Episode 21

“What is that supposed to be?”

“A spell that erased the monster we saw on the way here. A larger-scale version of that has been applied to this entire space… It must have been recreating this situation.”

“So they used monsters as stand-ins for us… What a disgusting taste.”

“But if it’s you, Sage-sama, surely you have some plan! Something to break us out of this!”

“…There is indeed a technique to nullify magic. However, it requires completely seizing control of the target spell or being able to cast the exact same magic. I saw this spell for the first time today.”

“Then…?”

“…I am truly, deeply sorry.”

Despair wrapped around everyone. Some stared up at the heavens, some sank to the floor, some clasped their hands in prayer.

“I figured a day like this would come someday, but I didn’t think it’d be today.”

“I had no such plan in my schedule…”

“…What a regret.”

Their faces each told a different story.

“I wanted to learn so many more spells…”

“Even now you’re going on about magic? I should’ve stuffed myself while I had the chance.”

“…That’s hardly any different.”

Everyone thought the same thing. They had seen and heard of countless casualties because of their line of work, yet they assumed they would be fine—that they were somehow special—though death visited everyone equally.

“The magic circle’s light is blinking a little faster each time. This is honestly the worst.”

“When this light dies down, we’re… what, finished?”

“Maria-sama, please guide us sinners.”

They had wanted to become knights and perform heroic feats like in the tales.

They had wanted to be mages who could wield many spells.

They had wanted to heal the wounds of many people.

Dreams imagined in childhood—learned from parents, friends, and hero legends. For many reasons they learned, became interested, dreamed, and found goals.

There was nothing strange about it. Everyone wanted to become something.

“…Sage-sama, Glanz. Please see to what comes after.”

“That will not do. As commander of this survey unit, I must see this through to the very end.”

The eerie flicker of light did not stop.

“I see… The Sage can use transfer magic. In that case—”

“We can at least deliver word of this reality.”

Little by little, the entire space began to groan.

“A dungeon this dangerous must be sealed… or there will be many casualties.”

“Right. Make sure you tell them—about us as well.”

Perhaps due to the magic’s influence, the color drained from the ore.

“At most, I can transfer two people… That would be meaningless.”

“Two, huh. —Then take the brat.”

“Agreed. He was mouthing off, but if I think about it now, he was probably worrying about us.”

Each person addressed Zeke. At first, because he was the son of the infamous House of Lagias, they had been wary. After traveling together, their impression only got worse.

He looked down on people, insulted them, and pushed them away—a self-centered, textbook example of a corrupt noble.

“You’re really not honest at all, are you? Keep that up and you won’t have a single friend when you grow up.”

“You may not understand now, but I think a day will come when you do.”

Even so, every member of the survey unit understood. They had many doubts, but looking only at the outcomes, his actions had helped them.

Sensing something, he had been trying to keep everyone away from this dungeon—away from this space. Behind his scathing words hid a kindness that was hard to see.

(What is wrong with these people…?)

“Sage-sama, Glanz. Are we… dying like dogs?”

“I refuse to acknowledge such a thing.”

(Why aren’t they trying to save themselves when they’re the ones about to die…?)

“If so… please don’t let the meaning of our lives be lost.”

“…”

“Tell them we fulfilled our duties properly.”

(This isn’t a game—you don’t get to reload.)

“…”

“P-please… before we change our minds…”

(Why won’t they put themselves first? Something is wrong with all of them. Every last one.)

“…I have received your wishes—clearly and completely. I will carry out my duty as well.”

There was no longer any hesitation in Glanz’s eyes. The “Sage,” recognized by the kingdom, stood there—and beside the Sage stood one other.

“I’ve kept quiet and listened, and you say whatever you please. I’ve not fallen so low as to accept your charity.”

There stood the “villain” everyone hated.

“You know, we had just gotten everyone on the same page.”

“If you want to stage a play, do it somewhere else. How trivial.”

“Hey, kid. As you can see, we don’t have time.”

The groaning of the space intensified, and it began to shake. Time really did seem to be running out.

“Exactly—we don’t have time. So shut up already.”

His tone left no room for objection. He clearly had something in mind.

“Glanz… get ready.”

“…I intend to. I’m going to use transfer magic now.”

“Are you stupid? What we’re doing is spatial transfer.”

Glanz’s expression stiffened.

Transfer magic and spatial transfer sounded similar, but in practice they were very different.

Transfer magic moved only the target to another space. Because it was literal “transfer,” you needed to grasp the target and the destination precisely and understand the concept of space itself. It also required enormous mana to activate, and like fire or water attributes, only those with the aptitude could handle it.

Years of research by the kingdom’s mages had finally unraveled it, and only when the talented Glanz applied that work did it become usable. In short, Glanz could be called the leading expert in transfer magic.

“Spatial transfer does exist in theory… but the technique has not yet been established.”

Spatial transfer designated the target as the space itself—in other words, a spell that could transfer everyone existing within that space to another location.

“Mages know it as a desk theory. …But you, you’re surprisingly well informed.”

Even transferring a single target demanded tremendous mana, aptitude, technique, and experience. To transfer an entire space, all of those were essential—along with complete mastery of the concept of space.

“If it’s not established, then establish it here and now.”

“…Listen, boy. The concept of space is not as simple as words make it. And it’s almost unheard of to witness related magic with your own eyes.”

“Are those glasses just for show? Get a proper pair when you get back. …If you want to witness it, conditions don’t get more tailor-made than this.”

For the first time, the usually unflappable Glanz showed open agitation.

“…Don’t tell me—this ancient magic.”

“Impossible! Using an unproven spell in a live situation? At worst, you’ll injure your own body with your mana!”

The amount of mana one possessed varied greatly from person to person—due to race, bloodline, talent, and more. Some gave up on magic and followed the path of the sword; others did the opposite.

And even if you had mana, that didn’t mean you could use every spell.

What attributes and types of magic you could use also varied by person. Forcing a spell you couldn’t truly use would only fizzle. You needed to understand how the magic worked, have the required mana, and possess the aptitude.

If you forced it, your mana could explode inside you and burn your body; if you tried to draw out mana recklessly, it could cost you your life.

“That’s a foolish argument. Stand there like an idiot and you’ll die anyway. …So we do it.”

“To weigh lives we can save for certain on a scale—such conduct, I—”

“Going senile already? You were the one lecturing us, weren’t you? ‘Work with others,’ you said, all high and mighty.”

“!? If you mean cooperation, then…”

The flicker quickened another notch, and the collapse of the space began. Very little time remained.

“You focus on transfer. I’ll seize the space. If your mana falls short, I’ll lend you some… and collect later.”

Zeke began constructing the spell. Analyzing the magic before him, he swiftly kneaded and assembled mana.

“Hey! What’s the kid starting over there?”

“Quiet. That’s the one thing we can do right now.”

(He is mastering unknown magic in this short span…?)

Glanz began his own chant as well. He poured all of his mana into a single spell. Failure… was not an option.

“…Preparations on my end are complete.”

“Hmph. So you haven’t wasted all those years. Match me—just like that.”

Vast mana gushed from both of them. What had clashed so strongly began to harmonize, melding together.

“Even a layperson can tell—what ridiculous mana.”

“This feels… less like mana and more like…”

“I get the old man, but why is the brat that insane too!?”

(They should be coordinating for the first time… yet it feels like old comrades.)

What never happened in the original story began here: the “villain” (Zeke) and the Sage (Glanz) performed a “Unison Link.”

There was no time left until collapse.

—Just before ruin, prismatic light blanketed the space.

“Raomdel.”

Enveloped in light, every member of the survey unit vanished—without being swallowed by the eerie glow.

—When they came to, they had all been relocated to the dungeon’s entrance.