[Erosion degree 90%]
time is evening.
I came to my senses in the middle of the silent forest.
How long have you been like this?
Why was I just sitting there in a daze?
no, i know know the cause But why do I know the cause?
“why… … ?”
I couldn’t accept it.
It didn’t make sense that I was grieving his death.
Was it like this? Am I in so much pain, even though it must have been the death of Salem, who was no different from a crippling enemy?
Was I thinking of him as family? Why?
“This is Oz’s… … .”
The memories and emotions of Oz that are eroding inside me. If that’s the case, I understand. But maybe I can’t even finish the words.
“no.”
When he said he didn’t care if I wasn’t Oz, when he still called me his son.
It must be because I couldn’t deny that I had accepted that fact.
“Uweeek!”
Is it because I spent a lot of mana, or is it because of another reason?
My stomach is nauseous and my head is dizzy.
How did it happen?
Only such thoughts run through my head.
I already know the answer
He denied the answer several times and tried to run away.
Janus cut everything for one, but I didn’t risk anything and tried to keep everything.
The difference in mindset made this result. It’s a complete defeat.
The other person bet everything, but wanting to overturn it with simple individual efforts is just… … .
“… … It was greed.”
yeah that’s why i lost I had no choice but to lose.
As a result. He lost the barrier that protected the forefront of mankind called the [King of Darkness].
no, lost
the only one in this world
Even though he knew about my secret, he understood and accepted it all.
it was my family
The moment you recognize that fact, the moment you accept it. There is a fleeting sense of fulfillment and an endless emptiness.
time close to winter.
A cold wind blows fiercely in the desolate forest.
A pitch-dark night where even the sun disappeared.
It was cold. It was just unbearably cold.
My body is shaking, so I want to crouch with my shoulders hugged for 30 minutes.
with my daughter
A familiar sound came.
Something I’ve never heard of here. But the kind of sound that clearly exists in my memory.
when you open the door. Or the sound of the scenery as it sways in the wind.
“House… … ?”
Only then did I know where I had arrived.
I just crouched down in despair and couldn’t see ahead.
The place where Salem sent me was a place with a small tree house.
* * *
A well-appointed treehouse.
It has a strong rustic feel, but modern landscapes are visible here and there.
“here… … .”
Could it have been the place where the people living in the neighborhood that Salem were talking about lived?
I do not know. I came in to warm up my cold body, but I’m not motivated.
“What should I do… … ?”
Sitting on a neat bed, I keep thinking about it.
I am defeated.
It’s on a different level from the defeats I’ve experienced before.
Previously, there was an opportunity to make up for it. But this time it’s different.
In the end, I couldn’t stop Janus and Salem died because of it.
“How can I… … .”
How on earth could I have won?
The real scary thing about Janus isn’t the magic skills on par with Oz, nor the power of a key that can cross space.
The real scary thing about him is his firm belief in a goal that he can even cut off his limbs if need be.
But to that guy.
It took a lot of preparation to defeat such a monster.
“If you knew… … .”
The biggest reason for this defeat.
Until Lena’s approach, he was unaware of any situation.
My memory based on game knowledge was useless.
It would have been different if I had known.
could have prepared could have responded.
But that’s just an assumption.
“Unless you can turn back time, these assumptions… … .”
That moment.
I was so flustered that I remembered not paying attention.
– Don’t turn back time any more.
Salem said not to turn back time. Then Oz could turn back time.
When I think about that word, all the pieces fit together.
Memories of the game I had.
Even the overwhelming talent of the original Oz, who can use all magic.
Even the moment when Salem came and got angry at him for stealing his magic.
“return… … .”
If so, that explains it.
The inconsistent memories that I couldn’t understand, and the scenes that didn’t connect.
“Yes, if it is a regression… … !”
If he had such power, he might be able to turn the tide of the war.
“Find a way… … noodle… … .”
But it didn’t take long for that passion to cool down.
– A person who does not fail does not know how to grow. So you feel the failure keenly. You have to learn to rise above it.
The words Salem said caught my ankle again.
“What do you mean by looking at me… … .”
If you find a way to regress, you will be able to make up for all the failures so far. But can I?
Salem said. He said that he had to learn how to feel failure and rise above it.
Then you should get up.
then how? How am I supposed to rise above this failure?
Can I beat Janus in my current state? do you have the strength to do that?
I don’t know. I’m not confident anymore
Yes, it’s like being cornered by an outsider. I couldn’t do anything but just sit still.
* * *
He agonized over countless families, making plans and discarding them.
It was just like falling asleep and waking up repeatedly.
I was just killing time under this little treehouse.
“hahahaha… … .”
I really don’t know now.
Not sure. I can’t figure out a way to take him down.
He is stronger than me, meticulous, and ruthless.
If I enlist Tia as an ally, she will enlist the king of ‘outside beings’.
Perhaps Tia was murdered through such circumstances in the original work as well.
I’d rather have Salem alive.
Yes, in that case, we could have discussed a way somehow.
If so… … .
“What on earth is death?”
“mind… … lee?”
A twilight moonlit night that continued such anguish. At such a time when the moonlight comes through the window.
Sitting under the moonlight, ‘Marie Sistus’ asked me.
“Losing is painful.”
She said the loss that comes after someone’s death is painful.
“I am afraid of parting.”
She said she was afraid that they would never see each other again.
“Do you think death is the end? Or do you want it?”
Mari, as usual, was expressionless, but today she looked a bit creepy.
“Unfortunately not.”
Like a flower that blooms in the dark.
She was wearing a fleeting smile that seemed like she would lose her tomorrow.
“Death is waiting.”
Under the moonlight, her flowing hair was assimilating with darkness in a place where light did not reach.
The area around her gray eyes is dyed black.
It is the same as when using the power of the key.
She now has the power of death wrapped around her body.
“Death in this world is not the end. Because there is a heaven and there is an underworld. And the reincarnating soul.”
“What do you want to say? mind… … .”
During the conversation, a very obvious question now comes to mind.
“… … No, Marie can’t be here.”
There is no way that anyone else can enter this space where the precious memories of Salem dwell.
There’s no way anyone other than me would talk like this.
And above all.
She can’t be here now.
“Is it Thanatos?”
“Well… … .”
Something in the shape of Marie wanted to stroke her chin, and soon began to be engulfed in fraud.
“I was thinking of picking one that’s easier to talk to, but if this is more comfortable.”
Black armor and feathered wings, proof that he was once an angel.
Gray eyes shining through the helmet.
The king of the dead covered in fraud.
“Let’s talk in this form.”
[King] Thanatos.
They are stunned by the fact that he has invaded Salem’s residence.
movement could not be predicted.
Just like Janus… … .
No, the situation is worse as the purpose cannot be guessed.
“How did you get in?”
“Where death is scattered, I am always there. Because the more souls stained with pain, screams, and resentment, the stronger the morale there.”
The terror of ＜Spellage＞ has spread the death too much. That’s why Thanatos was able to open the door between ＜Underworld＞ and ＜Spellage＞.
That’s what the guy claims.
Worst case scenario. Just because he appeared, you can guess how confused ＜Spellage＞ must be right now.
“This time, I had a ‘Demi-Rich’ as a bonus, so it wasn’t as much as you expected.”
Thanatos said with a sneer.
You see through what I’m thinking.
A monster with strength, power, and even insight into people.
There is nothing I can do in this situation. If he wields a sword, he’ll be killed without a hitch.
Still, he wouldn’t do that.
“What do you want to say?”
“flaw… … .”
If that was the purpose in the first place, there is no reason to keep me alive.
Even if you want to get information or something from me.
He is the king of death who transcends even death and can hold onto even those who are dead and out of life.
“What lies behind death is not ‘the end’ but ‘waiting’.”
Attitude like a machine.
Thanatos just continued his words as if he didn’t care what kind of response I took.
“Life is born and goes on a journey called life. The end point is death. Then when you reach the end point. Will that life end? no… … . We still have a stage of waiting.”
“wait… … .”
“Yes, there is an underworld in this world. There is a heavenly world and there is reincarnation. There are people, angels, and undead.”
Yes, death in this world is not the end. Heaven and Hell. Wasn’t that place clearly identified?
then. Perhaps… … .
“Salem… … . Did you fall to the underworld?”
“Well, I’m not sure about that.”
“… … .”
Unexpectedly, Thanatos was evasive.
Whether he went to ＜Underworld＞ or ＜Heaven＞, whether he was reincarnated, or whether his worn-out soul disappeared as it was.
Nothing was affirmed. I just raised the possibility.
He said that he was in ＜Underworld＞ and that he was holding the soul.
If he had said that, he could have threatened me.
But he didn’t. If so, why?
“Ain’s successor. There is no such thing as eternity in this world.”
The eerie voice was much lower than usual.
as if depressed.
like sad… … .
“I am still waiting.”
“What… … ?”
“Ain’s successor.”
The door began to open behind Thanatos’ back. Beyond that, he could see the landscape of the wilderness dyed black, the ＜Underworld＞.
“You will definitely come to the underworld someday.”
“… … .”
“You will put an end to my wait. So you… … .”
Before long, the ＜Underworld＞ door completely swallowed Thanatos’ body.
He went back to where he was supposed to be.
His words were full of noise in the process of being engulfed in fraud… … .
“Let’s overcome now… … Called?”
Said so.
I didn’t hear it wrong. It is certainly.
He left those words as if he was trying to encourage me.
“under!”
I live and live, so I don’t want to be ridiculous, so now even my enemies worry about me.
No, are you worried? He must have something to decorate in his own way.
Even so, the voice was surprisingly soft.
I felt that they cared about me. Do you mean that much?
“Damn it… … .”
Are you saying I’m so pitiful that my son is worried about me now?
I can’t stand it because I’m pathetic myself. What is this like now?
I have to do something.
You can’t sit around like a loser like this.
You have to move.
Time is still flowing.
The flow of Eleanor and the main story will continue to flow while I stand still.
Yeah, I have to do something, but… … .
“What am I… … .”
A vague fear that cannot be guessed why prevents it.
This failure was great.
It was my decision and it was the time I built up. The result is this.
There are definitely things that have improved because of the choices I have made, but there are also things that have gotten worse.
know. That was something I was prepared for when I decided to change the flow of the main story.
However, when the irreversible results were cast in front of me like this, I was afraid and could not move forward.
“I… … .”
He was just a coward who was afraid of losing, defending himself by saying that he was arrogant and self-righteous.
“Anything… … . do something… … .”
Yes, I know it can’t go on like this. I had to do something.
Even simple things are fine. eating or taking a walk. Whatever it is, it’s good, so you have to move.
But the legs are heavy.
Even at this moment ＜Spellage＞ would be confused, but my colleagues would be waiting for me.
For some reason, I couldn’t move easily, as if my feet were shackled.
It is because of the sadness of loss and the fear of failure.
that short time.
I never knew I would value my relationship with Salem so much.
that one defeat.
I didn’t know I was so weak and cowardly.
Still have to move.
That’s why I tried to lead my body and somehow move forward… … .
“Ugh!”
Unfortunately, I tripped on my feet and rolled across the floor.
“Damn it.”
get up again
I grabbed a nearby chair, grabbed the table, and forcibly stood up with my heavy body as if wet.
But after raising my body like that, I could see ‘it’.
“That… … .”
Yes, I saw a ‘diary’ lying on the table as if it were showing off.