklynods.
"...Yes.ButIhadulteriormotives,soIdon'tplanonusingitasanexcuse."
"Mn.Rudiiscool,isn'the?Onthecontrary,hadyousaidthatyoudidn'thaveulteriormotives,Iwouldn'thavebelievedyou."
"..."
"WereIinyourshoes,Roxysan,IthinkIreallywould'vedonethesamething."
Sylphymakesagentleexpression,smilingatRoxy.Roxy'sfaceisstiff.Whilstsmiling,Sylphycontinues.
"...Youknow,honestlyspeaking,Ithoughtthatitwasjustamatteroftime."
177/204
4/2/2016
"Umm,sorry,whatwas?"
"Rudibringingbackanotherwoman."
Me,bringingbackanotherwomanwasjustamatteroftime...
...Mn?
...Huh?
Coulditbe,thattheydidn'tbelieveinme?
"Imean,look,Rudiisperverted,right?That'swhyIthoughtthatoncehecouldn'tdoitwithmehe'ddefinitelydoitwith
someoneelse.ItwaslikethatformetoosinceRudiissincere,afterdoingithe'dprobablytrytotaketheminashiswife.Ididn't
thinkI'dbeabletomonopolizeRudiforever,youknow."
Iwanttospeakup.But,itreallyisasshesaid.I'mnotqualifiedtosayanything.
"Though,honestlyspeaking,Ithoughtthatwhenhedidbringsomeoneback,it'dbesomeonelikeRinia,orPursena,ormaybe
Nanahoshisan."
"BesidesthenameNanahoshisan,Ihaven'theardtheothernames."
"They'reRudi'sfriendsfromschool.Allofthemaresexywithbigchests."
Nanahoshiisn'tparticularlysexy,though.No,thatkindofthingisn'timportantrightnow.
"Honestly,becausethestoryofyourjourneywassoharsh,andPaulsandiedaswell,soIwasalittlebewildered,but...I
understood."
"Aboutwhat?"
"BecauseyouhadalwaysbeenlookingatRudianxiouslysincecomingtoourhouse,Iwaswonderingwhatwaswrong.Atfirst,I
thoughtitwasbecauseyouwerenervousabouttellingusaboutPaulsan'sdeath,but...itwasactually'that'afterall."
"..."
"Roxysan,youreyesarethoseofamaideninlove,afterall."
Amaideninlove.Beingtoldthat,Roxy'sfaceisdyedbrightred.
"Excuseme.I'veshownyousomethingunpleasant..."
Herfacestillred,Roxybowsherhead.Fromtheperspectiveofawife,awomanlookingatherhusbandlovinglywouldprobably
beaneyesore.Thatlineofthinkingissomethingyoucanvividlyunderstand.However,Sylphyshakesherhead.
"Itwasn'tunpleasant,youknow."
"...However."
"IwonderhowIshouldsayit..."
Sylphytiltsherheadinthoughtforalittle,andthenquicklygoes,'Mn,'andnods.
"Youknow,I'veheardaboutyoufromRudibefore,Roxysan."
"Whatabout?"
"Justthat'Roxy'wasamagicianthatherespected.BeforetheTeleportincident,andthenafterwegotmarriedaswell,hesaidthe
samething."
"...That'sum,I'mhumbled."
"That'swhyIwasalittlejealousaswell.WheneverRudispokeaboutyou,helookedlikehereally~longedforyou."
"..."
178/204
4/2/2016
"IonesidedlythoughtofRoxyMigurdiaasanamazingenoughmagicianthatsomeonelikemewouldneverbeabletocompare
withher."
"..."
"ButwhenIactuallysawyou,whenIthoughtofyouasjustanormalgirlwhowasinlovewithRudeus,myjealousyvanished."
Sayingthat,SylphytakesoffRoxy'shatandstrokesherhead.LookingupatSylphy,Roxydoesn'tresist,andletsherselfbepat.
Sylphythenspeaks.
"ThoughNornchansaidwhatshedid,I'llwelcomeyou."
Roxy'sfacewasinshock.Myjawdropsinshockaswell.NoteveninmydreamsdidIthinkSylphywouldsoeasilyacceptit.
"Sylphiette...san."
"Just'Sylphy'isfine.Let'sgetalong.Umm,Roxy...chan?"
"Um,Itechnicallyturn50thisyear,soaddingchanis..."
"Ah,sothat'showitis.You'remyelder...Sorry.Cometothinkofit,that'sright.I'dheardaboutthisfromRudi,butactually
seeingit,youknow...?"
"I'msmall,afterall."
"I'mnotbigeither,youknow?"
RoxyandSylphy'sgazesmeet,andthetwoofthemlaugh.
"Let'ssupportRuditogether,Roxy."
"Thankyouverymuch,Sylphy."
Sayingthis,thetwoshakehands.Itisahandshakefilledwithanoddsenseofsolidarity.
Seeingthis,Iletoutasighofrelief.Itseemsthingswillbefine.Iunconsciouslyletmyfeelingsshow.However,seeingme,
Norn'seyebrowsknittogetherinafrown.
"IfSylphyneesaysso,thenIdon'thaveanythinglefttosayeither."
ItseemsthatNornstillcan'tacceptit.Hermouthupturnedina,she'sglaringatuswithanunhappyexpression.Wemightbe
scornedbyheragain.However,Sylphysoftlypacifiesher.
"Nornchan.Rudiisn'tafollowerofMilis,sopleaseforgivehim."
"But..."
"EvenPaulsanhadtwowives,youknow?"
"...Thatwascertainlythecase,but..."
"Nornchan.WillyousaythistoLiliasan,aswell?"
Nornlookslikeshegasped,andlooksatAisha,whowassittingbyherside.Aishahasbeensittingtheresilentlythewholetime,
withaprimandproperexpression.
"Ah...Sorry,Aisha."
"It'sfine,it'sfine.IknowthatNornneeoftensaysthingswithoutthinking."
"...What'swiththatwayofspeaking!?"
"Imean,look.Evenjustnow,yousaidsomethinglikethat,right?DespitewhatSylphyneesaid,youjustforcedyourown
thoughtsonus,didn'tyou,Nornnee?"
179/204
4/2/2016
"Wha!"
Nornviolentlystandsup.Seeingherclenchedfists,IscoldAisha.
"Aisha,you'vesaidtoomuch."
"ButOniichan."
"IcanunderstandwhatNornwantstosay.Honestly,despitewhatSylphysaid,it'sanabnormalsituation.Ifit'snotconsiderateof
others'feelings,I'mguiltyofthattoo.Youmustn'tcriticiseNorn."
"Well,ifyou'regoingtosaythatmuch,Oniichan..."
"..."
Nornismakingacomplicatedexpression.Likeshedidn'tknowwhattodo,atall.Itwasthatkindofexpression.
"...I'mgoingtosleep."
Shequicklymakestoleavethelivingroom.However,asthoughshesuddenlyrememberssomething,shestopsherfeetandturns
tome.Shehalfmutters.
"Um,Oniisan..."
"Whatisit?"
"Nexttime,couldyouteachmethesword?"
Foramoment,Ididn'tunderstandwhatsheissaying.
Thesword.DoesshemeanthatshewantstousePaul'ssword?
Igetthefeelingthatifshelearnshalfassedselfdefenseonthecontrary,she'llonlyendupruiningherbody.Butthisisthatkind
ofworld.It'dprobablybebettertoknowswordsmanship.Evenifitwereonlyasmallstrength,it'dbebetterthannothing,after
all.TheproblemwouldbewhetherI'dbeofuseasateacher.
"Areyoufinewithme?"
"ThoughIstillcan'treallyacceptwhatyou'vedone,Idon'thateyou,Oniisan."
"...Yeah."
WhatIhadmeantwas[Areyoufinewithsomeonewhojusthalfassedthesword],but....Well,ifI'mtoldthatshedoesn'thate
me,thenI'mnotgoingtorefuse.
"Alright.I'llmakeroomafterschoolorsometime."
"Pleasedo."
Sayingthis,Nornreturnstoherroom.
"..."
Atanyrate,Iguesstheresultwasallright,huh?Intheend,Icouldn'tdoathing,huh.IwassavedbySylphy'smagnanimity.
"Youknow,Oniichan,"startsAisha,"Rightnowyoulookincrediblypathetic,youknow?"
Withoutreplying,Iagree.
Part2
Afterthat,thethreeofusareplanninganddiscussingwhatwewoulddofromnowon.
180/204
4/2/2016
Theturnswe'lltakesleepingtogether,forexample,ortimeswhenwecouldfawnoneachother.Itmighthavebeenbecausewe
werefranklyspeakingaboutthingslikethattoo,butAishadecidestotakeherexit.
"Wellthen,Roxysan.Fromtomorrowonwards,pleasetakecareofme."
"Yes.Pleaselookaftermeaswell."
Despitegrumbling,Aishalooksalittlehappy.Iwonderwhy.[43]
Well,whatever.It'sSylphy,Roxy,andIaswell.Thethreeofusnowstartourdiscussion.Youmightbewonderingwhatthehell
we'retalkingaboutwhenPaul'sdied.However,it'sexactlybecauseofthat,thatwewantacheerfultopic.
"Basically,pleasehaveRuditreatSylphyasthemainwife,andjustsparemesometimewheneveryou'refree.I'mfinewithit
likethat."
"That'snogood.Wehavetobetreatedequally."
"However..."
"Thenumberofwivesmightstillincrease,sowhydon'twebeconfident?"
Mightstillincrease.YoucanfeelSylphy'slackoftrustinmynetherregionswiththosewords.
However,thistimeIswearonit.IswearonlytoloveSylphyandRoxy.Thistime,definitely.
"Honestly,Ifeelreallysorryaboutintrudinglikethis,soI'llbeholdingbackuntilthechildisborn."
"Isee...Wedidsaythatit'donlybeamonthuntilit'sborn,butI'llbemonopolizingRudiuntilthen.Isthatokay?"
"I'mfinewithit.Wellthen,let'smakeitsothatIwon'tofficiallybecomehiswifeuntilamonthfromnow."
"..."
Despitethissituation,Iendedupthinkingsomethinglike'it'sashameI'llbecelibatethismonth'I'mprobablyaworthless
person,huh.ButwhenIthinkthatafterthismonthwhenSylphygivesbirth,I'llgettosleepwiththetwoofthemasmuchasI
want...Justwhatisthis?My'son'[44]startstostandup.
"..."
"..."
Or,soIwasthinking,butthemomentIgiveintomydelusions,thetwoofthemturntheirgazestome.
"Umm,Rudi.Whenyoureallycan'tbearwithitanymore,sayso,okay?I'lldealwithitsomehow."
"No,I'lltakecareofitonmyown,somehow."
NomatterhowbadImaybe,inthiskindofsituationI'mnotgoingtocheatevenmore.I'llhavethemfeelthattheoneknownas
RudeusGreyratwon'tmakemistakesduetohissexualstirrings.ThereasonIwentalongwithRoxywasbecause,inadditionto
thesituationbeingwhatitwas,itwasRoxy.Regardingfallinginlovewiththem,aslongasnomoreRoxyClasswomenappear,
therewon'tbeaproblem.
Idefinitelywon'tcheatanymore.
Definitely,definitelynot.
"Ah,butweren'tyoupregnantaswell,Roxy?Inthatcase,afteramonthyouwon'tbeabletodoitanymore,right?Whatshould
wedo?"
AtSylphy'swords,Roxymadeanapologeticface.
"Um,ifit'saboutwhatRudisaidearlier,IthinkitwasalieRudicameupwith.Therewasn'tachanceformetosayanything,but
I'mnotpregnant."
"...Eh?"
181/204
4/2/2016
She'snotpregnant.Then,sayingthat'it'didn'tcome...
"...Ahh."
Elinaliseledmealong,huh?
Thatbitch.
Shit.
ItfeelslikeI'vebeendancinginthepalmofherhand.
"What'swrong,Rudi?"
"Ah,thatwasn'talieIjustmisunderstood."
"Isee."
Roxyscratchesherredcheeksandspeakstome.
"Butinthefuture,let'stryourbest."
"Ah,yes.Let's."
Wordslike'happyfamilyplanning'cometomindandIcan'thelpbutgrin.Ahh,it'llbegreatfromnowon.
"Rudi'sapervert,isn'the?"
"Yeah.Rudi'sapervert,Sylphy."
"IwonderwhatkindofthingsthepervertedRudiisgoingtomakeusdo."
Whilewehadsuchaconversation,welaughed.
Likethat,Imanagedtogainmysecondwife.
Part3
Afterthat,LiliaandZenithhadfinishedtheirbath,andafterLiliapreparedourroomsforus,theywenttosleep.
Aswedecidedearlier,IsleeptogetherwithSylphy.IletSylphyusemyarmasapillow,andSylphydecidestogotosleepfacing
me.
Weweren'tasleepyet.Ourgazesmet,andwestareinsilence.
"It'saboutwhatwespokeaboutearlier,but..."
TheonewhospeaksfirstwasSylphy.
"Whenyousaidthatyouhadsomethingimportanttosay,andRoxywassittingnexttoyou,Iendedupimaginingsomething
reallysad."
"What?"
"Ithoughtthatyoumightsaythatyoudidn'tloveme,soyouweregoingtoleaveme."
"Iwouldn'tsaysomethinglikethat."
Whatkindoftrashwould?
"Mn.Iknow."
182/204
4/2/2016
Sylphyshiftedabout.Icouldfeelherwiththetipofmymissingwrist.Shewasstrokingme.
"ButIreallyamanxiousafterall.Itfeelslikeyou'regoingtoleavemyside."
Iwonderifshe'sfeelingasenseofforeboding.Butthinkingaboutit,Ireallywasindangerthistime.Imighthaveevendied.
"DidImakeyouanxious?"
"Mn."
"There,there."
IstrokeSylphy'sheadwithmyrightarm.Sylphynarrowshereyesandletsmepather.Ifyoulookmorecarefully,she'sactually
grownoutherhairatsomepoint.Herbeautiful,whitehair.Shemightbeabletotieitupinaponytail,soon.
"Youletyourhairgrow,huh."
"Afterall,yousaidyoulikedlonghair,right,Rudi?"
"Mn."
She'ssocute...Eventhoughshehasbeenwaitingforme,allthistime,ontheotherhand,I...
"Sorry,Sylphy.I'vebetrayedyou."
"It'sokay.Ilikethatpartofyou."
"Butwereittheotherwayaround,I'msureI'dcryandscreamdisgracefully,shoutingabusesatyoulike[Youmustfeelgreat,
betrayingme,huh!]youknow?"
"Mmhuhu...Iwon'tdosomethinglikethat.Idon'tseeanyonebutyou,afterall."
Sayingthat,Sylphybringsherfacetomineandkissesmeonthecheek.Loveoverflowsfromwithinmychest.Thoughshewas
probablyanxious,thoughsheprobablywantedtocryout,shedidn'tvoiceasinglecomplaint,andacceptedit.I'llloveheruntilI
die.
"Sylphy."
"Ehehe."
IreturnSylphy'skissonhersoftandsquishycheek.
"..."
Atthispoint,I'dusuallychargeintotheactualthing,buttodayI'llstophere.There'snowayI'dforcethepregnantSylphytodo
anythingunreasonableafterall.
Suddenly,Ifeltastrokingsensationatmyabdomen.
"Ahh,don't,Sylphy.Ifyoutouchmethere,Iwon'tbeabletoholdback.Well,Idohaveinterestinpregnancyplay,but..."
"Ah,don't,Rudi.It'llharmourchild,so...
"Mn?"
"Eh?"
WhenIlookdown,IfindthatnexttoSylphy'spregnantbellyisanevenbiggermountain.Itrypullingbacktheblanket.WhenI
did,therewas...
"Jirou..."
183/204
4/2/2016
Fromunderthebed,thehugearmadillohasstuckhisheadrightbetweenSylphyandI.Iwonderwhenhedidso.Ireallydidn't
noticeatall.
"Stickinghisheadintopeople'scrotches.Whatapervertedguy,huh?"
"He'slikeyou,huh?"
"No,I...Itcan'tbehelped.Shallwesleeptogether,tonight?"
"Mn.Let's."
Igetupandgrabanotherblanket,andmakeabedforJirou.Jirousprawlshimselfontopofitandslowlyshutshiseyes.Though
helookslikeanarmadillo,hefeelslikealargedog.
ItseemsI'llhavetoprepareasmallroomforhimbeforelong,huh.Raisinghiminthehouseisfine,buttakingcareofhisfeces
istroublesome,afterall.Wait,IwonderifIcantrainhimlikeadog,aswell.Well,IguessI'llhaveanothertalkwithourfamily.
"Alright.Guessit'stimetosleep."
IwasabouttoslipinonSylphy'sright,butstopped.IgetinbedonSylphy'sleftandgraspherhandwithmine.Sylphystrongly
grasps,squeezingback.[45]
"Goodnight,Sylphy."
"Mn.Haveagoodrest,Rudi."
Afterthat,Isleptlikealog.
WebChapter132InFrontoftheGravestone
Part1
SeveraldayshavepassedsinceRoxybecamemywife.
Istillfeeluneasythatsomekindofdisastermayhappen,butrecentlyit'sgraduallyfaded.
Zenithhastakenupresidenceinoneofthelargeroomsinthishouseaswell.
ItwastheroomwhichtheoldresidentsdiedinsoIsaidtoLiliathatitmightbebestnottodoit.
But,Zenithwasquitepleasedanddidn'twanttoseparatefromitsoitcan'tbehelped.
SeeingthatLiliaaswellsaidtherewasprobablynothingtoworryaboutoverit.
Well,I'msurehavingalargeroomisbetterthanasmallroomforZenithafterall.
I'mnotallthatfamiliarwithrecuperationandnursing,butspaciousoverconfinedshouldbebetter.
Naturally,we'vebroughtZenithtoadoctoraswell.
ThroughAriel'sreferralanexcellentphysicianknownthroughoutRanoaKingdom.
However,itseemshehasnoknowledgeaboutcaseslikethis,thetreatmentmethodisunknownaswellsowehadtogiveup.[46]
AsIthought,itseemsthemedicaltechniquesinthisworlddon'tdependverystronglyonpastrecords.
Maybebecausethere'shealingmagic,butthetreatmentmethodsinthisworldareabitdeviated.
EventhoughIsaythat,wewereabletoreceivesomeguidancetorehabilitatepeoplewhohavelosttheirmemories.
Wedon'tknowifshe'llgetbetterornot,butitshouldbebetterthandoingnothing.
...IfIhaveachanceitmightbegoodtotrysearchingforamagictoolforthesakeofrecoveringlostmemoriesaswell.
184/204
4/2/2016
Ofcourse,Idon'tknowifsuchathingasthatevenexistsornot.
Lookingatitoverthelongterm,wemightnochoiceotherthantogofortreatment.
Wedon'tknowwhatZenith'shomeintheHolyKingdomofMilismightsayaswell.
InregardstoZeniththere'sstillsomeuneasinessremaining.
Part2
Sylphy'sprogressisdoingwell.
Recentlythechildinherstomachhasstartedtokicksoshe'spleasantlyallowedmetotouchherstomach.
Inaddition,Itriedgropingherbreaststhathadswelledupfromtheinfluenceofthepregnancyandshegotprettyangry.
Itseemsithurtstotouchthemstrongly.
Ihadn'tintendedtotouchthemallthatstrongly,butitseemsshewassurprisedbecauseIsuddenlydidit.
IfI'mgoingtotouchthemthengentlysherequested.
Itwasamethodofrequestingthatmademewanttopushherdownjustlikethat.
Thinkingaboutit,beforeI'velosttothisseductionofSylphy'snumeroustimesandpushedherdown.
However,rightnowshe'spregnant.
Ican'taffordtoexposemydesires.
EventhoughIsaythat,thingsIwanttotouchIstillwanttotouch.
Ithoroughlyacceptedherinvitationtogentlytouchthem.
Afterallitseemsthere'schangetoyourbodywhilepregnant.
Itwasn'tSylphy'schestthatIwasusedtogroping.
I'mtheonethatchangedit,thinkinglikethat,andIsomehowfeltakindofunspeakablehappiness.
Iwonderifthisisthesocalled,feelingofdomination.
Yeah,Sylphybelongstome.
However,asIthoughtnothavingmylefthandisinconvenient.
ThattimewhenIcouldgropeherbreastswithbothhandsisnostalgic.
SomethingthatIhadtwoofhasbeenreducedtooneafterall,thefeelingofsatisfactionhasbeenhalvedaswell.
Iwonderifabitmoreandmilkwillcomeout.
IfIsayIwanttotrytastingthemabitIwonderifshe'llgetangry.
Iwonderifshe'llscornme.
Iwonderaboutaskingjustoncetotryit.
Itmightbebestnottodoitthough.
Howeverjustonce...
"Rudireallylikesmybreastsdoesn'the."
"Yeah,Sylphy'sbreastsaresmall,butnumberoneintheworld."
"Numberoneintheworldyousay..eventhoughyouputyourhandsonadifferentgirl?"
"S,S,So,Sorrypleaseforgiveme."
185/204
4/2/2016
"Eh~,I'mnotangry."
WhilehavingsuchasweetconversationevenmyrelationshipwithSylphyisgoingfavorablyaswell.
IfthiswereJapanofmypreviouslife,I'msureitwouldhavebeenconsiderablystiff.
ThisisadifferentworldandSylphyisunderstanding.
WhetherItaketwoorthreewivestomarryaswell,it'sfinejustaslongasIlovethemequally.
IfyouweretoaskaboutmyotherwifeRoxy,she'stakenuponeofthesmallroomsonthesecondfloor.
It'soneofthesmallestroomsonthesecondfloor.
Ididsayitwouldbefinetotakealargerroomaswell,butitseemsshelikessmallrooms.
Idon'thatesmallroomsaswell.
Sincethescentbuildsupafterall.
RoxybecameateacherattheMagicUniversity.
ThattimeIintroducedherinadditiontoreportingmyreturn,butI'llsavethisstoryforlater.
Part3
Onemoremonthafter.
Adaywithstrongsnow.
Sylphywentintolabor.
Therewerenoparticularproblems,itwasanormaldelivery.
Itwasneitherabreechnorprematurebirthaswell.
Iftherewasaproblem,itwouldjustbetothelevelofthesnowbeingtoohigh,sogoingtocallthedoctorwouldn'tmakeitin
time.
IfitweremypreviouslifethenthatwouldbesomethingtopanicoverI'msure,butreliablyinmyhousethereisLilia.
Forshewhohasanabundanceofexperienceasamidwife,evenwithoutmeaskinganything,shequicklymovedtogetherwith
Aishafollowingherorders.
WhileteachingAishatheprocess,Liliacarefullysaideachthingoneatatime.
Justincase,ifanythingcomesupRoxyandIareonstandbyattheside.
There'sabigdifferencebetweenbeingabletousehealingmagicandnotbeingabletouseitinanemergencyafterall.[47]
EventhoughIsaythat,Iwascompletelyspacedoutatthetime.
Somethinglikehealingmagicwasnowherenearenteringmymind.
IwasdoingmybestjusttightlyholdingSylphy'shandasshewassuffering.
"SeeingRudeussamarightnowanditremindsmeofthelady..thetimeofNornsama'sdelivery."
AfterhearingLiliaspeakthosewordsIrememberedthepast.
Nornwasabreechbirth,boththemotherandchildwereinadangerouscondition.
Paulwasuselessandjustgotallnervousonhisown.
ThattimeImovedcalmly,butrightnowI'minthisstate.
ThatIwasabletohandlethingswellasachildarethesamewhetheritbethisworldormypreviouslife.
186/204
4/2/2016
"However,pleaseresteasy.Rudeussama.Sylphysamaisfine.There'snothingtoworryaboutall."
WhilesayingthatLiliaindifferentlycontinuedherwork.
Thathandlingwasenoughtobecharmedby.
Evenafterbeingtolditwasfine,mytremblingwouldn'tsettle.
HoldingontoSylphy'shand,callingout"hihhiffu",andwipingthesweatfromherforeheadwereallIcouldmanagetodo.
Sylphywasmakingapainfulface,butafterlookingatmeinaflustershegiggledabitandsmiled.
"Umm..ItwouldbebetterforRuditorelaxabitmore."
Aishasuddenlywhistledoutthosewords.
LiliahitAisha'sheadwitha[peshiri].[48]
SeeingthatSylphylightlysmiled.
"Nn!!?"
Theinstanttheplaceloosenedupthewavecame.
"Sylphiettesama.Okay,pleasetakeadeepbreath."
"Nn..!"
IquietlywatchedoverasSylphygaveitherbest.
Theonlythingscomingoutfrommymouthwerejustthewordsofgiveityourbest.
IdidhavethefeelingsthatIneededtodosomething,butIcouldn'tdoanything.
InrhythmwithLilia'svoiceheaving,Sylphymadeapainfulface.
Itwasborn.
Thebabywassafelybornintothisworldraisedanenergeticfirstcry.
It'sagirl.
Withthesamecolorofhairasme,it'sacutegirl.
ShewasheldinLilia'sarmsandthenpassedovertoSylphy.
Sylphyembracedthebabyandbreathedasighofrelief.
"Thankgoodness..herhair,isn'tgreen."
HearingthosewordsthatSylphywhisperedoutIcaressedherhead.
Sylphy'sbeautifulwhitehair.
Itusedtobeemeraldgreenhair.
"..Iguessso."
EvenifthechildwasbornwithemeraldgreenhairIhadnointentionofblamingSylphy.
187/204
4/2/2016
Obviously.
Inmyregards,theemeraldgreenofthisworldisoneofmyfavoritecolorsafterall.
GreenisSylphy'scolorandit'salsoRujierd'scolor.
EvenRoxy'shaircolor,insomelightitreflectsasifitshinesemeraldgreen.
Ilikethecolorgreen.
Ifthey'regoingtodiscriminateagainstemeraldgreen,theneveniftheenemyistheworldI'llshowyou.
"Goodwork,Sylphy."
"Yeah."
But,evenifIhavethosesortsofintentions,thisworldisn'tthesame.
Emeraldgreenhairisjustthatmuchofataboo.
Adaughterbornwiththesamehaircolorasme.
WehavenochoiceotherthantothankGodforthisgoodfortune.
Although,myGodisinthecorneroftheroomtightlygraspingherstaffmakingapaleface.
"Here,Rudiholdheraswell."
"Yeah."
Holdingababy.
Thehighbodytemperatureandcryingvoicethat'snoisy.
Smallhands,smallhead,smalllips,smallnose...
It'salloverflowingwithlife.
WhenIthinkthatthisismychild,Icanfeelsomethingrisingupfromwithinmychest.
MychildthatSylphygavebirthto.
".."
Tearswerecomingout.
Paulhasalreadydied.
However,mychildwasborn.
Paulallowedmetokeepliving.
Ifitweren'tforhim,Iwouldn'tbeabletoholdmychild.
Inexchangeforthat,Paulisn'tabletoholdhiswives,daughters,orgrandchildreneven.
IwonderifPaulwouldregretnotbeingabletobeinthisplace.
Orelsemaybehewouldlaughproudlyandboastthatit'sthankstohim.
Inanycase,Ihavenochoiceotherthantogoonliving.
Forthesakeofthischildaswell,Ican'tdie.
Sylphyaswell,myfamilyaswell,Ihavenochoiceotherthantoprotectthem.
I'llgoonlivinginthisworld.
188/204
4/2/2016
I'llgoonliving.
WetookthefirstlettersofSylphyandmynametonameourdaughterLucy.[49]
It'sLucyGreyrat.
AishalaughedthatitwassimpleandLiliahitherhead.
Nevertheless,I'mgladthatitwasagirl.
If..ithadbeenaboythenImighthaveendedupnamingitPaulafterall.
Part4
AfterthatIwasdrivenoutoftheroombyLilia.
Sinceitseemsthere'revariousthingstodo,Iwastoldtowait.
Fornow,Imoveandsitdownonthesofa.
Imostlydidn'tmoveatall,butI'msuddenlyexhausted.
Roxysatdownnexttome.
Sheletoutasighwhilemakinganexhaustedfaceaswell.
RoxydidevenlessthanI.
Nomatterhowyoulookatit,I'msureit'smentalfatigue.
"It'smyfirsttimeseeingtheinstantapersonisborn.It'samazing,isn'tit?"
"I...wonderhowmanytimes.Iguessthiswouldbeaboutthethirdtime.Though,whenit'smyownchildit'sawfullytiring."
I'msureSylphyisevenmoretired.
Itwon'tbegoodifIdon'tthankherwithallmymightlater.
"IwonderifIwasbornlikethataswell."
"Well,I'msurethat'sthecaseforeveryone."
ThoughIdon'tknowaboutthingsinregardstotheMigurudorace.
Aslongasthey'reintheshapeofaperson,I'msurethere'snotanylargedifferences.
"...Iwillbeabletogivebirthlikethataswell,won'tI?"
AfterlookingatRoxyandshewaslookingupatmewithafacesomewhatblushing.
Itookoffmyshoesandsatinseizaontopofthesofa.
"Yes.IfeelthatIwillbeinyourcareforthattime."
Sylphy'schildhasbeenborn.
Inotherwords,togetherwithRoxythatsortoflifestylewillbegin.
Honestly,I'mhopingforit.
EventhoughmychildwithSylphywasonlyjustborn,Isureamanogoodperson.
Although,Idon'thatethatpartofmyself.
IthinkthatPaulmighthavehadthosesortoffeelingsaswellandIcan'thateit.
189/204
4/2/2016
I'mlookingforwardtoitfromnowon.
ThinkingthatIsmileandRoxy'sfaceturnsbrightredassheholdsherownbody.
"Rudi,you'remakinganextremelypervertedface."
"Iwasbornwiththisface."
Right.It'ssincethetimeIwasborn.
I'vebeenlikethissincethetimeIwasborn.
".."
Ah,that'sright.
BeforeIstartthatsortoflifestyletogetherwithRoxy.
There'ssomeonewhoIhavetoreportthatI'vemadeachildtofirst.
Part5
Nextday.
AloneIproceededtowardsPaul'sgrave.
Paul'sgravewastowardstheoutskirts.
It'sagraveyardonanelevatedhillfornobles.
Paulmightfinditunpleasantbeingtogetherwiththelikesofnobles.
But,themaintenanceisbetterthangeneralusegraveyard.He'llhavetoendureit.
IstandinthesnowinfrontoftheroundRanoastylegravestone.
Idon'tknowwhatPaul'sreligionwas.
Ithinkthathedidn'tbelieveinsomethinglikeGodaswell.
Evenifweweretomistakesomethinglikehissect,hewasthetypeofmanwhowouldn'tbebotheredbyitafterall,I'msurehe
wouldforgiveus.
Inreality,I'msureitwouldhavebeenbettertomakehisgraveinAsuraKingdomaroundtheBuinaVillageareathough.
ThislandhasnorelationorconnectionwithPaul.
But,ifIweretomakeitinaplacetoofarawayfrommyhouse,wewouldn'tbeabletovisitthegraveafterall.
I'vetoldGisuandtheothersaboutthisplaceaswell.
Forthetimebeing,everyonecametovisitatonepoint.
ThattimeeachandeveryonegatheredthingsthatPaullikes.
Likealcoholanddaggers.
GisuandTalhandstartedagranddrinkingboutinfrontofhisgrave,thegravekeepergotangry.
IheldthealcoholbottleIboughtonthewayundermyarmandcleanedPaul'sgrave.
Removingthesnowontopofthegravestone,polishingitwiththeclothIbroughtalong.
Itwasn'tadifficultoperationatall.
Theroadonthewaytoherewasshutoffbecauseofthesnow,butthesnowaroundthegraveitselfwasremovedtosomeextent
bythegravekeeper.
190/204
4/2/2016
AftercleaningandleavingthealcoholbottleinfrontofthegraveIpraywithonehand.
Ithoughtaboutbuyingsomeflowersasanoffering,buttheyweren'tsellingany.
InthisNorthernregiontryingtogetyourhandsonsomeflowersinwinterisdifficultI'msure.
Well,hewasn'tamanwhohadahobbyofadmiringflowers.
"Paul..Tousan.Yesterday,mychildwasborn.It'sagirl.Sinceit'sSylphy'schild,I'msureshe'llbecomeabeauty."
IsatinfrontofthegraveandreportedittoPaullikethis.
"IwantedtoshowhertoTousanaswell."
IfPaulweretoseeLucy,I'msure,hewouldhavejumpedaroundinhighspiritsuntilZenithhadchidedhim.
It'sacelebration,sayingsomethinglikethatanddrinkingalcoholtogetherwithme,gettingcompletelydrunk,sexuallyharassing
Lilia,andmakingZenithshocked.
Suchascenevividlyfloatedinfrontofmyeyes.
Thoughit'sastoryonlyifPaulwassafelyabletokeeponlivingandZenithhadn'tlosthermemories.
"Roxysenseihasbecomemywife.Ihavetwowives.ThesameasTousan.Iwouldhavelikeditifyouhadtaughtmehowtobe
readyfortimeslikethis."
Thinkingaboutit,thattime.
Inthatlabyrinth.
IwonderifitwasthatsortofthingthatPaulwantedtotalktomeabout.
KnowingthatRoxylikedme.
AndthatIlikedRoxyaswell.
Iwonderifhewantedtoteachmehowtobereadyforhavingtwowives.
"DifferentfromTousan,it'snotlikeIsuddenlyhavetwodaughters,butIthinkeventuallyRoxywillgetpregnantandgivebirth
tomychildaswell.That'sstillfarinthefuture,butitwouldbeniceifIcanraisethemenergeticallylikeNornandAisha."
IhavenointentionofsayingbadthingsaboutLilia'seducation,butI'dliketoraisemychildrenimpartiallytotheend.
WithoutanykindofweirddistortionslikebeinghalfMagicraceandsuch.
"ItseemsSylphythinksthattherewillbeevenmorewivesfromhereonoutinthefuturethough.Idon'thavesuchintention,but
theydosaythingsthathappentwicehappenthreetimesafterall.Thatmightendupbecomingthecase.."
IwonderifPauleverconsideredmarryingGhyslaineorElinalizeorVera.
ItseemslikehehadarelationshipofthefleshwithGhyslaineafterall,Ithinkhewouldconsideritatleastonce.
Well,Paulthoughtaboutthingsinthatareaevenlooserthanme,itmightbethatheneverevengaveitanythought.
"Itmightbebetterformenottooverthinkaboutthingstoomuchaswell?"
AfterfacingthegravestoneandaskingthatIfeltlikeIcouldseePaul'steasingsmile.
ItwasjustthesmileandIcouldn'thearPaul'swords.
But,I'msureit'snotlikePauldidn'tthinkaboutitaswell.
Ifeelthathewasalwaysagonizingoverit.
Somethinglikefellowsthatareabletolivewithoutthinkinginthisworld,thereshouldn'tbemanyofthem.
191/204
4/2/2016
"..Tousan.I'manogoodson.Ihavesomethinglikememoriesofmypreviouslife.Icouldn'tproperlyloveTousan."
Istoodupwhilesayingthat.
HoldingthealcoholbottleinmyhandItookthefirstsip.
AftersavoringtheburninmythroatfromthestrongdrinkIpoureditoverthegrave.
"But,nowIalreadyintendtobeaproperson."
DrowningyourselfinalcoholandmakingmistakeslikePaul,alcoholmightnotbeallthatgoodofathing.
But,I'msureit'sfinetoday.
Atanyrate,it'scelebrationsforthebirthafterall.
"Myownchildhasbeenborn,becomingaparent.Finally,I,understoodit.ThatIwasstillnothingbutachild.ThatIwasjusta
bratpretendingtobeanadultwithmemoriesofmypreviouslife."
Drinking,pouring,drinking,pouring.
Thealcoholbottlequicklywentempty.
"ThoughIfeelthatIneedtoquicklybecomeanadult.I'msure,Iwon'tbeabletobecomeoneuntilImakealotmoremistakes.
But,itwasthesameforTousansoI'llgivemybestaswell."
Iclosedthealcoholbottlewiththelidandplaceditinfrontofthegrave.
"Then,I'llcomeagain.Nexttimebringingalongeveryone."
SayingthatIfacedawayfromPaul'sgrave.
Avarietyofthingshavecometoaclose.
Painfulthingshavehappenedandhappythingshavehappenedaswell.
But,it'snottheend.
I'llstillgoonlivinginthisworld.
I'llgoonliving.
InordertonotregretitnomatterwhenIdie.
Seriously.[50]
WebChapter132.5SideStoryIstheMadDog'sSwordHeavy,orSharp?
Part1
ThewesternedgeoftheNorthernLands.
TheHolyLandofSwords.
Thislandhadseenbattlebefore.
ThisplacethatwaspresentlytheheadquartersoftheSwordGodStylehadseenforatimetheprominenceoftheWaterGod
Style.Itwasonly100yearsago.TheWaterGodofacertaingenerationhaddueledtheSwordGodandtakenthislandfromhim.
ThatWaterGodhimselfhadbeendefeatedbyanotherSwordGodandtheHolyLandreturnedtothehandsoftheSwordGod
Style.However,sincethen,thisplacehadbecometheplacewherethestrongestswordsmanofthegenerationwouldstayand
teachthesword.
192/204
4/2/2016
Tobetaughtbythestrongestswordsman.Ifpossible,defeatthestrongestswordsmanandthusbecomethestrongestyourself.To
swordsmenwhoharboredthesekindofwishes,thiswasaplacethattheywouldwishtovisitatleastonce.
Rightnow,twounusualpeoplearrivedatthisland.
Oneofthemwasapersonwhowasolderthan60.Anoldwoman.Thoughsheworeadifficultexpression,shewassomeone
whosewholeappearancecouldbestowuponothersasenseofease.Thoughshewascurrentlydressedasatraveler,wereher
clothesdifferent,shewouldn'tlookoutofplacesittinginasoftchair,knittingorembroideringsomething.
Therewasjustonethingthatdepartedfromthatimagehangingatherhipwasasingleshortsword.Moreover,ifyoulooked
carefullyyou'drealizethatshedidn'thaveasingleopening.Ifyouwereaskilledswordsman,youcouldtellwithaglancethatno
matterwhereyouthrustyoursword,itwouldn'tmeetitstarget.
Totellyouthetruth,shewastheWaterGodReydaLiiaafterall.MasteringtheWaterGodSecretArtSwordof
Deprivation,shewasoneofthosewhocouldbecalledthe'strongestswordsmanofthegeneration'.
TheonewhowasaccompanyingReydawasayoungwoman.Shewas20yearsold,giveortake,andherlooksresembledReyda.
ShewaswearingtravelersclothinglikeReyda,andshetoohadaswordatherhip.
"Oshishousama.IsthistheHolyLandofSwords?"
"That'sexactlyright.It'sthedenofbeaststhatyoukeptsayingyouwantedtogoto."
"I'mnervous."
"It'llbefineaslongasyoutrustinyoursword.Aslongasitisn'ttheSwordGodyou'reupagainst,you'replentyamatchforthis
place."
"Yes,Oshishousama."
Whileconversing,thetwoofthementeredtheHolyLandofSwords.ThoughitwascalledtheHolyLandofSwords,atfirst
glanceitlookedjustlikeanyothertown.Ithadaninn,ithadaweaponsshop,andithadanadventurer'sguild.Therewere
adventurers,merchants,andtheywereallwalkingaroundbusily.
However,iftherewasonethingstrangeaboutit,itwasthatallofthetownsfolkwereswordsmenoftheSwordGodStyle.Even
thetownsgirlshereandtherewiththeirslimarmsweremoreskilledthanmostburlyadventurers.
"Shallwefindaninnfirst?"
"There'snoneedit'llbefineifwejuststayatGullboy'splace."
Sayingthis,Reydaleftthetowncentreandcontinuedwalkingfurtherintothetown.Thefurthertheywalked,thefewerthe
adventurersandmerchantsbecame,andthemoretheywouldseepeopleinthinclothingwieldingwoodenswordsindojosbythe
roadside.ThegirlthatfollowedbehindReydaturnedherheadthiswayandthat,regardingthesightsasrathernovel,andshefelt
thatthepeoplestandinginthesnowincoldlookingoutfitswereafreshsight.
"Oshishousama.Thoughthesepeoplearecold,they'rewearingverylightclothing,aren'tthey?"
"ThoseoftheSwordGodStylethatcan'tmovequicklyaregoodfornothingsafterall.Evenifit'scold,theycan'twearheavy
thingsontheirbodies."
"They'retheoppositeofuswhowearthickclothesevenwhenit'shot.It'sinteresting,isn'tit?"
"It'snot."
Withoutsparingaglanceattheroadsidedojos,Reydawalkedstraightahead.Afterpassingacertainpoint,whetheritwasthe
dojos,thehouses,ortheyoungpeopleinlightclothing,allofthemhaddisappeared.Allthatremainedwasasinglepaththat
continuedtocutthroughthesnowylandscapelikeavalley.Attheendofitwasahouseandalargedojoencircledbyawall.
ThiswasthetruebodyoftheHolyLandofSwords.ItwasthegreatdojothatservedastheheadquartersoftheSwordGodStyle.
JustasReydaandherfollowerreachedtheentranceofthegreatdojo,awomancameoutofit.Herlonghairwastiedbehindher,
andsheboreadignifiedexpression.Shehadabucketinherhandandlookedasthoughshemayhavebeengoingtofetchwater.
Whenshenoticedthetwoofthem,sheimmediatelythrewawaythebucketandmovedherhandtotheswordatherwaistin
vigilance.
193/204
4/2/2016
"Doyouneedsomethingofus?"
Afterlookingatthewomancarefully,Reyda'sdifficultexpressionlessenedalittle.
"Ohh,Nina?You'vegottenbig,huh."
"...?"
AtReyda'swords,thewomanmadeadoubtfulexpression.
"Ahh,don'tyouremember?There'snohelpingitIsuppose.Thelasttimewemet,youweretinyafterall."
ThoughReydalookedlikeshewasseeingsomethingnostalgic,thewoman,NinaFarion,hadnorecollectionofher.Allshe
understoodwasthattheoldwomaninfrontofherwasnoordinaryperson.Andthatthewomannexttoherwasasstrongas,or
perhapsevenstrongerthan,Ninawas.
"TodayI'vebeencalledherebyyourboss.Guideustohim,wouldyou?"
"Boss?"
"GullFarion."
Ninahesitatedatthosewords.ThereweremanywhosoughtouttheSwordGod,GullFarion.However,themajorityofthem
wereaconceitedlotwhodidn'tknowtheirplacesandsoughttotaketheSwordGodtitlethemselves.Ninaandtheotherdisciples
hadthedutyofturningthemaway.
"Itmaybeimpolite,butmayIaskforyourname?"
"It'sReyda.ReydaLiia.YouunderstandjustwhichReydaLiiaIam,right?"
"!Iunderstand.Pleasecomethisway."
However,themomentNinaheardhernameshebowedoncetoherandbroughtherinside.
Inthisworld,therewasonlyonewhocouldboldlydeclarethemselvesasReydaLiia.TheywerethetopoftheWaterGodStyle
onlytheWaterGodcalledherselfReydaLiia.
ThoughNinahadconsideredforamomentthepossibilitythatitwassomeonelyingabouttheirname,shecouldsensesomething
bottomlessfromthisoldwomanandextinguishedthatthought.Evenifthiswomanwasanimposter,shewassomeoneofgreat
skill.
TheywereguidedbyNinaandenteredtheplaceoftheSwordGodStyle.Typicalofsnowycountries,thegenkantherehada
heightdifference.There,theyshookoffthesnow,andthencontinuedwalking.Thefloorwaswoodenandsqueaky.Reyda
walkedaheadwhilstlookingatNina,andsuddenlycommented,
"Thoughyou'reyoung,you'requiteobedientandkeen,aren'tyou?HaveyoubecomeaSwordKingyet?"
"No,I'mstillnotthereyet."
"Isee.You'rebeinghumbledespiteprobablybeingthestrongestamongsttheyoungstershere,right?"
"ThoughImightbethefastest,I'mnotthestrongest."
"Ohhh?That'sagoodattitude.GoodenoughthatIwouldn'tthinkyouwereayoungsteroftheSwordGodStyle."
Whilemakingsuchconversation,thethreeofthemarrivedattheSpaceofthePresent.[51]Theresatasingleman.Asthough
meditating,hiseyeswereshut.
Reydafeltlikeaswordhadbeenthrustatherthroat.AsoneoftheheadsoftheThreeGreatSwordStyles,theWaterGod,
eveninheroldagesheboastedthesamestrengththatshedidinherprime.However,onlythisman'sswordwasunblockablefor
her.
ForthismanwastheSwordGod,GullFarion.
194/204
4/2/2016
"I'vebroughtReydaLiiasama."
"You'vecome."
GullFarionopenedhiseyesalittleandlookedatReyda.Thoughheglancedatthegirlnexttoher,heimmediatelylostinterest
andlookedaway.
"You'vetravelledaverylongwaytocomehere.Suchalongjourneymusthavebeentoughonyouroldbones."
"Itreallywas.Butyoubowedyourheadtome,soIcameoutofcuriosity.Downwego..."
ReydawalkedovertotheSwordGodandsatinfrontofhim.Thoughshehadsaid'downwego',hermovementsweresmooth
likeflowingwater.AlittledistancebehindhersatNina,whoseemedtobewaiting,andthewomanReydahadbroughtalong.
"So,whoandwhatdidyouwantmetoteach?IsitfineifIteachthisgirl?"
ReydagesturedtoNinawithherchinandaskedtheSwordGod.
"Well,sheseemslikeadocilegirl.ThoughshemightbesuitedfortheSwordGodStyle,it'snotasifshewouldn'tbeabletouse
theWaterGodtechniques."
ShehadreadtheletterfromtheSwordGodandcametothisland.
IwantyoutoteachoneofmydisciplesNormallyReydawould'vetornupandthrownawaysuchaletter.However,because
theletterwasfromSwordGodGullFarionwhohatedrelyingonothers,herinterestwasperked.However,wereitonlyforsuch
areason,shewouldn'thavecomeallthewayfromtheAsurancapital.
"However,Ihaveacondition."
"What?"
"Justasyouwishforyourowndisciplestogrow,IwishforyoutoshowmydiscipletheSwordGodStyle.There'snoneedto
teachher,sojustthatmuchisfine."
Reydawassadoverthefactthatherdisciplehadgrownarrogant.AmongstthoselearningswordsmanshipintheKingdomof
Asura,thereweremanywhowerelearningtheWaterGodStyle,however,fewdevelopedanyability.ThegirlReydahadbrought
withhertodaywasoneofthosefew,andbecausetherewasnooneequaltoheramongstherfellowdisciples,shehadgottena
littlecarriedaway.Thoughshetookhertrainingseriously,becauseshehadneithergoalnorrival,Reydahadsensedthatinthis
pastyearherdisciplehadn'tgrownatall.
Reydahadbroughtherdiscipleheresothatshewouldbebroughtdownanotch,andbecauseofthat,begintomakegreatgrowth
again.EveniftheyoungstersoftheSwordGodStyleweren'tstrongenoughtohumbleherdisciple,justbattlingtheSwordGod
GullFarionwouldbecauseforgreatgainsinEXP.Afterall,forthoseoftheWaterGodStyle,thestrongerthetrainingpartner
was,thelargertheresultsoftheirtraining.
Moreover,ReydathoughtthatGullFarionwasthinkingthesamethingwhenhecalledherhere.Hisdisciplewouldcrossswords
withtheWaterGodStyle,andtastingtheWaterGodcounterswiththeirownbody,they'dbeabletogrow,shethought.
"That'sfine.It'sacheappricetopay."
"Huhun.[52]Inthatcase,shallwehaveourdisciplesfightabout?"
Reydatooktheinitiativeandspokethosewords.TheaimbehindthosewordswastohaveNinatakeherdiscipledownanotch.
ThoughitwouldalsobefinetohavetheSwordGodfighther,Reydathoughtthatbeinghumbledbysomeoneofthesame
generationwouldbemorefrustrating.
"That'sfine.Nina,callErishere."
"...Understood."
195/204
4/2/2016
Seeingthatexchange,Reydawent[Oh?]andtiltedherhead.Sincemeetingherattheentranceearlier,Reydahadthoughtthat
Ninawouldbetheoneshe'dbetraining.
"Um,Shisho."
"Whatisit?Hurryupandbringherhere."
"Thatis,woulditbepossibleifIparticipatedaswell?I'minterestedinhowfartheWaterGodgoes,so..."
"Hah?Iwasgunnahaveyoudothatfromthestart."
TheSwordGodGullFarionnoddedatherrequestlikeitwasabother.
"Thankyouverymuch!I'llimmediatelybringErishere."
Hearinghisresponse,forjustaninstantahappyexpressionappearedonNina'sface,andthenshebowed.Shethenleftthedojo.
Part2
Themomentshesawthatgirl,Reyda'sskinbrokeoutingoosebumps.
Itwasalmostlikethefeelingofencounteringamonsterontheroadside.Shealmostreflexivelymovedherhandtohersword.
Thatshedidn'tdosuchanunsightlythingwasfornoreasonotherthanthefactthatherowndisciplehadmovedfirst.The
discipleopenlydisplayedhervigilancebymovingherhandtohersword,amovementunfittingofaWaterGodStyleexponent,
whowassupposedtoalwaysremaincomposed.
"Eris.Thisgrannyisthepersonwho'llbeteachingyouabouttheWaterGodStylefromnowon."
"...I'llbeinyourcare."
Erisdidn'thidethedispleasureonherface,butshebowed.
(She'slikeawildbeast,huh...)
Reydacouldsenseviolentemotionslikethatofahungrybeast,sleepinginthedepthsofEris'seyes.Evenifshetaughtaperson
withsuchemotionsthedefensiveWaterGodStyle,theywouldn'tbeabletolearnit.Apersonlikethatwouldn'thaveknockedon
thedoorsoftheWaterGodStyleinthefirstplace.
"I'msorry,butGullboy,thislassisn'tsuitablefortheWaterGodStyleyouknow.It'dbeawasteoftime."
"Ialreadyunderstandsomethinglikethat."
SwordGodGullFarionnoddedexaggeratedly.
"Inthatcase,whatisitthatI'msupposedtoteach?"
"Idon'twantyoutoteachheranything.It'sfineaslongasyougiveheranopponentoftheWaterGodStyle."
Fromtheirexchange,ReydahadgraspedSwordGodGullFarion'sobjective.Inotherwords,hewantedthegirlcalledEristo
practiceandlearnwaysofcopingwiththeWaterGodStyle.However,Reydacouldn'tunderstandwhyhewantedthis.
Certainly,itwouldn'tbealosstogainexperienceindealingwiththoseoftheSwordGodStyle.However,therewasnoneedto
callherallthewayouthereforsuchathing.AslongasitwasatalenteddiscipleoftheSwordGodStyle,itwouldn'tbethathard
forthemtoletlooseaslashataspeedfasterthanthereactiontimeofanaverageWaterGodStylist.
RatherthanlearningthetechniquesoftheWaterGodStyle,foraNorthGodStylistitwouldprobablybeabettercountermeasure
tosimplyhonetheirowntechniques.Afterall,unliketheWaterGodStylethatcouldn'tbelearnedproperlywithoutafitting
opponent,theSwordGodStylewasastylethatfocusedontakingtheinitiativeandspeedilygraspingvictory,regardlessofthe
opponent.
TogainexperienceinfightingtheWaterGodStylespecificallysuggeststhatheplansatsomepointtohaveherfightsomeoneof
theWaterGodStyle,thoughtReyda.AndtherewasonlyoneWaterGodStylistwhotheSwordGoddidn'tthinkcouldbewon
againstwithoutgoingtosuchlengths.
196/204
4/2/2016
"What,areyouplanningonhavingthisbeastassassinatemeorsomething?"
"Goodness,no.Whatusewouldtherebeinkillinganoldladywhowouldcroakonherown?"
"Inthatcase,tellmewhatyou'rethinking.WhydoyouneedmetoteachhertheWaterGodStyle?Justwhoonearthisshe
planningtofight?"
Atthesewords,theSwordGodmadeabroadandviciousgrin.
"ErisovertherewantstodefeattheDragonGodOrsted."
"Goodness...Orsted?"
Reyda'sfaceshowedgreatagitation.Shetoo,knewverywellofthatpersonage.Shetooknewofhisstrengthandthat,forsome
reason,hecouldusethetechniquesoftheWaterGodStyle.
"TheDragonGod?That'squiteagrandioseattitudeyou'retaking.Doyouthinkshecandoit?"
"Ithinkshecan.Erisdoestoo."
"Isee,Isee.That'sfinethen.Selfconfidenceismoreimportantthananything."
Shedidn'tknowifhewaslyingortellingthetruth.SayingthattheywantedtotakedowntheDragonGod,secondofSeven
MajorWorldPowers,couldbeseenasnothingbutajoke.However,theSwordGodhadaconfidentexpression,andEriswas
makingafacelikeitwasnatural,andtogethertheyhadastrangepersuasivenesstothem.
Additionally,Reydathoughtnothingexceptthatit'dbeinterestingiftheydiditforreal.
"Butyouknow,SwordGod.Ihaven'tthefaintestintentionofteachingsomeonewithnotalent.Firsthaveherfightaboutwith
mystudent,andifshe'sstrongenoughtooverwhelmher,thenIdon'tmindteachingherthisorthat."
Itwaskillingtwobirdswithonestone.No,itwaskillingthreebirds,shethought.Herstudentwouldhaveherarrogancecrushed,
andgainexperienceinfightingwiththeSwordGodStyle.Ifshesomehowwon,thenit'djusthavebeenparticipatingin
somethingfunnyandamusing.Atsuchprospects,herheartleaps.ThoughReydawasoftheWaterGodStyle,shewasfirstand
foremostaswordswoman.
"That'showitis,Isolte.Havearoundwithher."
TheWaterGod'sdisciple.ThewomancalledIsoltestoodup.
"Iwaslisteningtoyourconversation.IamtheWaterKingIsolteCruel.Pleasedtomakeyouracquaintance."
Atthat,NinaandErisdidaswell.TheyfacedIsolte.
"I'mtheSwordSaintNinaFarion.I'llbeinyourcare."
"...ErisGreyrat."
[Threewomenmakeamarket.]Thoughtherewasasayinglikethat,itdidn'tfitthesethree,andeachoneoftookawooden
swordfromthecornerofthedojo.
"SinceShishosaysso,I'llabide,but...Idon'tthinkthatsomeoneoftheSaintrankwouldbeabletooverpowerme."
Withherhandtohermouth,IsoltemumbledasifonlyReydacouldhearher.
"...That'strue.Pleasegoeasyonme,"saidNina.
"Hmph..."
Erissnorted.
197/204
4/2/2016
Isolte'scheapprovocationseasilystirreduptheSwordGodStylegeniuswhowaseasilyfiredup.
Part3
Onehourlater,Eriswascollapsedinthedeadcentreofthedojo.
"Haa...Haa..."
Hereyesopened,andherbreathingwaswild.ShehadbeencompletelybeatendownbyIsolte.Eris'sswordhadn'ttouchedIsolte
evenonce.
Eris'sswordboastedaspeedthatwasinthetop10eveninthisdojo.Becauseofhersolopracticeswings,herswingsboasted
speedandstrengththatapproachedGhyslaine's,andbecauseoftherhythmparticulartoher,itwasdifficultevadingevenoneof
herstrikes.Furthermore,oncethetechniquesoftheNorthGodStylewereaddedin,Eris'sstrengthfarsurpassedanyordinary
SwordSaint.
However,IsoltehadcompletelyparriedallofEris'sstrikes,andmetherwithcounters.Only30minutesintothematch,werethey
usingrealswords,thenumberoftimesEriswouldhavediedapproachedthreedigits.
"..."
NexttoErislayIsolte.AfterEris'sdefeat,theonewhooverwhelmedthetriumphantIsoltewasNina.
[Intheend,asavagestylewithonlyspeedandpowerliketheSwordGodStylecanneverbreakthroughthetechniquesofthe
refinedWaterGodStyle.]
NinaeasilycrushedIsolte'sconceitedthoughts.
Nina'sstrikeflewatIsoltewithoutmercy,andasifsuckedin,struckherinthetemple.TheresultwasthatIsoltewasthoroughly
defeated.Itonlytookonestrike.
"Theresultwasprettyinteresting,huh."
Theonewhosaidthatwastheonesittingattheheadseatofthedojo,SwordGodGullFarion.
"..."
NinagaveadeepbowtotheSwordGod.Hehadsaidthatitwasaninterestingresult.Hehadprobablynotthoughtthatshe
wouldwin,evenuntiltheend.ThoughNinahadsomediscouragingthoughtslikethat,havingbeengiventhetypeofsettingthat
allowedhertoshowhergrowth,Ninawashappyaswell.Ninatoo,enjoyedthefeelingsofvictory.
"Theresultwasn'tinterestingoranythingelse."
TheonewhosaidthiswasReyda.Toher,thisconclusionwasnatural.Abeastthatdidn'teventrytoconcealitsbloodlustwas
likeasittingducktotheWaterGodStyle.Eriswascertainlystrong.Shehadpotential.Asabundleoffightingspirit,shewaslike
aheavensentchildwhenitcametobattles,butevenso,shecouldn'tdefeattheWaterGodStyle.
AsforthefightbetweenNinaandIsolte,theresultofthistoo,wasobvioustoReyda.Evenatthatage,withthatmuchability,
Ninawasn'tconceited.ItwasprobablythatbecauseofthatErisgirlthatNinahadnoroomtobecomeconceited.Theresultof
trainingwithoutbeingconceitedwasthatshewasabletodefeatIsolte,whoonthecontrarytrainedwithconceit.
ComparingNina'sslashestoEris's,theyweren'tespeciallyfast.Onthecontrary,theywerejustatinybitslower.Whenitcameto
theheavinessoftheirstrikes,Eris'sabilitytooverwhelmwasprobablyhigher.
However,Nina'sstrikewasastrikethatwasn'tfuelledbyheremotions.Therewasnobloodlustatallwithoutevenpreparingher
emotions,asinglestrike.Letalonebloodlust,Isoltecouldn'tevensenseanyintenttostrike.
"However,theresultsweresatisfactory,weren'tthey?Howaboutit?DoyouwanttolearnWaterGodtechniquesfromme?"
Beingaskedthat,Ninashowedthatshewasthinkingaboutitforalittle,butintheend,sheshookherhead.
198/204
4/2/2016
"No,IintendtomastertheSwordGodStyle."
"Isee,Isee.That'sfine."
Reydalaughedwithinterest.
"Gullboy.Howaboutthis?Forawhilewe'llhavethesethreetrainwitheachother,andhavethemimprovethemselvestogether."
"Yeah.Sheprobablyhasnothingtosay,losingtosomeonelikeaWaterKing."
"Ourkidaswellmightbecomehardworkingagainifshehasatargetrightaboveher."
TheresultofthediscussionbetweentheSwordGodandWaterGodwasasfollows:
EriswouldtrainuntilshecoulddefeatIsolte.IsoltewouldtrainuntilshecoulddefeatNina.Astheyhadthesamegoalinmind,
andwouldpointouteachother'sweakpoints,somegrowthcouldprobablybeexpected.Itwasthatkindofconclusion.
"...Nina,areyoufinewiththis?"
"I'mfinewithit."
Ninanodded.Certainly,shehadonlygotteninvolvedthistimeoutofcuriosity.Betteringherselfwiththebestdiscipleofthe
SwordGodStylewouldprobablybeaplusforheraswell.Ninahadwon.However,Ninadidn'tfeelthatIsolteorEriswere
belowher.Furthermore,sheunderstoodthebenefitsofcompetingfirsthandhadErisnotbeenherethesepastfewyears,she
probablycouldn'thavewonagainstIsolte,shethought.
"Alright.Iguessthat'showwe'llbedoingit.Inthemorningfollowyourownteacherasusual,andthenoncethesunstartsto
fall,thethreeofyougatherandtraintogether."
"Yes."
"...Gotit."
Ninanoddedsilently,andErisaswellansweredaswellwhilestillprone.ThoughIsoltelayunconscious,Reydahadnointention
ofvoicinganycomplaints.
Likethis,Eris'sAntiWaterGodStyletrainingbegan.
Part4
Onemonthlater.
Astrangethreewaydeadlockhadformed.
ErisbeatNina.
NinabeatIsolte.
IsoltebeatEris.
Whileeachofthemwouldstilldotheirowntraining,eachdaytheywouldfaceeachotheranumberoftimes,exchangingtheir
opinions.IsolteimmediatelypinpointedEris'sweakness.
"Youletouttoomuchkillingintent,Erissan.WeoftheWaterGodStylecanreadkillingintent,soifweknowanattackis
coming,wecanprepareourstance."
"Evenifyoutellmethat,Idon'tgetit.JustwhatamIsupposedtodo?"
ErisobedientlylistenedtoIsolte'swords.Thoughshewasasselfcenteredandviolentassheseemed,Eriswasapersonwho
covetedwaystostrengthenherself.
"Let'ssee...Thoughyouletoutalmostnokillingintentbeforeyoustrike,Ninasan,howdoyoudoit?"
199/204
4/2/2016
"Evenifyouaskmehow...Sinceyou'llwinaslongasyourswordisthefasterone,there'snoneedforstufflikebloodlust,
right?"
Onthecontrary,itwasamysterytoNinawhyEriswasatalltimes,spillingbloodlusteverywhere.
[Ifthere'snoenemy,what'sthepointgettingsoworkedup?Wouldn'titbebettertoberelaxednormally?]
Nina'sthoughtswerealongtheselines.
"Idon'tgetit."spokeEris.
"Let'ssee.Thenhowaboutmakingitadailyhabittogetinthebath,washyourbody,eatproperly,andtothinkaboutthat
belovedguythatyoumentionedwhilelyinginawarmfutonbeforesleepingproperly?"
"Whattheheck.Rudeushasnothingtodowithit,right?"
"Yeah...Geez,thelastonewasajoke.Anyway,justdotheabove.Youstink,andyoulookill,andit'sreallyunsightly."
"...Gotit."
Erisherselfdidn'twanttostretchherselfsomuchthatshewouldsnap.Themoreshetrained,themoresheunderstoodthatthe
DragonGodOrstedinhermemoriesheldludicrouspower.IsoltewhowasjustinfrontofherusedthesametechniquesasOrsted
did.However,thoseweretechniquesfar,fargreaterandmoreprecisethanIsolte's.TheoutsiderOrstedsurpassedtheWaterKing
inthesetechniques.
"Hahhh,whycan'tIwinagainstsuchaperson?I'lllosemyconfidence."
Ninaletoutahugesigh.AttheadviceoftheSwordGod,GullFarion,shespenteverydaycontinuingarationaltraining
programme.Sherationallytrainedherbody,rationallyatemeals,andspenteachdayrationally.Despiteallthis,shecouldn'twin
againsttheclearlyirrationalEris.
"...BecauseImakeitsothatit'slikeyoumoveafter."
"Eh?"
Ninahadn'tthoughtthatEriswouldeversayanythingtoher.Eriswasselfcenteredandsomeonewhonormallywouldn'tcare
aboutanyoneelse'sproblemsafterall.
"ItwassomethingthatRuijerdtaughtme.Ifyouusestufflikeyourgaze,youcanmakepeoplemovebeforeyouliketheymove
afteryou."
"Ruijerd...Who'sthat?"
"He'smyteacher."
NinatiltedherheadatEris'swords.Shedidn'treallyunderstandwhatEriswassaying.
WhatErisnormallyusedwasahighleveltechniquethatRuijerdtaughther.Asthecrystallizationofsomethingthathardened
combatveteranswouldsubconsciouslydo,itwasoneofthetechniquesofthewarriorsoftheSupardRace.
"Inotherwords,youintentionallyprovokeyouropponent'sattacks,Erissan?"
"That'sright."
"..."
AtIsolte'sexplanation,NinaunderstoodEris'swordsaswell.Thoughsheunderstood,asexpecteditdidn'tmakeitanyless
suspicioussounding,andNinastaredatErisinsuspicion.Shehadn'tthoughtthatthiswoman,wholookedexactlylikeshewas
bornandbredinthemountains,wouldbeabletousesuchahighleveltechnique.
Onthecontrary,IsolteunderstoodthatthiswasexactlywhatEriswasdoing.TheschoolknownastheWaterGodStylewasone
thatwasprimarilyseatedincounters.Itstechniquesaswellwerefoundedaroundthebasisofmakingtheopponentmovefirst.
"Isee.Doyoudothisaswellwhenyouhavemeasanopponent?"
200/204
4/2/2016
"Ido,butyoudon'tmove,doyou?"
"I'veundergonetrainingforthatafterall...Nexttime,trynottodothat,orletoutkillingintentandtheresultmightbealittle
differentforallweknow."
"...I'llgiveitatry."
Whilstfrowning,Erisnodded.Thoughshesaidshewouldtryit,shedidn'tknowhowshewassupposedtocontrolherkilling
intent.Afterall,itwasn'tsomethingconsciousthatshecouldtakecontrolof.Ofcourse,thiswassomethingshehadbeentoldby
othersmanytimesalready.However,RuijerdhadtaughtEriswaystousethatoverflowingbloodlustinstead,soitwasn't
somethingthatshewantedtohear.
[Thoughnormallyit'dbeademerit,aslongasyou'refarenoughaboveothers,thenthere'snoneedtoforciblykeepitincheck.]
Itwasalongthislineofthinking.
"WhatshouldIdo?Hey,Isoltesan,whatdoyoudo?"
"...Foryou,Ninasan,let'ssee,intheWaterGodStylewehavetrainingwhereyou'redeprivedofyoursightandaremadeto
determinetherealattackbut...sinceI'veheardthatit'sabattletechniquethatMagicRacesoftenuse,theSwordGodStyle
shouldhaveitsownwayofcopingwithitaswell,Ithink.HowaboutaskingyourOshishousamaaboutit?"
Isoltehadbothexcellenceandcleverness.AmongsttheswordsmenoftheWaterGodStyle,thereweremanydiligentand
perseveringpeople.
"Phew,itwon'tgoverywell...Oh,thesun'sabouttoset,isn'tit?"
Withthosewords,Ninaendedthestudysession.
"Wellthen,untiltomorrow,huh?...Somehow,it'sbeenfunlately,soitcan'tbehelpedthatwedothisforsolong.It'smyfirst
timehavingdiscussionswithpeopleofmylevelandage,afterall."Isoltesaid,cheerfully.
"That'strue.It'sthesameforme,Isoltesan."
Ninaagreed.ThoughEriswasnormallysilent,onceshespoketoher,shefoundthatEris'sknowledgeoncombatwasbroadand
varied.Herknowledgewasn'tlimitedjusttotheNorthGodtechniquesthatshehadrecentlybeenlearning,butalsoincludedthe
techniquesoftheMagicRace.ThoughshehadgivenNinatheimpressionofbeinganincomprehensiblemonkeywoman,Nina
wasnowreevaluatinghertrueworth.Itwasn'tthatshewasusinguncivilizedtechniques,butjusttechniquesofadifferentschool,
Ninathought.
"...Hmph."
Eriswasthesameasalways.Normally,evenifsheparticipatedinstudysessionsatthewordoftheSwordGod,shedidn'tvoice
herownopinions.
WhatErisrecalledatthosetimeswasthedistantpast:thetimeswhenshestudiedswordsmanshiptogetherwithRudeus.Inthose
days,shehaddonethiskindofthingaswellwithRudeus,theydiscussedthisandthat,andvariousideaspoppedupaswell.It
wassomethingthatRudeusdid.Thoughitwasforthiskindofsimpleandeasilyunderstoodreason,toErisitwasanextremely
importantreason,andmadehercommunicatewithothers.
"Wellthen,I'llbegoingandtrainingwithShishonow."
"Thankyoufortodayaswell,Isoltesan."
"Notatall,Ninasan.Ifeelthesameway.It'sthetruththatI'msteadilygettingstrongeraswell."
Wheretheroadseparatedintopathsleadingtothedormsandtheguestarea,NinaandIsoltespoketheirfarewellswithsmiles.
Eriscontinuedwalkingbrisklytowardsthedormitories.
"Thankyouaswell,Erissan."
"...I'llgetahitintomorrow."
"I'lllookforwardtoit."
201/204
4/2/2016
"Hmph."
Withoutglancingback,Eriscontinuedtowalk.NinabowedoncetoIsolteandthencaughtuptoEris.
"Eris,it'sfineifyoukeeptrainingafterthisbut,onceyou'redone,atleasttakeabath!"
WasittheusualEris,shewould'veturnedadeafeartothesewords.Ninaaswellthoughtthatitwasawasteofbreath,butstinky
thingsstank,soshehadnochoicebuttocontinuesayingthiseveryday.However,Eriswasdifferenttoday.Whilemakinga
slightlyunhappyexpression,sheturnedherheadandstaredintenselyatNina.
"Whatyousaidearlier,wasitforreal?"
"Earlier?WhatdidIsay?"
"ThatifeverydayIgetinthebath,washmybody,eatproperly,andthinkaboutRudeuswhilelyinginawarmfutonbefore
sleepingproperly,I'llbeabletogetridofmybloodlust."
"Uu..."
Nina'swordswerecaughtinherthroat.ThosewerejustrandomwordsshehadspoutedouttogetEristodoasshewanted.
However,therewasnomistakethat[mushin]couldbebornfromrelaxing.That'swhyshecarriedthroughwiththisidea.
"T,that'sright.Ingeneral,ifyou'reassmellyasyouarenow,thatguyyoumentioneddefinitelywon'tturnyourway,youknow."
"No,hewould,youknow.Rudeuswouldalwayshugmysweatdrenchedshirtsafterall."
"That's..."
WhilerecallingRudeuswhoshehadonlyeverseenonce,Ninaimaginedhimburyinghisfaceinagirl'ssweatyshirt.
[He'sjustapervert.]
However,seeingthatEris'sexpressionwasquicklybecomingdispleased,Ninadidn'tsaythis.
"Anyway,I'veheardthatifyou'retoodirty,evenmenwillstarttohateyou."
"Well,Rudeusreallydidn'tslackoffoncleaning,huh."
"T,that'sright!That'swhyyoushouldmakesuretoalwayskeepyourbodyclean."
Erisstartedtothink.WhatsherecalledwasRudeus.Thoughshehadthoughtnottothinkabouthim,shelostfocusandendedup
rememberinghim.Oncesherememberedhim,hermouthstartedtospreadintoahappysmile.
Then,Erisnoticed.Thatwhenshewaslikethis,sheprobablydidn'thaveanybloodlust.
Sothen,shenoddedatNina.
"Igetit.I'llgohaveabaththen."
"Yeah,Iknewyou'dsaythat.Igetitalready,soI'lljustgiveupontr...Whatdidyoujustsay?"
Erisdidn'trespondtothatquestionandreturnedtoherroom.
Withaconfusedexpression,Ninastoodstockstill.
IttookanotheryearfromthatpointforEristobeabletofightatleastonparwithWaterKingIsolte.
202/204
4/2/2016
Translator'sNotesandReferences
1.nottoosureonthisone.Ifit'sallonenameorwhatnot..[EvilSpiderTarantulaDeathLord]
2.Iitodebiru,I'mnotsurewhatitwasgoingforwiththeiitopart.
3.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roguelike
4.koshiosuete?sitandwait?fixed?
5.thislineisPaul,occasionallyhereferstohimselfasdadwhentalkingtoRudikindofhardlinetotellwhowassayingit
evenintheJapanese
6.Thesethingscanbeconsidered,layer,level,orfloor,IwasundecidedbetweenfloorandlevelsoIwentwithfloorbut
thedefinitionisrougherthanthat.
7.Cutlass?BeingapiratesuitsPaul.
8.Wow.Noclue.TLCSkuizaannote:Sabuiboisgoosebumps,sothesecondandthirdsentencesofthisquotebetter
translateto:"Willyouknockitoff?Itgivesmegoosebumpswhenyoustartsoundinglikemymother."
9.OhmorWorm?
10.dadigakuruda.RLKOOL
11.He'susingwapuinEngrishnotteni(teleport/transfer)thatheusuallyuseshere
12.Notsomethinghesaid:GodisnotdeadorIcanfeelthepresenceofGod.
13.ManaCalamity.
14.Atranslatorneedstopulltheoriginallunehere,Ican'ttellifthisismeanttobeathoughtoranactionI.E.Thinkinga
outstealingpantsuoractuallydoingitagain.
15.NotsurewhoismakingtheselfmockingsmileRoxyorRudeusheresincethelineisRudeusmonologueaboutRoxy's
actionsED:Fromthecontextshewasembarrassedandalsofeelsstupidfornotactingappropriatelynaturallyduetothe
situation.Likeherself.
16.Notsurehowtowordthis,butit'sbasicallyhowhe'stheruler/inthespotlight
17.ED:Whatisrotten?IfeelitshouldbeEvenifitsillmanneredinstead.Notsurethough..
18.itseemstohavesomekindofcensornotsureonthereference.SkuizaanTLC:WhirlwindFormation
fromRomancingSaga3(SFC)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEkCIL7Mn_c#t=95
19.Whatemotionisthis?It'sthedescriptionof"puppydogeyes"whichindicatestimidness/submissiveness.
20.notsureifthat'stworeferencesoroneorwhattheyare...
21.HornwormsniperseemstobeaJapanesetermforFPScamperorsomeonewhosnipesyouthemoment
youspawn.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camping_(gaming)
22.TheauthoractuallyusesthetermSairiumAKACyalumeinthisline,
http://livedoor.blogimg.jp/makotcollection/imgs/9/6/962be9a8.jpg
23.,YatsuzagiKourinseemstobehttp://ultra.wikia.com/wiki/File:Ultra_Slash_on_Ginga_.jpg
24.Guesswhat'scrawlingaboveyoualongtheroofhttp://www.thewatcherfiles.com/images/alien3.jpgIimagineitsamixof
thatandhttp://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Gollum
25.Pickthemostfrighteningones'eggs:Alien,Badigadi,Cockroach
26.thewaythesearewordedisalmostcomical,somekindofreferencetobakatotest?Ican'treadthecharacterthoughit
seemstobemultiplechoiceitalsohasthecharacterforniortwoinfront.
27.What??
28.ketanokuriagari,I'mnot100%surewhathewasreferringtohereforhertrippingupon,theorderorsomething,digits,
ormaybemultiplication.ED:Seemslikemultiplicationtablesletsassumethat,asitslearnedbeforedivision,anyways.
29.ForavarietyofreasonsI'vedecidedtoleavethatwordasitisInu=dog,youcanlookitupifyouwant.
30.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ikky%C5%ABsan?notsureonthereference.
31.Followthetwodimensionalmagiccircleroad.
32.ji?bojoboyatteirucharactersaremessedupsonotsure100%onthisline.Lostinthough,spacingout,ortakingcareof
businessmostlikely
33.shougon,I'mnotsureifthere'sagoodEnglishtermforthisgoogletheJapanesecharactersorjustthinkofagiant
templelikehall.
34.Takeyourpick:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ImprisonedZelda_4758.jpgor
http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20100722133703/valkyrieprofile/images/thumb/0/02/Silmeria_VP_Lenneth.jpg/569px
Silmeria_VP_Lenneth.jpg
35.I'mterriblewiththesechants,nottomentionIcan'treadacharacterinactualskillname,someonegofindthisabilityin
previouschaptersandcopy/pasteit.FrostNova,perhaps?It'sbetterthan"IceFrostAttack"soI'lluseit,ifit'sadifferent
attack,someonecorrectit.
36.IblamePaulforthisone,forsellingyouofftonoblesatthebrightyoungageof7.EDyouleftoutthepartwherehewas
beatenbeforebeingsold.
37.Iwasn'tsurewhatwordwouldworkhere,butIbelieveannihilationofthecontinentherereferstosplittingofCentraland
DemonContinentsfromtheoriginalwhole.
38.RomancingSaGa2battleformation.
39.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tant%C5%8D
40.Anoxia.
41.Thebehindthescenesassistants.
42.Thetitleofthischapteris(shuraba),literally'aplaceofAsura'.Whatitmeansisabloodybattlefield,orascene
ofcarnage,aplaceofviolenceandmayhem...andisalsocommonlyusedtorefertochaoticromanticconfrontations
(think:yourtwoexgirlfriendsmeetingyourcurrentwife,andyourcurrentgirlfriend).Wedon'thaveawordwithsuchan
implicitmeaning(it'salmostlikesynecdoche),soIwentwith'Hell'.
43.Note:Aishagoes'buuu'.Youknow,howanimepeople"grumble"assuch?Yeah.
44.Note:euphemismfor'dick'inJP
45.Amputeeproblems:(Ilovethisdowntoearthaspect
46.sajionagerareta?thatsoundslikespoonwasthrownatustome,somekindofproverbmaybeforbeingforcedtogive
up,notsure.
47.TLCmightbegoodhere
48.Seriouslythere'slike1015soundeffectswhichIhavealmostnocluehowtotranslateinthis10lines,Idon'tevencare
anymore.Nowlet'slistentolegendarycatdogshowl[Mwhaaayananan~]
49.RudeusRU,SylphySHI=RushiorroughlyLucyitmakesmoresenseinJapanese.
203/204
4/2/2016
50.Honkide.
51.Theformalnameforthemeetingroom
52.Note:I'mhopingthatyouguysknowthisbynow,butthis'huhun'soundthatItranslatesooftenislikeachuckling
sound.Like,'hmhmph'.Thewaypeoplenormallychuckle/manlygiggle.
BacktoVolume12 ReturntoMainPage ForwardtoVolume14
Retrievedfrom"http://www.bakatsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Mushoku_Tensei:Volume_13&oldid=381564"
Thispagewaslastmodifiedon14August2014,at08:11.
ContentisavailableunderTLGTranslationCommonAgreementv.0.4.1unlessotherwisenoted.
204/204

Mushoku Tensei - Volume 13 - Baka-Tsuki

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

You might also like

Mushoku Tensei - Volume 13 - Baka-Tsuki

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Mushoku Tensei - Volume 13 - Baka-Tsuki

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

4/2/2016

BacktoVolume12 ReturntoMainPage ForwardtoVolume14

You might also like