Episode 29

Tret and Atri had vanished, leaving the others behind. The air filled with tension did not disperse, and agitation and confusion spread.

“H-huh? Where did that girl disappear to?”

“I do not know. But……”

“The situation is the worst. If they ran away, that would be one thing, but if it was teleportation, there is no way to chase them.”

Their presences had vanished. There was no sign that they had moved to a spot a short distance away either. Tret had been one step ahead. They had been completely outmaneuvered.

“Atri……”

Van fell to his knees, dazed.

A dry wind blew through the gap between Van’s outstretched fingers.

“Glanz. Can you grasp Atri’s presence? Is there any clue?”

“As Yorn-san said, it will be difficult. To accurately determine her location in this vast world, we would need to have prepared magic or a magic tool in advance……”

Selen and Glanz tried to calmly assess the situation. And it was not just the two of them. The others also racked their brains, wondering whether there was some way to break through the situation, but no answer came. There was nothing they could do.

“……To begin with, what exactly is this ‘Guide’?”

“That’s true…… The ‘keys’ and ‘Watchman’ too.”

“Were they words related to the origin of the nation? I would think the people of the ducal house know them well.”

It was possible to predict that the words such as “keys” were involved in the entire series of disturbances shaking the nation. ……It could not be helped that those who did not know the circumstances would think that way.

(Damn it, again……)

In the original story, Zeke had abducted Mistraze—the heroine. Instigated by Pariaach, he kidnapped the heroine, the “Guide,” to the Lagias Domain without knowing the circumstances. As a result, the Lagias couple, who could be called Zeke’s only family, were forced to fulfill their role as “Watchmen.”

(I knew substitutes could be used.)

He had predicted it. If Zeke did not move, someone else would come after the heroine. But he had never imagined they would come straight at them when this many people were present. The fact that Pariaach’s formula had been planted in the heroine was also unexpected. ……As was the fact that his mana had run dry.

(Zeke should have been able to deal with it. ……I’m doing nothing but making excuses.)

“We do not know where they are right now. ……However, I have a guess as to their destination.”

“What? If you know, then say it sooner. So where should we head?”

Even without relying on Aktor, he knew where the destination was. It was a place Zeke—Hiroto—had visited many times until now, and for Zeke, it was the most familiar place. It was also the place that meant the end of the “Watchmen”—Lagias.

“……Unfortunately, even if we hurry, we will not make it in time due to the distance. —This was her fate.”

“You…… Do you understand what you are saying?”

“Yes, more than you do. And after understanding it, I judge that we should abandon her.”

Selen showed anger, and Van’s face filled with despair.

Hiroto could understand the meaning of Aktor’s words and the judgment he had made.

In terms of roles, once the “Guide” had fulfilled her role, she would lose her reason for existing. Then, in conjunction with the “Guide” whose role had ended, the “Watchmen” would appear.

“Could you explain so everyone can understand? That is the bad habit you people have.”

“Nothing will change even if you know, nor can anything be changed. Everything was decided the moment she was abducted. ……The enemy was one step ahead.”

The Lagias who turned into Watchmen would head to the entrance of the path leading to the Gate to the Otherworld. In other words, they would judge the heroine to be the first external enemy and carry out a slaughter. They had no emotions and no reason. They would simply fulfill their role according to their oath.

No matter how much power the heroine had gained, she was not someone who could oppose them alone.

“You look unconvinced. ……Their final destination is the Lagias Domain.”

“……The Lagias Domain. That is not merely far from here.”

The Hidden-World Ruins were located at the northernmost edge of the Kingdom of Diabalet. No matter how much they hurried from here, it would likely take a week. If they took rest time and encounters with monsters into account, it would take even longer. He could not imagine Elzen and the others waiting for that amount of time.

“Brother Aktor. If they take Atri-san to the Lagias Domain, what exactly will happen?”

“The path connecting to the Gate to the Otherworld will appear. That is her role as the one called the ‘Guide.’ And the ones who protect that path are the ‘Watchmen’—that is the mission of Lagias.”

Everyone’s gaze gathered on Zeke.

“B-but that Zeke is here, and I do not really understand what you mean by abandoning Atri-san. And what even is the Gate to the Otherworld……”

“‘Watchmen’ does not refer to him, of course, but to the current lord, his father, and that man’s wife—in other words, his parents. Once awakened, the Watchmen will attack anyone who approaches the path without question. —They will lose their humanity and become slaughtering dolls. Eternally, until they die.”

“No……”

Both in terms of the scenario and the state of this world, Hiroto had known that the Lagias couple would not meet a decent end. Hiroto himself had understood that and thought it could not be helped.

The evil deeds they had committed until now could never be forgiven, nor could they possibly be fully repaid. They had tormented innocent people in their domain and, at times, had even taken their lives. It was only natural that they would meet a tragic end. ……And yet, what was this unease in his chest? He could not shake the feeling that he was overlooking something. Whose emotion was this?

“No matter how skilled she may be in martial arts, she cannot stand against the awakened Watchmen. It is the same as sacred arts being a power that surpasses human knowledge.”

“Wait. ……Then Zeke’s parents are……”

“Once they awaken, they cannot return to normal. Not until they die. That is why I judged that we should abandon her. At this point, this is an incident that threatens the survival of the nation—no, the world itself. We must seal off the Lagias Domain without provoking the Watchmen.”

From Elzen and the others’ perspective as well, the awakened Lagias couple would be a serious problem. They were, in a sense, equal to the spirit—god—factors that Elzen’s side used as their tactical trump cards.

From their perspective, all they had to do was abandon the heroine at a certain point in the Lagias Domain. Once the path appeared, it no longer mattered whether the protagonists arrived in time or too late. The only difference would be whether they fought to protect the heroine or fought to avenge her. It was a plan to force the protagonists to dispose of the troublesome “Watchmen.”

“We are not in a position to waste our strength on unnecessary things right now. Do you understand?”

“That still…… isn’t a reason to abandon Atri.”

“Then will you fight? Against his parents? Can you kill his parents?”

“!? That’s……”

It was likely a painful question for Van. His own father was involved in the series of incidents. If he would kill someone else’s parents, would he kill his own as well? That was what Aktor was pressing him with.

“Well, whatever we do, we will not make it in time. Not unless we have some way to clear the restrictions of time and distance.”

“……Assuming various things are resolved, what about moving the Lords of Lagias somewhere far away in advance?”

“If they are alive, nothing changes. If they are killed before they become dangerous—he will become the new ‘Watchman.’”

That too was one of the scenarios Hiroto feared in a certain sense. That was why he had been thinking of sacrificing the Lagias couple. If things proceeded according to the scenario, at least the protagonists would somehow handle the heroine.

“Obviously, that story is not an option for me. If it means sacrificing my friend, then I would rather have her die with dignity. ……Of course, it is already too late for both her and the Lords of Lagias.”

Make the Lagias couple fulfill their role as “Watchmen.” If the situation became the same as in the original story, he would no longer need to side with the heroine or, of course, the protagonists.

Once the path appeared and they became Watchmen, at the very least, Zeke—Hiroto—would be freed from the curse of Lagias. Everything would be over. It would finally be over. Had he not acted until now for that very purpose? Had he not desperately gained power in order to survive? ……And yet.

“……Sage. How much mana do you have left?”

“Even if I were in perfect condition, teleporting directly to the Lagias Domain would be impossible. ……Even with Unison Link with you, Zeke-san.”

Glanz was calmly analyzing the situation.

It was not enough to merely arrive in the Lagias Domain. They would have to fight the awakened “Watchmen.” If Glanz, the cornerstone of their magic, was exhausted at that stage, there would be no point.

“Simon. Bring out a map.”

“Yes, here it is.”

He spread out the map Simon handed him.

It was not merely a matter of distance. There was also a limit on the number of people. If only one or two people teleported and were defeated, everything would be for nothing.

“We will teleport to this town. After that, we will prepare horses and head to the Lagias Domain.”

“……Even then, the distance is too great.”

“Then is there another way? ……There is no other move. We just have to do it.”

“Zeke-san. You have no mana left. ……If you push yourself recklessly again, this time you will die.”

“I won’t die. Not until I fulfill my ambition.”

Glanz directed a stronger gaze than ever toward him. The way he glared at him was not simply anger. The feeling that he was genuinely worried came through.

(Why does this old man care about Zeke, the villain? It would be many times easier if he rejected me……)

“Listen, you pieces of trash. We will narrow down the number from among you and head to the Lagias Domain. Any idiot who wants to save that woman can come with me. I will show you hell.”

Though he said they would narrow the number down, the relevant people had already been decided. The rest depended on their own feelings. ……If they dropped out here, then they truly had no value. They would never be able to stop Elzen. ……Nor would they be able to save the world.

“Van, you failure. This is a seed sown by your own family. I will make you take responsibility. And your companions too.”

He chose the original party members: Van, Ciel, Selen, Glanz, and Luke. If there had been room, he would have wanted to bring others as well, but the more people there were, the more mana consumption would jump. The accuracy of the teleportation magic would likely drop too.

“There is no guarantee of your lives. The chances of saving that woman are also low. Even so, will you struggle against this absurd reality?”

There was no relationship of trust between Zeke and Van’s group. They were people who had tried to take each other’s lives. In that case, Simon’s group would be more trustworthy. Kratz and Eris might be inferior in terms of combat strength. Aaron was also exhausted. Even taking those things into account, the latter group would offer more possibilities.

“Of course I’m going. Especially if you are.”

“Atri-san is an important friend. She is our companion.”

“Zeke. I will not let you shoulder the burden alone.”

“I will accompany you until the very end.”

Even so, the ones Hiroto chose were the original party members. Of course, it was also to make them take responsibility. Since the scenario had been forced onto him, there was also the idea of turning it against itself.

“You are the only one left.”

“I……”

Zeke snatched away the charm hanging from Van’s waist, the one engraved with the Freak Trading Company’s mark, and crushed it. If Tret’s story was true, Van’s location was completely exposed. Either way, they needed to deal with it.

Hesitation, fear, anxiety. The current Van’s behavior was nothing like what one would expect from a protagonist. No matter who looked at him, he would not be useful as combat strength. He was nothing but dead weight. —Even so.

“I’ll go…… Of course I’ll go. I’ll save Atri. For now, that’s enough.”

Hiroto wanted to bet on him. He would probably be of no use at all. But in the end, he would definitely win. Because that was what a protagonist was.

“……We will fly using Unison Link between me and the Sage. Do not think about anything unnecessary. Focus only on saving that woman.”

There were several methods for gathering the insufficient mana.

The Dragon Formation used by the divine dragon he had fought in Ignote, a technique that gathered mana from the atmosphere.

Life Absorber, which forcibly stole life force and mana from others, and Mana Demand.

Using the powers he had acquired to survive in order to help someone else, shaving away his life in the process, was the height of foolishness. ……The choices Zeke—Hiroto—could make right now were limited.

(If I need to generate mana efficiently in a short time, then there’s only Life Convert left.)

“Sage, prepare yourself. You pieces of trash. Once we teleport, seize horses or carriages. Then head straight for the Lagias Domain.”

His mana overlapped with Glanz’s. Their first Unison Link had been in the Lagias Dungeon. That time, the situation had also been urgent, and this time was the same. Including the fact that failure was not allowed.

Severe pain ran through his body. His head hurt as though it would split open. Heat drained from his body. The recoil of Life Convert ate away at him. —He nearly grimaced at the unfamiliar sensation, but something warm flowed into him.

This was—Mana Supply.

Eris, Kratz, Simon, Yorn, Aaron, and Aktor used Mana Supply on Zeke. Zeke looked dazed and confused.

“What kind of face is that? Anyone can do at least this much, you know?”

“Even if I cannot go with you, I will cooperate. Well, in my case, I’m too weak to fight alongside you.”

Due to the nature of Mana Supply, there was a limit to the amount of mana that could be transferred at once. The recipient also needed to receive the mana in a way that allowed it to acclimate to their own body. In reality, from the perspective of mana recovery, it was inefficient. —Unless the recipient was special.

“The one who changed the private army when it was beginning to rot was you, Lord Zeke. I will fight with you until the very end.”

“We’ve come this far, after all. Well, do your best.”

The disrupted wavelengths of Zeke and Glanz gradually calmed and began to overlap.

“My friend. Show us your elegant dance, as always.”

“This is unlike you. You always force things through, do you not? Why not do the same this time?”

Iridescent light enveloped Zeke, Glanz, and Van’s group. Through the synergistic effect, the two men’s mana swelled many times over.

“Oh, right. I almost forgot. I’ll give you this too.”

What Kratz handed to Zeke was an ordinary saber issued to soldiers of the Republic of Ignote. However, unlike an ordinary one, a blue jewel was embedded in the hilt.

“It’s a fragment from the shattered jewel of Leviathan. You can use it like a magic sword too, but…… if it’s you.”

The minuscule amount of mana in the atmosphere gathered into the saber. The nature of the power once used by the divine dragon had been reproduced splendidly. Zeke’s eyes widened, as though even he was surprised.

“I can’t use it in such an advanced way, but as I thought, you seem to have no problem with it.”

It was not only Zeke. The expressions of Glanz, Yorn, and others knowledgeable in magical studies also changed. If a weapon like this was being given to a single soldier, the military power of the Republic of Ignote was a threat. A faraway foreign nation with no diplomatic relations with them—they needed to revise their understanding of it.

“Zeke. It does not matter what anyone says. You are the hero who saved our nation and rescued us. Have confidence. I am sure it will be all right.”

“Hmph, doing unnecessary things. ……I will repay this debt twofold.”

His mana swelled all at once. The air trembled and crackled.

“I will give you just one final piece of advice.”

Zeke’s and Aktor’s gazes met. The first meeting between these two had also been terrible. That it had changed this much proved one never knew what life would bring.

“You likely know many things, but you do not know everything, do you?”

“……”

“The number of beings who truly understand the nation’s circumstances and the roots of this world is limited. I am one of them, but because of an oath, I cannot speak of it.”

Just as the “Watchmen”—Lagias—became the sword of the “Wishers”—Diabalet—the ducal house also had some sort of role. Aktor was indirectly conveying that.

“However…… the one who knows everything is exempt from that oath. —The King of Diabalet.”

“……”

“This is as far as I can compromise. The rest depends on you. ……I pray for your good fortune.”

With Aktor’s words as the last thing they heard, Zeke and the others were covered in iridescent light and vanished.