Episode 40

The sun had completely set, and the world was covered in darkness.

After passing through the vast Verde Great Forest, the moonlight illuminated the land in a fantastical glow. The carriage carrying Zeke (Hiroto) moved slowly onward.

From the direction of Finis Domain, their destination, a violent clash of magical power could be felt. Perhaps caused by magic, flashes of light occasionally flickered. — Someone was fighting. Anyone living in this world would have reached that conclusion immediately.

(So it still… turned out like this.)

Hiroto thought as he drove the carriage alone.

Pariaach and the others had appeared before the protagonists who were hurrying ahead to save Masfelt. Their objective was to delay them. They had launched an attack to prevent anyone from interfering with the assassin sent to kill the Sword Saint.

The same development as the original story was unfolding before his eyes.

(Is even this following the scenario? Give me a break.)

If Aktor’s information was correct, Van, the heroine Ciel, Selen, and Glanz should all be there. In the original story, Fonsell had also been present.

There were some differences, but it still had not reached the level of breaking away from the scenario that Hiroto desired. Regardless of the process, the results had not changed that much.

The protagonists began their journey to save their grandfather, the Sword Saint.

While gathering information across various regions, they were contacted by Aktor of the ducal house. He proposed a deal: conquer the unexplored Lagias Dungeon, and in return Masfelt would be saved with sacred arts. At that time they met Ciel and Selen, and gained Glanz’s cooperation in order to challenge the Lagias Dungeon.

Through many experiences they forged their bonds. Their childhood friend Fonsell, who belonged to the Knight Order, occasionally joined them, and together they steadily advanced step by step.

(The development feels faster… but if Ciel can use sacred arts, it makes sense.)

Unlike the Ciel of this world, the Ciel in the original story carried deep emotional wounds. While both could use sacred arts, the effectiveness was like night and day.

Since Van and the others had failed to meet the prerequisite of conquering the Lagias Dungeon, the ducal house mercilessly refused to lend them a proper sacred arts practitioner. Feeling responsible, Ciel pleaded with the ducal house, but her request was rejected, and she was ultimately expelled from her home.

The protagonist invited Ciel, who had nowhere to go, to travel together, and Selen naturally offered to accompany them as her guard. Glanz, who had chosen retirement due to past events, also decided to rise again after witnessing their determination. There were no longer any deals or requests involved. They had become true companions.

After many twists and turns, Ciel eventually mastered sacred arts completely.

With Masfelt’s treatment finally within reach, the protagonists headed toward Finis Domain. Just like in this world, they were attacked by enemies but repelled them and hurried onward. And the sight they witnessed was — Zeke holding a bloodstained sword. And Masfelt collapsed at Zeke’s feet.

It had become an event where the protagonists and Zeke became enemies, but that was only in the game, and could not happen in this world. Killing the Sword Saint would bring Hiroto no benefit whatsoever… and even if it did, he had no intention of committing murder.

(In this situation where Van and the others are fighting. I should rush in and help them right now… as if I’d think that.)

If things followed the original story, Van and the others would defeat the enemy and continue forward. One main character was missing, but that should not be a problem. Their individual abilities were clearly stronger than in the original story. The reason for their growth was unknown, but this was not a game with levels. Some changes were inevitable.

(There’s no need for me to help Van and the others, and no reason to. I’ll fight for my own sake.)

Even if he left them alone, they probably would not die. And if they did fall, then that was simply the extent of their existence.

In every scenario route, all members of the Lagias family died. In other words, the main characters never exited the story. If they were the ones to disappear, then Zeke’s survival would become possible. That itself could be called escaping the scenario.

(What I should be concerned about more than the main characters is)

Masfelt Freak, who always died in the story.

Zeke Lagias, who had been manipulated into going to kill the Sword Saint.

This world seemed to be forcing the scenario upon them, but Hiroto had no intention of following it. On the contrary, he intended to destroy the entire scenario.

If Masfelt was destined to die in the original story, then he would overturn that predetermined future. He had no intention of pretending to be a good person. Those he disliked would be crushed, and those he wished to save would be saved. — After all, Hiroto possessed the power he had obtained in order to survive.

Zeke stopped the horse, stepped down from the carriage, and immediately began running. Ignoring the direction where Van and the others were fighting, he circled around toward Masfelt’s house.

(Do your best to buy some time… for both our sakes.)

The crimson-glowing blade collided with the raging flames surrounding Feluart. The violently clashing heat rose into the air, staining the sky red.

“What’s wrong, Van! Is that all you’ve got?!”

“Damn it… Feluart, you…”

Rather than focusing on the raging flames Feluart controlled, Van was paying attention to something else. The magical pattern appearing across Feluart’s face resembled the one worn by the enemy they fought during the royal capital attack.

“Air Bullet!”

A wind projectile attacked Feluart but was deflected by the flames and dispersed. The one who fired the long-range magic was Eris.

“Hey now, a man’s having a heated battle here. Isn’t it rude to interrupt? — Right, Eris?”

“Huh? What are you talking about? That’s disgusting.”

Eris fought while wielding a dagger and a short staff. Her eyes burned with anger.

“Feluart. We saw people with a similar pattern to yours in the royal capital. — What’s your connection to them?”

“The royal capital…? Oh yeah, that thing from about two years ago.”

Wrapped in blazing flames, Feluart pretended to think. Eris felt disgust at his every movement.

“That was an attack we launched while searching for the successor of the ‘key.’ I didn’t go there myself though, so I don’t know the details.”

“…You’re not even denying it. That you were their ally.”

“Of course not. That would mean denying everything we’ve done up until now…”

“Wind Lance!”

A spear of wind magic shot toward Feluart. With killing intent behind it, the wind spear was kicked upward into the sky by Feluart. The magic burst a moment later, sending violent gusts in all directions.

“Why… did you people do something like that?”

“Didn’t you hear me? I said it was to find the ‘key.’ — But they decided that key couldn’t be used for the plan. …Don’t go letting your personal feelings get involved.”

He cast a meaningful glance toward Van.

“I don’t care about your keys or plans! What Eris is asking is — why did you attack the royal capital? Why did you hurt so many people? Why are you still grinning like an idiot?!”

A flying slash wrapped in fire. Van’s Flame Slash struck Feluart, yet Feluart remained calm, not even attempting to dodge.

“Because of the monsters you released… a lot of people died!”

“Probably. A person’s soul shines brightest right before they die. Otherwise we wouldn’t find what we’re looking for.”

“As a return gift,” a scorching blast of heat rushed to incinerate Van and Eris. However, Van’s iaido slash split the hot wind in half before it could burn them. Violent updrafts swirled around the battlefield.

“Feluart… I told you before, didn’t I? I’m an adventurer who works in the royal capital.”

“Huh? So what?”

“The royal capital is my home — our home! And you people attacked it for some incomprehensible reason and took the lives of innocent people!”

Eris created dozens of wind spears that had previously been deflected and launched them all at once. Perhaps sensing the danger, Feluart ran, sometimes deflecting them with flames as he dodged.

“Don’t ask me. I wasn’t the one who did that.”

“It’s the same thing! What exactly were you thinking while listening to my story?!”

Boosting her speed with support magic, Eris rushed forward like a gale and slipped into Feluart’s guard. Her right straight punch slammed into him.

“How dare you — my hometown! Everyone’s ordinary lives!”

“…Too light! That punch is way too light. This is how you do it!”

Feluart’s flame-coated fist shot toward Eris, but Van’s sword intercepted it.

“Feluart. I fought someone who used that power before. They were pushing themselves way too hard to use it. Your body…”

“Hey now, don’t lump me in with those failed experiments. I’m not some suicidal idiot!”

Flames shaped themselves into a sword and clashed violently with Van’s blade, scattering sparks.

“Don’t get cocky with borrowed power!”

“You’ve got a mouth on you! If you don’t have the aptitude you lose control and die. And even if you do, it takes years to get used to this!”

Switching places with Van, Eris clashed blades with Feluart. Wind magic wrapped around her dagger pushed back the flames.

With the wind at her back, Eris closed in — but suddenly a tornado of flames erupted and swallowed Feluart. Van and Eris were forced to retreat and create distance.

“Kuhahaha! — This power is incredible! With this, I can finally take revenge on the Lagias!”

A brilliant radiance reminiscent of the sun. A blazing ring of light illuminated the night and separated them.

“I exist to slaughter every last member of the Lagias family. That’s my role!”

“Why are you bringing up the Lagias name now? And destiny or roles… that doesn’t matter. Each of us is a human being with our own will!”

“I’ll cut off that rotten nature of yours right here! And then I’ll throw you into prison!”

“Go ahead and try it! Third-rate adventurers!”

“Well, well, things are getting lively over there. Compared to that, over here…”

Four people faced Pariaach. Glanz and the others held their weapons ready, but did not attack, carefully observing the situation.

“You provoke us to lure out our magic. Then you reflect that power as nourishment. The ability of this domain you’ve deployed… am I mistaken?”

“Ouch, you figured that out on your first try?”

Though he pretended to be annoyed, an unpleasant smile spread across his face, as if mocking them.

“You also arranged things so that Van-san and Eris-san would head over there for that reason, didn’t you? Since they use swordsmanship.”

“That’s not the only reason. It looked like they had some sort of grudge going on. Doesn’t it make for a nice little tragedy?”

“You’re despicable.”

Selen muttered. Knowing the villagers who had died due to Pariaach’s deeds only deepened her anger. Ciel felt the same.

“Despicable? From my perspective, you humans are far more despicable. Repeating history again and again like fools.”

“You talk as if you’ve seen it all yourself. Are you some ghost that can’t move on?”

“A ghost? Hahaha! To think humans would call me a ghost. My, how arrogant you’ve become.”

Pariaach laughed cheerfully, yet no emotion was contained in that laughter. Its mechanical tone was eerie.

“We don’t have time to deal with you right now. After we save the Sword Saint, you will answer for your crimes.”

“How selfish. You think the laws humans made can bind me? Arrogant and ignorant. Truly pitiful…”

He merely grinned foolishly at Ciel’s words.

“Well, if that’s what you want, I suppose it’s fine. Our goal is simply to buy time anyway.”

“…Buy time? Until when?”

“Why, until the Sword Saint dies. That’s the order we received. Right, ‘Guide’?”

Atri, who had been called the Guide, tilted her head in confusion. — Glanz narrowed his eyes.

“Even the successors haven’t been told how this world truly works. Diabalet really is a sinful place. And the Lagias family dying without ever knowing… how pitiful.”

“…Disappear.”

A torrent of magical power suddenly erupted. The raging storm of mana shattered the domain Pariaach had deployed. Atri’s eyes glowed white.

“I’m surprised. For a mere human to break my power — no, more importantly… how fascinating! The ‘Guide’ is obsessed with Lagias!”

Atri fired a scorching magical beam, but Pariaach created a jet-black sphere that swallowed it. The magic detonated violently in another dimension, causing the surrounding space to tremble.

“This is a good opportunity. Maybe I’ll play with you after all. I’d like to kill the hypocritical saintess too!”

The silence shattered into an intense exchange of magic between both sides. They each had far too many reasons to fight.

Inside a silent chamber beneath a high ceiling. No lamps were lit, and only moonlight entering through the window illuminated the lonely space. Sleeping as if unconscious upon the bedding was the Sword Saint, Masfelt Freak. And beside him stood a figure with their face hidden beneath a black hood.

Normally several members of the Freak Trading Company were always present to care for Masfelt, but now not a single person remained.

“…You’ve grown quite old, Masfelt.”

The black-hooded figure muttered. The words carried a contradictory mix of contempt and sorrow.

“You couldn’t save anyone. Even as the Sword Saint, you accomplished nothing. — You are unnecessary for the new world.”

A longsword was held in the hooded figure’s hand. A mysterious blade glimmering eerily in the darkness. It looked unnatural, something that did not belong in this world, an alien sword that filled the viewer with discomfort as it was aimed at Masfelt’s heart.

“Farewell. — Foolish swordsman.”

— An explosion blasted outward in all directions.

The building collapsed, massive cracks tore across the ground, and rubble scattered everywhere.

Two figures burst from the dust and shockwave of the collapse. The black hood was blown away, revealing the attacker. And there stood the once-strongest man, breathing heavily.

“You fool… who do you think taught you the sword? Hm — Elzen.”

The figure stood illuminated by moonlight.

The heir to the Sword Saint, the Sword Saint’s son, the new Sword Saint meant to carry the next generation. Everyone had believed in that future. Masfelt had believed it too — he had wanted it to come true.

“You truly have grown old. In your prime, you would have at least taken my arm.”

“So my words never reached you? Are you still chasing a future that doesn’t exist?”

“You don’t get to decide that. Die with this world.”

Masfelt Freak and Elzen Freak.

A father and son bound by blood, once master and disciple, now crossing swords and scattering sparks. What conclusion awaited at the end of this tragic battle?